Derek Yee

Tzi Ma: Actor

Tzi Ma, Derek Yee

Tai Ma, a Hong Kong-born actor who transitioned from cultural isolation in Staten Island to a prominent stage and film career, advocates for substantive Asian-American representation through his upcoming projects like *The Farewell* and the Netflix series *Wu Assassins*. He highlights a shifting industry landscape driven by the demographic spending power of the 23 million Asian-American consumers, noting increased opportunities for Asian-American women directors while criticizing the Writers Guild of America's lack of diversity. Beyond his own roles in major productions such as *Mulan*, Ma actively mentors emerging talent and employs a participatory casting approach to challenge script inconsistencies and foster authentic storytelling.