Rachel Tan has undeniably come a long way since her days as Miss Malaysia. The Seremban-born former beauty queen (have we mentioned that she’s also a University of Cambridge-trained lawyer?), is the only Malaysian to have won the Miss Chinese International Pageant organised by Hong Kong broadcaster, TVB. She has since transformed into a formidable force in the entertainment industry in Hollywood, alongside her Chinese-American husband, Dan Mark.
Their upcoming venture, Worth The Wait, is a romantic comedy inspired by their own whirlwind love story. With a star-studded all-Asian cast featuring Lana Condor (To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, X-Men Apocalypse) and Ross Butler (Riverdale, Shazam!, 13 Reasons Why), and directed by Golden Horse Award-winning director Tom Lin in his American film debut, this movie promises to be a captivating blend of romance, drama, and culture.
makchic had the honour of interviewing this very down-to-earth couple who were in Malaysia recently, as they opened up about their personal lives in the United States (US) with their two children, the fond memories they are making on their trips to Malaysia, and how they’re hoping to make a change in Hollywood, one movie at a time.
The Rise of Asian Representation
Rachel: “We have so many talented people that the whole world needs to know about. I think we’re lucky now to be part of an Asian wave, started by films like ‘Crazy Rich Asians’, ‘Parasite’ and ‘Minari’. So many amazing people have paved a path for us. We hope to keep showcasing our beautiful culture and people and stories, and put them on an international platform.”
As entertainment lawyers with a passion (and know-how) for the film industry, the leap to the silver screen as producers felt like a natural transition for this powerhouse couple. King Street Pictures, the production company which Rachel and Dan started in 2016, is a testament to their commitment to diversity and inclusivity. Their recent movie, Sight, was released to more than 2,000 screens across the US recently and stars Oscar nominee Greg Kinnear and Terry Chen. Grossing over US$7mil to date, the film tells the true story of Dr Ming Wang, a world-renowned eye surgeon who overcame incredible adversity to become a medical pioneer.
With Worth The Wait, they hope to challenge stereotypes and expand the representation of Asian characters on the big screen. They’re determined to showcase Asian talent and culture on the global stage.
Set against the dynamic backdrops of Seattle and Kuala Lumpur (KL), this upcoming film promises a visually captivating cinematic experience. Last year, Lana’s filming in iconic Malaysian locations like Batu Caves and KLCC generated significant buzz across social media among her fans – plus, we learned that Lana has a serious soft spot for our local curry laksa!
Dan: “We shot in KL purely because Rachel loves KL. Just like when Crazy Rich Asians gave Singapore its moment on the international stage, we hope by the time [the movie is] run, KL and Malaysia has had its moment and a lot of people are wanting to travel [here] to experience this beautiful place.”
The couple, both 42, are carving a unique path for themselves in Hollywood. As Asian filmmakers, they face a landscape often dominated by Western narratives. Yet, their determination to showcase authentic Asian stories is unwavering.
A Love Story on Screen
Rachel: “ I met Dan in Hong Kong (at a church event) and started a whirlwind romance and long distance relationship and got engaged 7 months later, it was really fast. It’s almost like a movie.”
Dan revealed that the script for Worth The Wait draws from his and Rachel’s own experiences, making it their most personal film yet. While the movie is a romantic comedy, it also tackles deeper issues like family, grief, and loss. This allowed stars Lana Condor and Ross Butler to showcase their acting range by portraying characters facing real-life challenges.
Dan also revealed that the couple’s struggle with infertility inspired another storyline in the film, highlighting a topic rarely discussed openly within Asian communities.
Dan: “One of the hardest things was trying to conceive our second child. That whole experience was something like suffering in silence. Asians never talk about these things. People don’t talk about it. It inspired one of the storylines in the movie. When you can’t have [a child], or lose one it’s such a difficult thing in the marriage.”
Their openness about their experiences is a testament to their belief in the importance of sharing stories that resonate with audiences on a deeper level. Both Rachel and Dan come from Christian families and seek to share stories of redemption, healing and forgiveness.
Dan shares, “With every film we make, we hope we put some goodness out into the world and encourage and inspire people – and that is one of the elements with this film. We took a risk as many people would say [to us]: “Oh, it’s a romantic comedy, keep it super light,” but for us, we felt we have an opportunity with a huge platform to spread some light in an area that needs it.”
On-Screen Magic with Lana Condor and Ross Butler
Rachel: “The chemistry with the cast on set was so good that everyone started to hang out after work on weekends!“
Sometime last year, both Lana Condor and Ross Butler, and the rest of the cast and crew were spotted filming in different parts of KL. Sharing images on her Instagram, Lana Condor revealed minor details of her up-and-coming role in the caption of her post (see below).
“I’ve admired these actors and team’s work for so long – and we finally all got to make something beautiful together!!! This story is, simply put, Worth The Wait,” captioned Lana, while teasing the title of the film. She also confessed to Rachel and Dan in the midst of their shoot last year that “this was the kindest production she had ever been a part of”. Incidentally Ross’ mother is Chinese-Malaysian, though he was born in Singapore, while his father is English-Dutch.
On working with the actress, Dan shares: “Lana is so sweet and kind. Fans of hers and Ross who are used to seeing them in a lot of Young Adult (YA) type content, I feel this is like a mature turn for both of them – they give some of their best performances.”
Nurturing the Asian Identity
Rachel and Dan are committed to cultivating a strong sense of Asian identity in their children, Sophie, 9 and Joshua, 3. “Just last night my son was asking for pizza, I was like “Here, have some char kway teow!” laughs Dan, as he admits to being a huge fan of Malaysian cuisine.
Regular trips to Malaysia and time with family here have provided invaluable opportunities for their children to immerse themselves in their heritage. Recognising the challenges faced by minority communities in the US, where they are based, the couple believes in the power of cultural pride and representation.
Dan: “We want them to know what makes them different, makes them beautiful.”
However, they also acknowledge the challenges of navigating cultural differences. Instances like when their daughter Sophie was teased about her lunch, highlight the importance of pride in one’s cultural background.
“My daughter loves fried rice. When she was 3, she used to bring fried rice to preschool. One day, she said she didn’t want to take it anymore. After a lot of probing and investigation, we found out two boys had made fun of the fried rice and said it was “yucky,” shared Rachel.
The incident proved to be a turning point. Soon, the school introduced cultural days and food-sharing events, transforming Sophie from a target to a culinary sensation. “It gave Sophie a whole new set of problems,” Rachel laughs. “Everyone suddenly wanted a taste of her fried rice!”
A Family on a Mission
Rachel and Dan’s approach to parenting is rooted in creating a secure and loving home environment. By prioritising their relationship and making intentional efforts to nurture their bond, they provide a solid foundation for their children to thrive.
Dan: “ [My one message to all parents out there is] for your children to always know that their parents’ relationship is super secure. I feel like children derive their security from knowing they are in a secure environment.“
As we come to the end of the interview, it hits us how ‘regular’ Rachel and Dan are as parents, despite having demanding careers in Hollywood. In a world riddled with the complexities of raising children, they remind us that while parenting is a challenging endeavour, it is also a deeply rewarding one. As Rachel wisely puts it, “We are forever students for our kids, have grace for yourself.”
Rachel and Dan have forged a formidable partnership that extends beyond the silver screen. Their ability to seamlessly intertwine their personal and professional lives is a testament to their dedication, personal faith and mutual support. As they continue to make their mark on the entertainment industry, it’s clear that this husband-and-wife pair are a force to be reckoned with.
makchic wishes them only the best as they continue to champion Asian-inspired themes, and will be on the lookout for the release of Worth The Wait!
By Hemala Devaraj
Interview by Hemala Devaraj and Kimberly Lee
[The contents of this interview have been edited for clarity and brevity.]
