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INTERVIEW
Jin Xuan Mao’s journey from a small town in China to the heart of Paris is nothing short of remarkable. An actor, writer, and performer, Mao has defied the odds – transforming dreams born from watching TV in his childhood into a vibrant career in one of the world’s cultural capitals, and joining A-list actors like Ashley Park and Lily Collins in Netflix's hit series, Emily in Paris. In this interview, we explore his path to success, the challenges he’s faced as a queer Asian artist in France, and his reflections on the evolving landscape of fashion and film.
Can you tell us about yourself and how you got into acting?
Hi! I’m Jin Xuan Mao (毛瑾轩), and I’m thrilled to chat with you! I was born and raised in a small town in China, and at 18, I moved to France. Now, I’ve been living in Paris for 12 years – it’s hard to believe how time has flown! I’m an actor, writer, and performer, and I feel incredibly privileged and grateful to say that, especially considering I came from a very humble background where pursuing a path like this seemed impossible.
Even as a child, though, I never stopped dreaming of becoming an actor. When I was 10, I watched the TV show Pink Ladies (粉红女郎) and was completely captivated by the lead actress, Rene Liu (刘若英). I was too young to fully grasp the complexities of the show, but I knew I wanted to be like her – to live the highs and lows of a thousand different lives through acting.
Rene Liu became my idol, even though, for cultural and socio-economic reasons, an artistic career wasn’t an option. Since I excelled in school, there was an expectation that I would follow a “conventional” path, secure a stable job, and achieve financial security as soon as possible. When I first arrived in France, I studied communication at the University of Sorbonne Nouvelle. But during my last year of university, at 23, I reached a pivotal moment where I had to confront the question: What do I really want to do with my life? That’s when I realised my one true dream was still to become an actor, and I knew I had to give it a chance – it was vital. Looking back, I still get chills because that was the turning point where it all began, and I’m profoundly grateful I found the courage to take that leap.
It was terrifying at first. I was a foreigner in Paris with no experience, no money, no connections, and no network. I had no role models to follow for what I wanted to do, and I worried that it was too late for me or that language would be a barrier. But when you feel a deep, undeniable need, you find ways to make it happen. Two years later, I was accepted into France’s most prestigious drama school, the Conservatoire National Supérieur d’Art Dramatique. I graduated in 2021, and as I finished, I joined the cast of Emily In Paris for season 2.
Today, my work spans theatre, film, TV, writing, and performances inspired by drag, ballroom culture, and burlesque. I also dedicate myself to transmission work. I’ve been very fortunate in my acting career, meeting people who helped me move forward and learning from wonderful teachers who taught me everything I know about the art of acting. I’m incredibly grateful for where I am now, and I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Congrats on the much anticipated season 4 of Emily in Paris! How did you prepare for your role as Étienne on the show?
Thank you! Preparing for Étienne involved several key steps. When I started filming season 2, the first priority was finding the right tone for the character. Étienne has a sassy sense of humour with some strong punchlines—thanks to our amazing writers – but we wanted to avoid making him come across as mean or annoying. So, I had to walk a very fine line, and I was fortunate to have the support of the writers, directors, and my fantastic castmates Ashley Park and Kevin Dias in navigating that balance.
Another important aspect was finding the right energy level for our band performances. I felt it was essential to bring an energetic and uplifting vibe while playing the keyboard – but I also needed to be careful not to overdo it and make it seem inauthentic.
Now that we’re moving into new seasons, I’m thinking more about exploring new dimensions of Étienne's character. Oh, and another challenge we often face is that we usually receive the music for our performances at the very last minute. The filming schedule is so intense that everyone is overwhelmed with work, so Kevin and I often have to quickly figure out how to play our instruments – it can be quite a challenge, but it’s all part of the process!
What was it like to work with the much-beloved Ashley Park and Lily Collins on the show?
It’s the best! Both of them are amazing people and artists, and their beautiful friendship creates such a pleasant and loving environment on set. Lily is incredibly kind and attentive—despite being the lead and an executive producer, she always takes the time to ask me about my other work, the shows I’ve seen, or the trips I’ve taken. It’s really heartwarming. I remember on my last day of filming season 2, we were shooting the performance scene for Mon Soleil, and Lily said to me that I was the energy they didn’t know they needed—it was so adorable and truly rewarding.
As for Ashley, I’m genuinely grateful to have met her. I remember walking into my very first table read right after booking the job – I was so impressed by everything and quite nervous. Ashley came in, saw me, and immediately gave me the biggest hug, telling me how happy she was that I got the part. It made me feel welcome and eased my nerves right away. That’s just who she is – she has a big, warm, and loving heart. What’s really special is that when we met, we didn’t need to say anything to understand all the work, struggles, and obstacles the other had faced – as an Asian woman for her, and as a queer person for me, in this industry. Suddenly, I had a role model to look up to. She’s incredibly talented, hardworking, and an amazing actor, and whenever she performs and sings, it’s like a treat from heaven. And yet, she’s so humble, funny, kind, and real. When we have scenes together, she always looks out for everyone, making sure we all shine. You can always count on her to lighten the room with her genuine humour and laugh. It’s been a true gift getting to know and work with her.
What do you personally love about Paris? And what are 5 things you'd recommend for every visitor?
What I love about Paris is its versatility. The city offers endless possibilities, and I feel like there’s a Paris for every one of my moods. When I’m in the mood for quality time with friends, there’s no shortage of options – cafés, restaurants, riversides, parks – we always find something to do. If I feel like dancing, Paris has a vibrant nightlife scene. I can catch a movie whenever I want, with more than a hundred shows playing every night.
The cultural offerings are incredibly rich and, compared to some other countries I’ve visited, surprisingly affordable. On days when I just want to relax, I might have tea at the café next to my place or take a walk around the city – even after all these years, I still find myself amazed by its beauty at an unexpected turn.
There’s also a deeply personal reason why I love Paris: in recent years, the city has seen a surge in Chinese restaurants serving truly authentic cuisine. As a big foodie – one of the reasons I’m so eager to visit Hong Kong – finding these spots brings me immense joy and comfort. These days, I can even find dishes from Northwest China, my home region, including street food! Having travelled extensively across Europe, I know how rare it is to find such specific flavours so easily. More broadly, Paris offers incredible and affordable Asian food options, which I absolutely love.
Here are 5 things I would recommend every traveller do in Paris:
Take a walk by the Canal de Saint Martin.
Find a cute little terrace to unwind.
Go dancing.
Visit the Musée des Arts Décoratifs. It’s one of my favorite museums in Paris and they always have amazing exhibitions.
Definitely eat everything that makes your mouth water!
Where are your 5 favourite cafes/restaurants in Paris?
Keko Momo – for specialties from my home region, such as Liangpi, Roujiamo and Biangbiang noodles, and there’s a really cute square right in front of the restaurant!
XiaoLongKan Paris – this is the best hot-pot in town and we always need hot-pot!
Petit Bao – for the best Shanghai-style Xiaolongbao!
Restaurant Kunitoraya – this is my favorite Japanese place, their Katsu curry udon is one of the best comfort foods!
République of Coffee – this is my go-to place to get the best Chai latte and some fresh pastries and food!
You have fabulous style! How would you describe your personal fashion sense?
Thank you! I guess I would say my style is “fluid”, for sure, especially in terms of gender barriers. I wear lots of what’s meant to be “womenswear”, especially since I discovered my passion for vintage and thrift shopping some years ago. In general, I’ll just try on anything that looks pretty, cool, stylish or fun, and I don’t care if it’s made for “women”, I mean, gender is a performance after all, right?
I’d love to see an end to the gender-based division in fashion and clothing one day. Another thing I’m passionate about is making fashion more “colour-forward.” I love incorporating colours into my outfits – they make me happy and brighten my mood, and I actively advocate for more colors for everyone. Lastly, I’d describe my style as “intuitive.” I love fashion and keep up with trends as much as I can, but I always rely on my intuition when putting together a look, focusing on what feels right for the moment. That said, as Meryl Streep’s character in The Devil Wears Prada reminded us, we’re all more influenced by the fashion industry than we realise – so who knows!
What are your 5 go-to brands right now?
Two brands I absolutely love are Schiaparelli and Iris van Herpen. Recently, I discovered a new obsession: Robert Wun, a designer born in Hong Kong. His last two collections were extraordinary, and I believe he’s destined for greatness. I also closely follow Harris Reed, both for his work with his own brand and with Nina Ricci. He even wrote an incredible book, Fluid: A Fashion Revolution, which delves into ideas similar to what I’ve mentioned earlier. And of course, I can’t forget to mention my admiration for Guo Pei’s work.
What's next for you in the acting world?
One of the most exciting things on the horizon is a new show called Made In France, where I have the leading role of a prominent young fashion designer. It’s set to premiere on France 2 during prime time next year. This project is particularly special to me because it’s led and created by an incredible group of women – something that’s still quite rare in France – and I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of it. My character is beautifully written, and I believe it’s the first time a French national TV show has given an Asian actor a major role that isn’t rooted in stereotypes. I’m really excited about this!
In January, I’m also returning to the stage for the play Dom Juan, directed by David Bobée, as we go back on tour. Another major milestone is my very first personal project: I’m writing a stage play for myself called My Odyssey, based on some deeply personal stories. I’m grateful to be supported by the European Union’s cultural programme, Common Lab, for this project, which will take me to Maputo, Mozambique, in September for research. It feels surreal – my 10-year-old self watching TV could never have imagined this, even in his wildest dreams! I’m beyond excited. And who knows, maybe one day, work will bring me to Hong Kong too!
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All roads lead to Rome...Emily in Paris Season 4: Part 2 premiering on September 12. Part 1 Now Playing; only on Netflix.
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