Yue Xu is a full time actress, dancer, and on-air host based in Manhattan.  She has hosted for various shows on AMC, MTV, Nickelodeon and high profile websites, portrayed a wide range of roles in features and short films, danced her heart out from Madison Square Garden to the Matrix: Reloaded, and appeared in numerous regional and national commercials, print ads, and industrials.  In addition to performing, Yue also has discovered a love for writing and producing.  She is currently writing, directing, and starring in a pilot to be pitched to various networks in 2009.  

Of course, comic book fans know Yue from her exciting role as the super-villain called Bitter Pain in the super hero series Vixens of Virtue Vixens of Vice from 2121 Productions, which can be checked out at www.vixensofvirtuevixensofvice.com.  

Dynamic Forces’ Brian Hofacker caught up with Yue who was super enough to take a few minutes away from casting calls and conquering the world in order to answer a few questions about her career and life as a villain-heroine.   

BH: First off, can we be friends on myspace? 

YX: OK, as long as you're not a scantily clad woman who wants to tell me about my secret crush. 

BH: Okay, you’ve developed quite a resume, so before we get into your evil designs to take over the world as a Vixen of Vice, let’s talk about some of your other works, starting with your part in the Matrix: Reloaded! How did you get involved with the film, how cool was it, did you meet Neo and can you dodge a bullet? 

YX: It was such an awesome experience.  I was going to school in Northern California at the time and they were filming at an abandoned naval base in the area.  They put out a casting notice saying they were looking for 1000 extras, so naturally my friends and I signed up!  Well, lucky for me, at the extras casting call, they were also looking for featured dancers for a scene in Zion.  I auditioned for 2 days and got the part.  We had 2 more days of rehearsals and four 14-hr days on set.  It was exhausting but definitely a rare experience for a college student.  The unfortunate part was that we had the majority of our scenes with the talented Aaliyah, who was originally cast as Zee.  After the initial shooting, she was tragically killed in a plane crash.  It was an honor to work with her and we were all saddened by the news. 

And no, we never got to meet Neo.  He was too busy eating lobster and caviar on his side of craft services. 

BH: Another place comic book and pop culture fans can find you is hosting for Giant Realm TV. What experiences have you had there!

YX: Yes, GiantRealm.com is a hugely popular website for gamers and Giant Realm TV provides the video content for the site.  Since hosting for them, I have covered the Guinness Book of World Records for Gamers, the Air Band tour, Tribeca Film Festival, and the NY Comic Con just to name a few.  There's talks of covering even bigger events in the future so check back with GiantRealm.com often! 

BH:  And when you’re not fighting killer robots in the Matrix or hosting Giant Realm TV, you continually work in televisions and movies, host shows on the internet and have been featured in magazines. All this and you’re a part of the New York Titans Dance Team. Can you give us a run-down of your work? 

YX: Haha, I do a little bit of everything because frankly, life's too short.  I started out as a dancer in LA and then slowly made my transition into acting when I came to NY.  Soon after, I literally fell into hosting.  Right now, I am getting into writing and directing.  I can't wait to see what I'll stumble upon next. 

BH: Do you think you could teach me to dance? 

YX: Absolutely!  I love teaching people how to dance because it's not about the moves, it's about how the music makes you move. 

BH: I’m going to hold you to that, but I have to warn you, I barely have enough rhythm to play the radio. You may be the busiest super villain this side of Catwoman! How has all that been going for you? 

YX: I say it over and over again, I have been very lucky in the business so far.  When I quit my corporate career, 2 years ago, to pursue entertainment full time, I made a promise to myself: if I ever take a gig because I am in desperate need of money, then that's when I know this is not the business for me.  Thankfully, I have not reached that point, and hopefully will never get there. 

BH: What’s your middle name? ; ) 

YX: It's invisible.  Can't be seen with the human eye. 

BH: Now, for the Vixens…. Of course, comic book fans are familiar with you from your part in Vixens of Virtue Vixens of Vice. How did you land the role of Bitter Pain? 

YX: I went to an audition and read for Rob.  I guess I seemed evil enough to take over the world. 

BH: Vixens of Virtue Vixens of Vice is the story of six sisters, half super heroes and half villains. In the scheme of all this, who exactly is Bitter Pain? 

YX: That's a very good question because she is trying to figure that out for herself.  Obviously, she's different than the rest of the sisters.  Not only is she Asian and adopted, she is also torn between her sisters and her master, Shr-Lin, who pressures Bitter Pain to kill the sisters.  And on top of it all, she's got her non-Villain side as Serra Martin, an animal lover who works at a pet store.  I mean, I think Bitter Pain is about as confused as a teenager staring puberty. 

BH: What was your initial reaction to the concept of Vixens and the role of Bitter Pain? How appealing is it to play a villain? 

YX: I fell in love with the concept right away.  Strong women, in cute outfits, kicking ass?  That's every actor's dream.  And to play a villain was the cherry on top.  I've always played the good girl, but my bad girl was just dying to come out. 

BH: How much of yourself do you bring to Bitter Pain and did you model the character after any particular comic book character? 

YX: I see a lot of myself in Bitter Pain simply because she is a very relatable character.  Like most people in their 20's, she's going through an identity crisis and starting to question everything that's been taught to her.  She wants to go against the norm but needs to do it her way.  Bitter Pain is the ultimate villain because she is a good person at heart, yet she battles between what she wants to become versus what others want her to become. 

BH: Which was your favorite episode to work on? 

YX: Definitely the last episode.  It's got a great cliff hanger and also, it was the first time the entire cast got to work together.  We had a blast. 

BH: The cast of Vixens has been making some convention appearances. What did you think of the convention scene? Any memorable moments? How are you all being received? 

YX: I'm starting to like the convention scene because it's instant gratification.  When you're filming, your only audience is the camera.  The camera doesn't exactly give any verbal feedback.  At conventions, however, people are coming to take pictures with us, ask us about the episodes, our characters, etc.  We get immediate feedback and that's satisfying.  There have been many memorable moments but none that can be described in writing.  I have to use lots of hand gestures! 

BH: What's in store for Bitter Pain next season? 

YX: I think you'll see Bitter Pain starting to get a better sense of herself.  She's going to hold her own and change the dynamic of her relationship with Shr-Lin.  You should all root for her! 

BH:  On a more personal note, you have quite an inspiring story of taking a chance by giving up the corporate world to pursue a career in entertainment. Can you give us a quick run through of how things came about for you? 

YX: I think it all started in college when we were studying Karl Marx.  I didn't agree with all of his theories but one belief stuck with me which was "humans by nature are multifaceted and creative beings." You know, we live in this society where we're given blueprints on how life should turn out.  Go to school, get good grades, get a job, get married, have kids, die.  When I started work after college, I thought that my life was on the right path, I was progressing through the corporate ladder and making a great living.  However, I was feeling empty and unaccomplished.  One day, while sitting at my desk wasting yet another gorgeous day in NYC being indoors, I heard Karl Marx's words in my head.  I felt that it really was the time to go pursue everything I had ever wanted to do.  I wanted to be in entertainment and had flirted with opportunities in the past, but was never fully committed.  This time, I was ready.  I gave my 2 weeks notice and started my own search for castings, agents, and resources.  Although my job security is not nearly at the level I was at when I was working in corporate, I feel 100 times more fulfilled and accomplished. 

BH: Do you have any advice for someone thinking about an acting career? 

YX: There are two types of actors in this industry.  The ones that get into acting to become famous and the ones that get into acting because they love acting.  If you're in it to become famous, you're going to be very disappointed and unhappy.  This is a very unique career path that is different than most conventional careers paths: acquire more skill sets and degrees to get to the next level.  In acting, it's about luck, opportunity, and talent.  You really have to love it to enjoy it for what it is. 

BH: And finally, what's next in the career of Yue Xu? 

YX: I am getting into more hosting work for live television, and would love to eventually mix hosting with my love of dance.  Maybe host a dance show?  You never know!  I have also worked with Rob's production company on an episodic I wrote based on my experiences with going against the societal blueprint.  The pilot pitch is done and has attracted a lot of interest, so we're just now looking for investors to make it all happen.   

BH: Thanks and good luck!   

YX: Thank you and when do you want that dance lesson? 

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