Recently in Beautiful People Category

A few weeks ago I learned of the death of Kibibi Dillon.  My friend called me while I was at Starbuck's and told me that while on her comedy tour, Kibibi had died in a car accident.

I wanted to write about it but couldn't bring myself to do it till now.

I first met Kibibi backstage at Ensemble Studio Theatre where we were performing with the kids of the 52nd Street Project.  On our FIRST meeting, Kibibi was teaching someone to rap and I hung around them.  She flashed me a huge smile and gave me a hug.  According to her business card, hugs were her specialty.

On another night we found ourselves backstage, in the dressing room sharing funny sex tips.  She very emphatically and clearly gave us all advice that left one guy's mouth open and my girlfriend and I taking notes.

On stage she was that rare quality that makes a performer always interesting, even when standing still.  Kibibi had more talent and personality in her eyelash than a lot of actors do in their whole lifetime.  With her shock of a huge afro she was like a human exclamation point both in appearance and personality.

To say that she radiated love and was a really special person sounds trite but it's true.  When you were near Kibibi it felt like you were basking in the warm sunshine.  Her pure talent on and off stage, her energy, her wit and especially her hugs will be sorely missed.

For Christmas I got a $25 gift certificate for Barnes and Nobles (Thanks, Laurette!!) and though bookstores are becoming rare (though not extinct like Blockbuster Video stores) I found one and bought Mindy Kaling's book.  

A REALLY MILD BUT NOT REALLY SPOILER ALERT!!
I've just started the book and (without giving much away) came across a part where Mindy is showing her high school friends Monty Python videos.  It's a small incident that may or may not have a profound effect on their friendship.

THAT ALSO TOTALLY HAPPENED TO ME.

When I was in 8th grade, I was at a sleepover with two girls who, in the following year, would be crowned the most popular girls of high school.  I will call them Anne and Blane.  We were about to hit the sack when I decided to share a tape of Robin Williams' stand up.

Me:  "You guys HAVE to listen to this!".  (I can barely contain my snorting laughter) 

I pop in the tape into a radio and am ready for them to die with laughter along with me.

Anne:  (Yawns and rolls over)  I don't get it.

Blane:  Yea, it sounds like he's some pirate or something.

CLICK!  THE LIGHT IS TURNED OUT.

It wasn't just that they didn't like it or understand it, it was how they dismissed it and were not even open to it.

It was an omen that our friendship was not meant to be.  For the next four years, they would become gorgeous, blond and would talk about parties in front of other people who were not invited.  I would go into theater and drawing making me even more lame than being Korean in a small town in Maryland.

Some days in New York City, when an old lady rams my heels with a shopping cart or I'm groped on a crowded subway and get MAD, I remember where I grew up:  a lovely but boring and provincial place where I felt out of place and suffocated.   

An acting coach recently said:  "You didn't come to New York City for it to be easy."  This is true.  And I thank my two blondie friends who shot up to high school super stardom while I sat in my room listening to rap songs and making skits of their videos in my mind.  I thank them for giving me a large clue that I didn't belong with them and giving me hope that there was something bigger outside of our small town.

They are probably with five kids and divorced at least once and have gained a lot of weight.  And look at ME!  I'm in NEW YORK CITY, working random odd jobs and struggling to make it as an actress!  Sometimes my bank account dips into scary amounts and there is no hope of me ever owning a home.  HA HA, IN YOUR FACE ANNE AND BLANE! 

In conclusion, if you love comedy, check out Mindy's book.  She is LOVELY, SMART and HEELarious.  And unlike the many self improvement books on my kindle and iPad, I'm proud to read Is "Everyone Hanging Out Without Me" on the subway.

 


I'm a comedic actress and writer.  Please check out my web series, SuperTwins!

This week's Beautiful Person!

Have a lovely weekend!

xo,

Chance of Rain: 
Your life may never be the same.

NK:  What excites you about this project?
MG:  well, its the first time I'll be in a full on production with my husband, Philipp Wolter. He's also acting in this and directing. We've done little things here and there but this is the first full on project that we are really getting behind and both acting in. And I love love love collaboration. This is what I love about filmmaking - everything from wardrobe, to the cinematography to set design, to the writer's words, etc.... - its very exciting bringing talented people together and having a hand in all areas. Very satisfying.....and nerve wracking and scary and wonderful! I'm so excited about the people we have on board for this project. And of course being on set is always fun, being a part of telling what I believe is a great story. It just doesnt get any better than this.....
NK:  Who inspires you?
MG:  People who are out there doing good in the world, for those less fortunate. My mother. My mother in law. My girlfriends. My fellow NYC artists (cause I feel like we're all in it together. I have such a respect for the creative souls of NYC. There's a brother/sisterhood that I feel is so prevelant in the indie film world here - I'm just so happy to be part of it. I think its a great time to be in NYC creating your own work. Cate Blanchett certainly inspires me. Annette Benning. My yoga teacher Ruth. Pema Chodron. When someone sings with a soulful beautiful voice. And traveling was probably my first inspiration as a young adult. Seeing the world - I think its important to experience different cultures. To be aware that there is so much more out there than you and your micro environment. 

This week's theme seems to be: young people dressing to look like adults.  And they look great doing it.