Christina Chong has many strings to her bow. An established actor who continues to push her performances to new heights with each passing project, the rising star upholds a striking presence on screen, impressing in her refined craft.

Atop her acting acumen, Chong is an avid musician and songwriter – a skill that has come to a head with the release of her superb debut EP, “Twin Flames”. The four track body of work sees Christina combine genres, shaping a sound that is expressive, unique and distinct, working with producers like Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes) and Matt Brettle (Cat Burns, Arrdee) to bring out the best in her vocally and musically. We hear lyricism focused on self love and overcoming pain, with the narrative of a relationship breaking down and her finding happiness in herself.

We had the chance to connect with Christina, discussing the new EP, her multi-faceted nature and her creative origins.

Listen to “Twin Flames”…

Read the interview…

Hey Christina! How are you? What does a day in the life look like for you currently?
You’ve caught me on one of those, everything is amazing days! I’m having so much fun with this music journey, I really am. We’re waiting for season 3 of Star Trek to start filming which is actually ideal, because it means I can totally dedicate my time to promoting the EP. At the moment I wake up at about 8am, feed my pup Runa Ewok (the cutest toy Cavapoo), spend about 20 minutes doing a simple yoga sequence, meditate for an hour and then journal for another 30 minutes. I know, it’s intense, but the morning routine is what keeps me sane and balanced. I’ve been doing it religiously for over a decade. After walking Runa I then spend my day prepping promo for socials, engaging with fans and planning the next steps with the music team.
 
Tell us about your early days. How did you first get into performing/music? 
I started dancing when I was four and at 11 knew I wanted to do it as a career, in musical theatre. At 14 I auditioned for the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts and got in, but it was a heartbreaking moment because my Mum couldn’t afford to send me. She was a single parent at the time and we were living in government housing. I think I cried every day for a week, pleading with my Mum to find a way. She was amazing, and put together a little folder of all my accomplishments, dance certificates, newspaper clippings etc. and sent it off to local businesses asking for some kind of sponsorship. A couple of weeks before the school term was due to start, we received a letter from a charity called the Shepherd Street Trust who said they would pay for me to go. I was ecstatic. I spent five amazing years there training in dance, drama and singing as well as completing my compulsory academic curriculum.
 
Where did your love for music originate from?
I guess it all started listening to my Mum’s records. She’s a big 70s fan, and so am I, of course! I think a lot of it also stems from my dance classes, the classical element in ballet, jazz from tap class and the pop music from modern dance. It’s the meshing of music and movement for me, even to this day if there’s a tune on that I love, I can’t not move my body to it. I’d also spend summer holidays with my Grandad who’d play the guitar whilst I sang – you’ll actually see some of that footage soon…

Congratulations on your EP “Twin Flames”, what has it been like to finally release music after such a lifelong passion for it? 
I’m just having the best time. I’m finally feeling like I’m doing what I was supposed to do. I’ve sung and danced since I was tiny and now that I’m getting to do it as part of my job, everything just makes sense. I was actually discovered my an A&R guy at 19 who said if I didn’t pursue a singing career ‘now’ I’d be too old. I didn’t tell anyone, but I turned him down and told myself I’d do it one day, when the time is right for me. Now is that time, and it feels like my whole career has done a 360 and I’m finally doing all the things I set out to do. 
 
What was the creative process like behind producing your EP?
My one rule with this singing journey has been to be authentically me. I’ve spent my career hiding behind characters so each song had to be written from the heart. In my acting, I personalise my characters using my emotional baggage, so I’m aware what my triggers and traumas are and talk about them quite freely, so I just went into the room and poured my heart out. The strongest emotional issue at that time was a break up with my ex-boyfriend Ignacio. I was told by a psychic that he was my Twin Flame – two parts of the same soul – who apparently only meet every four lifetimes, so you know, that had to be written about. 
 
I always knew musically what kind of vibe I wanted, so would play a couple of songs in the room that encapsulated that and then Jake and Matt would lay tracks whilst Nuuxs and I worked on the vocals. Those three are such a well-oiled machine, a dream team to work with!
 
Although it wasn’t planned, the EP ended up showcasing the full gamut of emotions I experienced with him. “Twin Flames” is the passionate love, “No Blame” is the break up, “Can’t Show Love” is the healing, and “I Get to Choose” is the rebirth and realising I can be happy again, without him. 
 
Each song only took 4-6 hours to write and put down which astounded me. With acting, I usually have to wait months if not years to see the final product, but to go into the studio with nothing and come out a few hours later with a complete banger is very addictive. 
 
Do you have a standout favourite track from the EP? If so, why?
“I Get To Choose”. It was the one song where I went into the studio not fully knowing what I wanted to say. I knew I wanted a Bossa Nova type vibe – thinking back now, that came from one of the fills on my Mum’s organ as a kid – and I knew I wanted it to be personal and up-lifting. I cried recording the lyrics because it wasn’t lost on me that that young girl who had struggled to achieve her dreams, was making them come true, ‘this is my time’. It’s also a really positive and empowering song both lyrically and musically. 
 
What do you want your audience to feel when they listen to your new music? 
I just want them to feel empowered. If I can do that than I’ve done my job. There’s the sexiness of “Twin Flames”, “No Blame” is about accepting the feeling of pain that comes from loss – it’s no-ones fault, it just is, and only once you accept an unwanted emotion can you move on from it. “Can’t Show Love” is about understanding why, and it picks you up on days when you’re struggling, and “I Get to Choose” is about the pure joy of fully being in this moment, alone and happy.
 
How do you balance your acting career with your singing career? 
Well, we’ll see, because I’ve not had to do it yet. My guess is each discipline will take turns at humming in the background whilst I’m working on a specific project. I feel very lucky to be able to work between the two. 
 
What is the rest of 2023 looking for you? 
At some point we’ll be filming season three of Strange New Worlds, but before that we’ve got the release of the EP in August, some exciting remixes in the works and potentially a little something towards the end of the year. It’s all so new to me, so I’m just going with the flow and seeing what presents itself. I think that’s the best place to create from.

*This interview was completed prior to the start of the SAG AFTRA strike