Fala Chen on breaking stereotypes: from starring in Netflix’s ‘Ballad of a Small Player’ to embodying Chanel’s high jewellery
The summer sun was shining on Kyoto when Fala Chen—who travels between Europe, the US and Asia for various international film productions these days—arrived in the city in early June, alongside hundreds of guests from around the world, for the unveiling of Chanel’s latest high jewellery collection. The collection’s name seemed serendipitously fitting for Chen’s journey: Reach for the Stars.
In what might come as a surprise if you think you know everything about the Hong Kong actor, she communicates with the waitress about her dietary needs—dairy-free—in fluent Japanese. When she studied in Japan during her university years as part of a cultural exchange programme, it was her host mother who encouraged her to model for Japanese fashion magazines, which kick-started her on-stage career in the years that followed. “It does feel like a full-circle moment,” says Chen, contemplating her return to Japan after being away for so long. “I would have never imagined I would be where I am now and what I have achieved.”
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We meet for lunch after spending all morning on the shoot for this story, featuring the Chanel collection. Chen, no stranger to the house’s creations, says this collection in particular captures her heart. “It speaks to me in a very intimate and personal way,” she says. “The theme ‘Reach for the Stars’ is without a doubt a description of my path and my desire, without being conscious of it. It’s a collection that is so creative and elegant but ultimately very uplifting—the three key symbols, in particular: each embodies a spirit that speaks volumes.”
Fala Chen wears Chanel Sunny Days brooch in yellow gold, pink gold, platinum, diamonds, yellow sapphires, spessartite garnets, yellow beryl and pink spinels; Chanel Sky Is The Limit ring in white gold, yellow gold, diamonds and yellow diamonds. Chanel outfit
The symbols she refers to are stars, which make a constant appearance in Chanel’s jewellery creations; the lion, which was Gabrielle Chanel’s astrological sign and also a symbol for the house; and wings, a newcomer to Chanel’s high jewellery design codes, which take centre stage in one of the masterpieces of the collection, Wings of Chanel.
“What’s fascinating about these symbols is how they come together in such unexpected harmony,” says Chen. “The lion embodies this beautiful tension between masculine power and feminine elegance—it reminds women that we shouldn’t shy away from our roar. Then you have the wings, which bring this sense of lightness and freedom, almost airy in their movement. And the stars—they represent something beyond us, this cosmic inspiration where the sky truly is the limit. It’s like different facets of a woman’s character, all coming together in perfect balance.”
Chanel Sunny Days brooch in yellow gold, pink gold, platinum, diamonds, yellow sapphires, spessartite garnets, yellow beryl and pink spinels. Chanel short jacket.
Chanel Sky Is The Limit ring in white gold, yellow gold, diamonds and yellow diamonds. Chanel short jacket
The journey to embracing these different facets of herself, let alone celebrating them, wasn’t an easy one for Chen. After several modelling gigs in Japan that gave her a taste of life in the limelight, she decided to enter the Miss Chinese International Pageant 2005 in Hong Kong, which officially launched her career as an actor. Like many participants, she went on to become one of Hong Kong television’s rising stars, gaining popularity among audiences.
It was, however, an unspoken truth in Hong Kong’s entertainment scene that only theatre and film actors were considered serious performers. The transition from television star to film actor wasn’t a common path, nor was it an easy one. Chen, having fully realised her desire to polish her craft as an actor, began taking part in more theatre and film productions, notably Hong Kong horror classic Tales from the Dark 2 (2013) and the stage adaptation of Skylight (2016).
I truly believe everything starts with an openness to change
By - Fala Chen
Chanel Dazzling Star earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring in white gold, diamonds and black lacquer. Chanel jumpsuit
But it was her pivotal decision to pursue a four- year Master of Fine Arts in Drama programme at The Juilliard School in New York back in 2014 that truly shocked the industry. Not only was it an ultra-competitive programme admitting only eight to ten students per year but Chen stunned many by giving up what she had already established to start from scratch, at age 32.
“I didn’t really think about my age, to be honest,” she reflects. “It just felt like the right decision. Every inch of me knew I was doing the right thing. There was no reason not to do it: as simple as that.” Chen went on to become the first Chinese graduate of the programme. As if that weren’t impressive enough, her first major role after graduation was the female lead in Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021), co-starring Simu Liu and Hong Kong film legend Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
Chanel Dreams Come True necklace and ring in white gold, black-coated gold and diamonds. Chanel outfit.
Chanel Dreams Come True necklace and ring in white gold, black-coated gold and diamonds. Chanel outfit
But if you picture a completely transformed Fala Chen, confidently navigating the Hollywood and European entertainment industries, you would be very wrong. She confesses she tends to be overly critical of herself and only recently has she learnt to be more open-minded about setbacks, though it remains a continuous exercise. “I used to beat myself up quite badly after every casting or keep thinking I could do better in a particular scene. Then I came to realise that if I did my very best in that very moment, I should let things take their own course.”
No longer held back by the fear of failure or mistakes, she is now able to further her craft. This is evident in her recent return to Hong Kong productions after a long hiatus with Peg O’ My Heart (2024), directed by Hong Kong actor and director Nick Cheung. “I used to overthink every single detail on set,” says Chen. “This time I was able to let the dynamics organically unfold. I still do a lot of preparation beforehand, of course—I’m a firm believer in it. But I’m more able to learn and unlearn. And the most surprising performance often happens in that particular moment, with a particular dynamic and energy. It’s almost unreplicable. That particular moment in time: that’s what truly excites and fascinates me about being on set.”
Chanel Pretty Wings Pink Gold earrings, necklace and ring in pink gold and diamonds. Chanel dress
Chanel Pretty Wings Pink Gold earrings, necklace and ring in pink gold and diamonds. Chanel dress
And Chen is poised to reach new heights in her career, as the female lead in The Ballad of a Small Player, a feature film directed by Edward Berger, an Oscar winner for All Quiet on the Western Front (2022). The film, which stars a dream cast including Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton, was recently released on Netflix. “It really was a new world for me,” says Chen, reflecting on filming last summer in Macau. “There was this unparalleled dedication from the crew. Nothing would stop the filming. One time we were filming in a warehouse when the air conditioning went out; it was during high summer and we were in thick costumes. But no one seemed bothered; the filming went on. Everyone was sweating but no one even complained about it.”
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Working alongside such legendary industry professionals, Chen admits, was a priceless experience that contributed significantly to her growth. “Colin, for example, really takes the time to get to know you. You feel so relaxed and trusting around him, you feel confident to put in your all, because you know he’ll catch you if you fall. The magic of a good ensemble.”
For her role, Chen spent time in various casinos in Macau, learning not just how to bet but, more importantly, about the compulsion to gamble. It’s definitely a type of role that’s foreign to her; she was drawn to it not only for the chance to expand her repertoire but also for the opportunity to challenge stereotypes about Asian women in western productions.
Through every small choice I make, I hope to break preconceived notions—and hopefully one day, all these moments will add up to create meaningful change
By - Fala Chen
Chanel Follow Your Heart earrings and ring in platinum, diamonds, red spinels, rubies and moon stones. Chanel top
“I remember receiving a script for another film and the director had already chosen the ‘perfect’ role for me: a wise, well-behaved, demure woman. I studied the script and started counter-proposing—I felt another role, which was more anti-heroic, would create more interesting chemistry.” Even though representation of different cultures has started to grow in western media, Fala Chen believes there is still much work to be done in breaking down such stereotypes. “Through every small choice I make, I hope to break preconceived notions—and hopefully one day, all these moments will add up to create meaningful change.”
While working to change society’s perception of women’s roles in all their dimensions, Fala Chen lives this challenge daily, balancing family life in the US with managing an international career across three continents.
“Of course there’s the inevitable guilt when I have to be away from my family and kids because of work,” she says, even though she tries to bring them along whenever possible. “When I shared this with a fellow actress who’s also a mother, we came to realise that we are actually setting an example for our children, showing them how to pursue their passion while managing other obligations.”
Chanel Dazzling Star earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring in white gold, diamonds and black lacquer. Chanel jumpsuit.
Chanel Dazzling Star earrings, necklace, bracelet and ring in white gold, diamonds and black lacquer. Chanel jumpsuit
Fala Chen thinks of her own mother, who gave up her areer as a choreographer in China to migrate for a better future for her family. Looking back, she wishes her mother had at least tried to maintain both her career and family life.
“The standards imposed on women will always be higher when it comes to motherhood and family,” she says. “I want my daughter to remember that her mother didn’t need to sacrifice all her passions to make things work. I hope this can be a blueprint for her when the time comes to pursue her own dreams.”
Breaking free from the constraints of being a beauty pageant winner and television star, Chen stepped into a world that was completely foreign and challenging, ultimately achieving what seemed impossible in both career and family life. She has come a long way from the university student who was simply having fun modelling in her spare time, defying every expectation placed upon her. It is perhaps not surprising that a quote from Gabrielle Chanel particularly resonates with her: “If you were born without wings, do nothing to prevent them from growing.”
“I’m very conscious that I’ve had lots of luck along the way. It’s a privilege to make the choices that I made,” says Fala Chen. “But I truly believe everything starts with an openness to change, a small curiosity. Take the first step with courage, no matter how small and how insignificant it might seem.”
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Credits
Creative Direction: Zoe Yau (off site)
Photographer: Gregory Chong Chong Sin Hang
Photography Assistant: Lai Tsz Chung
Videographer: James Mak Mak Ching Sze James
Jewellery & Wardrobe: Chanel