Dress- ISABELLE FAJARDO
Silver Cuff- Amatostyle
Earrings-
Shoes- Christian Dior
Talent: Li Jun Li @lijunli
Photography, Creative Direction, and Production by: Mike Ruiz
Editor-in-Chief: Dimitri Vorontsov
Stylist: Charlie Ward @charliewardstles
Makeup: Clarissa Luna at Uncommon Artists
Assisted: Mark Chi
Hair: Xavier Velasquez at A-Frame
Location: Los Angeles, California
Dress- ISABELLE FAJARDO
Silver Cuff- Amatostyle
Earrings-
Shoes- Christian Dior
Born in Shanghai, China, Li Jun Li moved with her family to Bogotá, Colombia at the age of six, and then moved again to New York City at just nine years old. Over the past years, Li has been in several tv shows, such as: Blindspot, The Exorcist, Wu Assassins, Devils, EVIL, and Sex/Life. Now, Li stars in Babylon opposite Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, newcomer Diego Calva, with appearances by Olivia Wilde and Tobey Maguire. Babylon takes place in 1920’s Hollywood and follows a handful of characters whose dreams of fame and success rest on navigating a perilous town. Li plays Lady Fay Zhu, a character loosely based on the first Asian American actress, Anna May Wong.
Dress- ISABELLE FAJARDO
Earrings- Bond Hardware
What was it like moving to Colombia at a young age and learning Spanish from Shanghai?
Incredibly intimidating for an introverted kid, or any immigrant child in a foreign
country. Where I lived and attended school in Bogotá, there were no other Asian kids
around me— I learned the language with no help, it felt like I was thrown into the deep
end without instructions (or floaties!) Luckily when you’re that young, you pick it up quite
quickly and I ended up fitting in much faster than I thought.
Dress- ISABELLE FAJARDO
Earrings- Bond Hardware
You got your big break starring opposite Matthew Morrison in the Tony Award-winning Rodgers and Hammerstein’s South Pacific (2008) at New York’s Lincoln
Center. What was that experience like, and what do you prefer, theater or film?
It’s difficult when you first start in the industry; you can’t get an agent without good credits and you can’t get good credits without an agent. I initially didn’t get past my first callback, and three months later when they still couldn’t find the actress to play her, I ended up going back with a different headshot hoping they didn’t remember me. Ten months and five callbacks after that, I was cast.
I prefer film and television because of my style of acting. Even back in acting school my notes were that I was “ too small for theatre. “ I think it depends on the project, however, because if we’re talking musical numbers and epic performances, of course I can take that on!
Velvet Dress- Dion Lee
Silver Earrings- Amatostyle
Silver Bracelet- Bond Hardware
What can you tell us about your role in Babylon?
My role in Babylon was an opportunity to tell a story that was inspired by the first Asian American Actress in Hollywood. She was prolific in her career yet soon forgotten, and I am very honored to be able to bring a version of the story of her life into the light again.
Velvet Dress- Dion Lee
Silver Earrings- Amatostyle
Silver Bracelet- Bond Hardware
What was it like to work with Margot Robbie and Brad Pitt?
I am so, so lucky that not only did I have the opportunity to work with them, but they’re also some of the most kindhearted, genuine and humble people. They were open and welcoming; Margot would always check in with me and see if there was anything more she can do during our scenes to make it better for me (so sweet) and Brad was always hilarious as he’d joke around and goof off in between takes.
Beaded Gown- ISABELLE FAJARDO
Gold Cuff- Gurhan
Earrings- Sara Robertsson
Boots- Brian Atwood
How did you prepare to play Lady Fay Zhu, and can you tell us a little bit about
her?
Lady Fay Zhu is a fictional character Damien Chazelle wrote inspired by Anna May Wong, who was the first Chinese American Actress in Hollywood over a century ago. He wanted to capture the journey between a group of people during that transition from silent films into talkies, and how they navigated through the movement, challenges and all.
Cut-Out Dress- Cult Gaia
Silver Rings- Bond Hardware
Silver Earrings- Sara Robertsson
Shoes- Giuseppe Zanotti
What was it like to play Rose Cooper on the series, The Exorcist? Were you a
fan of the movie?
I was a huge fan of the movie, which is ironic because I’m terrified of horror films. When it comes to making impactful films, this was without a doubt an impactful film because it has made its mark in the history of horror films. You don’t have a conversation about the greats, without mentioning The Exorcist; it is always a favorite. The Exorcist series was so fantastically written and it paid homage to the original – I knew I had to be a part of it.
Cut-Out Dress- Cult Gaia
Silver Rings- Bond Hardware
Silver Earrings- Sara Robertsson
Shoes- Giuseppe Zanotti
And, then another supernatural type of show, as Jenny Wah on the Netflix crime drama series Wu Assassins. What was that experience like?
Wu Assassins was one of the first Netflix Original series that featured an all Asian American cast and told a story of the Asian American experience. And also, I absolutely love martial arts, so, obviously it was a no brainer.
Are you drawn to female characters, who are powerful and badass?
Who isn’t! 😀
Beaded Gown- ISABELLE FAJARDO
Gold Cuff- Gurhan
Earrings- Sara Robertsson
Boots- Brian Atwood
What are some of your hobbies when you aren’t working?
I do travel a lot. I most recently went to Greece for the first time and I’m in love. Definitely, a place I’d go back over and over again.
What’s your favorite vacation spot?
Anywhere tropical or with beautiful beaches. You’re going to laugh because I’m the worst swimmer, but I love being by the water. I go to Tulum, Mexico almost every year, and I’m currently planning an epic trip to Southeast Asia.
