Jae-Ha Kim
Hartford Courant
January 28, 2020
Once an accountant, Wengie is better known these days for her music, Whimsical By Wengie toy line for Target and her popular YouTube channel. Splitting her time between Los Angeles and Sydney, Australia, the beauty influencer recently was nominated for the 12th Annual Shorty Awards’ YouTuber of the Year. Fans may stay in touch with Wengie on Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
Q. You’ve filmed music videos around the world. Can you tell me about some of the places you chose?
A. My whole mission in music is to spread love of different cultures. I grew up in Australia, so I had to shoot a music video there. We shot “Ugly Christmas Sweater” in Australia. It was such a special project because we did everything ourselves, which made it even more exciting when I saw it trend No. 1 on YouTube! We shot “Mr. Nice Guy” in the Philippines. My best friend growing up was Filipino, so I really wanted to do something there. We cut three versions — English, Tagalog and one a mix of the two languages. We shot “Empire” (with) Minnie of (G)I-DLE in South Korea. This was one of my most special collaborations, because I’ve loved K-Pop since a young age. I got to work with one of my favorite girl group members. It was a dream come true.
Q. Female empowerment has always been important to you. In your travels, have you been surprised at how girls and women are represented in their respective countries?
A. I can’t really comment from just visiting a country. I don’t want to misjudge the situation. I will say we obviously have a lot of room for improvement on a global scale. I hope through my music I can inspire and empower girls and women internationally.
Q. How have your travels inspired your work as an artist and as a businesswoman?
A. I love learning about other cultures and what makes them do what they do. And the beautiful thing is that you realize no matter where you live, we essentially are all the same. We love and fight and believe and get motivated by music and people. This inspires me so much to keep doing what I do.
Q. What was the first trip you took as a child?
A. China to visit my extended family. I loved it. It was so good seeing everyone in my family again.
Q. What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A. To be on time and to have data roaming for GPS! Things that really ruin my trips are missing my plane or getting lost. Another rookie mistake is not checking what your destination uses for GPS.
Q. Where is the most romantic destination?
A. I love anywhere that’s really high with a skyline. For some reason I do find it romantic. Paris is pretty romantic, though. It’s the mix of architecture and art.
Q. If you’ve ever gone away for the holidays, which was the best trip?
A. My favorite trip for Christmas was going to Tokyo with one of my friends and it snowed. It was my first white Christmas, because in Australia Christmas is during the summertime.
Q. Do you speak any foreign languages?
A. I speak English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Q. Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A. San Diego. It was uncannily like Melbourne and Sydney. Downtown Seattle seemed pretty familiar, too.
Q. Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A. The Maldives. It looks so beautiful there.
Q. When you go away, what are some of your must-have items?
A. I have to have face masks because my skin gets super dry when traveling. Another must-have is my 3-in-1 charger that has all the plugs. I also bring an extra battery for my phone and noise-canceling headphones.
Q. What is your guilty pleasure when you’re on the road?
A. Food. I feel like my healthy eating plan goes out the window when I travel, but I’m not complaining. I always try the local favorites when I travel.
Q. What kind of research do you do before you go away on a trip?
A. I actually rarely do research before going on a trip. I like to experience new places without any preconceived thoughts. If I have questions while I’m there, I’ll look it up. I love to just ask the locals, since I feel that’s where you get the real stuff!
Q. What is your best vacation memory?
A. I loved my recent trip to Seoul to film the “Empire” music video. That whole trip was so amazing, and a dream come true.
© 2020 JAE-HA KIM
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