Jessica Lu
| Jessica Lu | |
|---|---|
| Born |
Jessica Lu April 18, 1985 Schaumburg, Illinois, United States |
| Alma mater | Columbia College Chicago |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 2009–present |
Jessica Lu (April 18, 1985) is an American actress, model, and spokesperson. She is best known for her portrayal of Ming Huang on the MTV television series Awkward.
Early life and education
Lu was born in Schaumburg, Illinois on April 18, 1985. She has a younger brother, Andy. As a child, she attended Hanover Highlands Elementary School located in Hanover Park, Illinois, Robert Frost Junior High, and James B. Conant High School in Hoffman Estates, Illinois. Jessica grew up in the Chicago suburb of Schaumburg, Illinois, where she spent her childhood and high school days developing her love of theater and the performing arts. She went on to attend Columbia College Chicago, where she starred as the lead role in the musical Flower Drum Song, before graduating with an honors degree in Musical Theatre Performance. She is of Chinese and Japanese descent.
Theater
As a student at Columbia College Chicago, Jessica starred as the lead role in the musical, Flower Drum Song. She also played supporting roles in the musicals West Side Story and Ragtime.
Television
Jessica Lu previously starred as the down-to-earth Ming Huang on the critically acclaimed MTV series Awkward.[1] Jessica has also appeared in the TV series Law & Order: LA, CSI, and 90210.[2][3]
Film
In 2009, Jessica performed in the film short, The Kari Files, as well as the full-length feature film Fame. She portrayed Whitney in Mortal Kombat: Rebirth in 2010.
In 2013, Jessica played in Joey Graceffa's YouTube series: Storytellers.[4] 2015 starred on the side of Scott Glenn, Stephen Tobolowsky, and Kristen Hager in the Thriller film The Barber.[5]
Modeling
Jessica has modeled in print ads for Got Milk?, OshKosh B'Gosh, Claire's, Parisian, Land's End, Chicago Place, and Carson Pirie Scott. Her modeling career also includes commercial work for Kaiser Permanente, Samsung, McDonalds, Ford Motors, and Orville Redenbacher's.[6]
Advocacy and charity work
Jessica is an advocate for Love Is Louder Than the Pressure to Be Perfect, which addresses the issues of bullying, depression and discrimination as well as the Trevor Project, an organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services for the LGBTQ community.
Personal life
Jessica resides in Los Angeles with her dog, Oprah, and her cat, Lucky.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Mortal Kombat: Rebirth | Whitney | Short film |
| 2014 | About Last Night | Ad executive |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Life | Riceburner Girlfriend | Episode: "Re-Entry" |
| 2009 | 90210 | Catholic School Girl #2 | Episode: "The Dionysian Debacle" |
| 2009 | CSI: Crime Scene Investigation | Lily | Episode: "Appendicitement" |
| 2010 | Law & Order: LA | Kai Ng | Episode: "Hollywood" |
| 2011-2014 | Awkward | Ming Huang | Series regular, seasons 1-3 (36 episodes) |
| 2012 | The New Normal | Tabitha | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 2014 | Two and a Half Men | Jean | Episode: "Alan Shot a Girl" |
| 2014 | Salvation | Hayley Stern | TV movie |
| 2015 | Red Band Society | Mae | Episodes: "We'll Always Have Paris" and "Waiting for Superman" |
| 2015 | Weird Loners | Molly | Episode: "Pilot" |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013-2014 | Storytellers | Mai Himura |
Theater
- Flower Drum Song—Lead
- West Side Story—Supporting
- Ragtime!—Supporting/Ensemble
References
- ↑ "Jessica Lu | Awkward.". MTV. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
- ↑ "Shows | Awkward". MTV Press. Retrieved 2012-08-03.
- ↑ Winner 2011 Best Sitcom Coach
- ↑ Storytellers Update: Cast List Announced! - GeekyNews
- ↑ The Barber
- ↑ Jessica Lu - Other works