Phương, Chúc Mừng Sinh Nhật!!!! (HAPPY BIRTHDAY) These photos are extra special because they were taken in your house and we were able to create something beautiful with what we had. Thanks for letting me try hột vịt lộn (fertilized egg in the last slide) and making me some really yummy matcha. What are you most excited for as you enter into your twenties?
Phương: Tôi bước vào tuổi hai mươi, mang theo trong tim một ngọn lửa dịu dàng mà bền bỉ, ngọn lửa của ước mơ và khát vọng được sống hết mình.
Tôi háo hức được đi, được thấy, được chạm vào những chân trời mà ngày xưa chỉ dám mơ trong những đêm dài yên ắng.
Hai mươi là khi tôi không còn sợ vấp ngã, bởi mỗi lần đứng dậy là một lần tôi hiểu mình hơn, thương đời hơn.
Tôi mong được yêu, được tin, được cháy lên những cảm xúc nồng nàn như nắng đầu hạ, vừa trong trẻo vừa mãnh liệt.
Và trên tất cả, tôi chờ đợi chính mình của những ngày phía trước, một phiên bản can đảm, tự do, và không ngừng vươn về phía ánh sáng.
Translation: I entered my twenties, carrying in my heart a gentle yet persistent fire, the fire of dreams and the desire to live my life to the fullest.
I'm excited to go, see, and touch horizons that in the past I only dared to dream about during long, quiet nights.
Twenty is when I'm no longer afraid of falling, because every time I stand up, I understand myself better and love life more.
I hope to be loved, to be trusted, to burn with passionate emotions like the early summer sunshine, both clear and intense.
And above all, I wait for myself in the days ahead, a brave, free version, and constantly reaching towards the light.
Phương, I love how we met by pure chance but ended up sharing so much of ourselves and creating these wonderful images. As I made my way west of Hanoi to Mai Chau, you were leaving your uni in Hanoi to go back to your hometown, Khu Dong Khi in Tân Lạc. It was almost tết (lunar new year) and it is tradition for viet folks to spend that time with their families. We happened to be in the same rideshare that was stuck in traffic, and a few hours late. As we were both headed to the mountains, we got to chat and it was so easy for us to become friends and relate to each other. I’m so grateful you invited me over for dinner at your parent’s house even though that was a very unusual thing for you to do with someone that you just met. Your mother’s cooking was amazing and I am so happy to have shared these memories of riding through your countryside village with you while you showed me around. We stayed up late as you shared your hopes and dreams and asked about what it's like being a solo female traveler. Could you tell me more about your dreams of traveling?
Phương: Tôi từng nghĩ đời mình sẽ mãi quẩn quanh bên những cội rễ thân thuộc, chuyện đi xa sao mà vời vợi. Rồi cậu đến, một người lạ từ phương xa. Ta bắt đầu từ những điều vụn vặt nhất, thế mà có thể nán lại trong câu chuyện của nhau lâu đến lạ.
Với tôi, giấc mơ đi xa chưa bao giờ chỉ để ngắm cảnh, mà tôi còn muốn đi nhặt nhạnh những câu chuyện chưa từng được vén màn. Lớn lên ở một vùng quê nhỏ, tôi khao khát được chạm vào sự gắn bó chân thật giữa người với người. Tôi muốn lắng nghe những thanh âm đời thường dung dị nhất ở muôn nơi, để học những bài học bé nhỏ từ những người xa lạ. Suy cho cùng, đi là để phá vỡ giới hạn và tìm thấy bản ngã của chính mình.
Tôi cứ nhớ mãi đêm ấy, hai người lạ nằm cạnh nhau rủ rỉ về chuyện đời. Bình yên đến lạ. Tựa như mọi ước mơ đều bỗng chốc xích lại thật gần, chẳng còn là viển vông nữa.
Nhìn cậu, tôi như thấy chính mình của tương lai quay về, khẽ cười và bảo:
"Rồi mình sẽ làm được thôi."
This single is a bridge. The first step of a larger EP built to carry me from who I was to who I am becoming. We are entering the last chapter of an old era because this is the last time I want to write from a place of loneliness, toxicity, and impulse. This is the beginning of something much bigger. On the other side is someone more refined, someone grounded, someone finally at peace.
I’m friggin pumped to show New York what REGOTHERESHEGO is all about😘
Photo & Edit 📸: @sinweng_
Oshun is the yoruba goddess of love, beauty, prosperity, and fertility. She is both powerful and resilient, as well as a sweet and nurturing. She is often depicted in sweet waters, such as rivers or streams and is called upon by those who suffer infertility issues. Her followers pray to her during times of drought and poverty. Oshun is revered in many cultures and religions. She is known as Oxum in Brasil in the Candomblé religion, in Cuba as Ochun in Santería and in Haiti as Erzulie-Freda-Dahomey. What is it about Oshun that you resonate so deeply with?
G: Oshun resonates with me because of her balance of strength and sweetness. She is powerful and resilient, yet playful, nurturing, and full of joy. She walks closely with me in my life, reminding me to embrace my light unapologetically, to celebrate beauty, laughter, and abundance, and to share kindness and compassion with others. I feel her presence in quiet moments, in the flow of water, and in times when I need guidance or encouragement. Oshun inspires me to honor both my strength and my softness, to approach life with courage and gratitude, and to live fully while uplifting those around me.
S: One thing i admire most about you is how you are able to be unapologetically yourself. Have you always been so confident?
G: Thank you, that means a lot. I wouldn’t say I’ve always been this confident, it’s something I grew into over time. Learning to accept myself fully and let go of what others think has been a big part of that. I’m still growing, but I try to show up as myself every day.
Sangita:
my summer was defined by immense grief, spent mourning my grandmother who I respect and miss so much for her introspection, strength, and fervent care for anyone who entered her life. hindu ritual asks those mourning loved ones to wear white, guiding them towards the spiritual realm and that as their physical bodies embark on a journey back to the earth, we feed the earth and the energetic pathway ahead of them with movement, song, fire, food and gathering to fuel them for their journey to the next life. the bodies that still walk this life have an extraordinary power to tend to the non/physical— we just have to listen closely and pace the way.
as we enter the autumn, when the trees and the sun and the animals prepare for a season of rest and rebirth, i have felt so powerful and deeply grounded in the process of grieving and aiding my aaji on this journey through the spiritual realm that has made me feel more connected than ever to the infinite lives in our universe, and how to be prepared both to live them all and to let go of them all.
Lotus, I am so happy that life has brought us together. You’re such a sweetie pie and I always appreciate folks who can be authentically themselves. Our shared experiences as first gen asian americans really allowed us to connect on a deeper level, there were many moments where you allowed yourself to be vulnerable in telling me about your childhood. How do you navigate being the child of immigrants and the pursuit of being an artist? What kind of advice would you give others?
L: Being the child of immigrants shapes how I move through the world. I carry their sacrifices and dreams, the hope that our family will be free and successful. Many immigrant parents see success as a straight path: school, career, family, stability. My path is different, which has caused friction, but I know their wishes run deeper than any set idea.
Choosing art isn’t easy. At times I feel pulled to give it up, return to school, and follow a safer path. But I remind myself my ancestors endured so I could have choices. Their survival lets me choose joy instead of just performing success.
My family gave me a new canvas. My grandparents survived the Khmer genocide, and their dream was for our bloodline to thrive. For me, thriving means creating. When people feel safe, they create. When survival is the only focus, creativity feels impossible. I see why my family views art as unrealistic, but to me it proves their sacrifices worked. My art honors their journey.
For anyone who relates, stay rooted in what feels true! Comparison is everywhere, but it can become compassion when we remember everyone is doing their best. Success doesn’t look the same for everyone. Sometimes it is simply waking up, trying again, and staying present.
If you take anything away, let it be this: when in doubt, make art! That doesn’t always mean a masterpiece. It means living boldly on your terms. Your life is the greatest art you’ll ever make—messy, experimental, unfolding day by day. In living authentically, you’ve already made the most beautiful art there is.
In honor of the last day of AAPI month 💕
Angel, I had such a great time on our chinatown
adventures! The roti canai we devoured afterwards THE cherry on top. You said that you wanted to wear this outfit because it is special to you, and that it was something you got when you went to the Philippines last year. I know prior to then, it had been a really long time since you went back. What was that experience like for you?
A: The top I’m wearing is part of the traditional Filipiniana attire, known for its signature butterfly sleeves.This style dates back to pre-colonial times and has always been something my family wears during important family events like weddings and anniversaries. I chose it for this shoot because I wore it recently during my parents’ 30th wedding anniversary, which we celebrated last December in the Philippines. They renewed their vows at St. Augustine Church in Manila, the same place they first got married.
It was my first time back in almost 10 years, and the experience was completely different from the last time I visited. The last time I went, I was still figuring out who I was. I hadn’t fully embraced my cultural identity, especially coming from a predominantly white high school where I felt like I had to hide parts of myself and my culture. This time around, I showed up as someone who has really stepped into who I truly am, both culturally and as an artist. I felt more present, more connected, and more me than ever!
One of the most moving moments of the trip was hearing a harana (Filipino form of serenade) where someone sings heartfelt songs to express love. This group of singers sang some of my favorite Tagalog songs and played guitar to my family and I during our dinner. It was so beautiful and really moved me. I couldn't stop crying while eating! As a songwriter, I found so much inspiration in that moment. The emotion evoked by these artists remind me why I love being a singer so much and how much I want people to feel the same when they hear my music. Embracing my roots has completely transformed how I create. I’m no longer searching for who I need to be, I’m creating from a place of who I already am!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY VANESSA!!! Art has truly brought us together and kept us connected for so many years. I am honored to be your friend and to be there with you on your journey as you continue to blossom! You always offer me warm words of encouragement and support. Birthdays are always a time for reflection and I am in awe of all the ways you’ve started to honor yourself this past year. I know it can be tough for us to be kind to ourselves but in your healing journey, you have instilled some morning practices of self care that have changed your relationship to yourself. Could you enlighten us on the ways you hold space for yourself before your day starts and how it has impacted you?
V: Art truly has kept us connected, and it’s been so beautiful to grow alongside you, both creatively and as friends. It is always such a pleasure and an honor to create with you.
Last year I found myself caught in a cycle of anxiety, overthinking and emotional imbalance. One morning around this time, I randomly decided to try a morning routine, and it just stuck.
It’s been over 6 months since I started this routine, and it's had a huge impact on my life and outlook. I do the regular things, like brushing my teeth and making my bed. Then, I practice yoga and meditation. After that I journal, but not in a “dear diary” way. It’s more affirmations, gratitude lists, or scripting about a desire I’m manifesting. I burn palo santo to cleanse the energy and wake up my senses. And then I pray. My prayers lately have felt more like conversations with God, where I receive guidance or reassurance. I end with a mindful walk around my neighborhood, taking deep breaths and usually listening to music.
This routine has been a way to check in with myself and identify where I may need extra nurturing that day. Some mornings, my heart feels so full I could burst. Other times, I just get through it and go back to bed. But either way, it has changed how I start my day, how I see myself, and how I move through the world. As I enter into this next year of life, I'm excited to bring these practices with me. Inviting more presence, honesty, and gratitude into my life daily.
Sin: I have been thinking about storytelling and all the different forms of it, from theatre to preserving history to film and everything in between. I loved how this shoot is different from anything we have ever created before together. This shoot was very cinematic, with themes of melancholy, longing, perhaps even a bit of nostalgia. Queen, when you step into a role, what is your mental process for acting out a new character?
Q: I absolutely loved this shoot too.
Ever since I was a child I loved to play pretend. It was something so magical about being able to become any character that came to mind without fear of judgement. Acting as in adult allows you to dive back into your inner child. The stage/set is a like playground and you have the most fun when you let go and play.
When I am presented with the challenge of becoming a new character, I get to know them personally. I create a backstory for them and I make sure they have depth and reasoning for being who they are. I become this person and I know everything about them from how they handle conflict to their favorite color & breakfast food. Before performing as them, I completely immerse myself in their essence & preparing myself to tell their story through their lens. It’s truly one of the most magical experiences to be able to be so many other people while still being myself.
S: I'm sure you learn so much about yourself by stepping into new and different roles. Thank you for sharing with us your thought process as you prep for a new role. Do you have any advice for folks who are trying to get into acting?
Q: For anyone that wants to get into acting I would advise them to prepare themselves for one of the most freeing experiences you can have. It takes such vulnerability to be able to get in front of people and perform. You’re literally using your whole body, your mannerisms, your voice. Know what stories you want to tell, be open to exploring new versions of yourself & don’t hold yourself back. When you let go of who you think you’re supposed to be in a character and just become one with who they are, the magical options of storytelling are endless.
Happy Valentines Day! 💕
Matea, I love the way this shoot came together from the start of the concept to the final vision!! Shout out to Mags for letting us use your place to shoot, it fit the vibe perfectly!
I remember us talking about the dreams and aspirations that brought you to Philly. I know that before, you were really serious about pole vaulting and had been doing it for 15 years. Your dream at that point was making it to the Olympics until you had an accident that made you quit vaulting. Your dreams of wanting to fly translated to wanting to go to circus school, which ultimately brought you to Philly. From then, the pursuit of wanting to be a performer changed from circus to dance. There is no denying your strong passion for dance. What has dance taught you about yourself?
Matea: Having only been a dancer for the last two years, I feel beyond lucky to have finally realized how important dance is to me. Dance has opened my eyes to how deeply connected to my grandma I am. She started dancing in her 30s and is still the most beautiful dancer in the Bay Area today at 89.
When I dance, I feel as if I transcend into some other cosmic plane where the music moves through me in the purest expression of emotions and feelings. It also feels like the ultimate catalyst for connection with the world and people around me. To find out in my late 20s that my Nana feels exactly the same way is beyond fulfilling and has brought us closer on a deep and magical level. I feel her moving with me every time I dance. I cherish this and couldn’t be more grateful to dance alongside my Nana spiritually 24/7 and physically whenever I get to go home to see her in Oakland.
Dance has taught me that the most important thing is connecting with the people around us. To me, in its truest form, the art form of dance is about connecting with the music, yourself, each other, and the earth. It is so rewarding to finally understand that. Learning that helped me realize that my purpose on this earth is to dance.
Sin: TY! I love how our friendship has blossomed! You are truly an inspiration as an artist, friend, and a businesswoman. I remember one of our first conversations we had when we were getting to know one another, you told me about your decision to quit your job to pursue working for yourself full time. There was uncertainty and a lot of unknowns about what that would look like for you. Since then you have done so much!! Tell me about your LLC @4bidden4ruit
TY: I quit my job in January 2024, stepping into a world of uncertainty with faith and determination. A year later, I’ve manifested experiences that are priceless. This decision set off a chain reaction of beautiful changes, including this collaboration with you. On this day, it felt amazing to be out in nature creating art instead of spending another Friday afternoon at my desk working for someone else.
Forbidden Fruit is a creative wellness organization that my partner, Stonez, and I founded in 2019. We incorporated in 2022, with a mission to empower artists and art lovers through transformative experiences. We’ve been a team of two for 6 years now, and the journey has taught us a lot.
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that change accelerates when we slow down. Quitting my job, setting boundaries, & redistributing my energy intentionally allowed me to experience growth on physical, mental, & professional levels. It’s easy to approach a leap like this with an “I could never” mindset, but with the right perspective and plan, professional autonomy is within reach for all of us. For me, there wasn’t time to be scared, it all felt destined.
Since making that leap, Forbidden Fruit has celebrated milestones I’m incredibly proud of: hosting our inaugural Root 2 Fruit Festival, receiving two large grants, being recognized by the Philadelphia Inquirer, & doubling our community reach.
To anyone reading this: choose what helps you slow down, because that’s when real change begins. I’m grateful for this collection of images that you captured so beautifully, Sin, to represent such a transformative time in life!
Can yall guess where we were? Swipe to the end to peep location vs photo. You can really work with what you got. There are an infinite amount of ways to be creative with lighting. The biggest thing with photography is that you really need to get out there and experiment. The more you experiment, the easier it is to be able to recognize and see composition that works.
I had a fun time exploring for this shoot because I am mostly a natural light photographer. I like shooting during the day and using the sun. Shooting when it's dark is a relatively new venture for me so this was a cool way to experiment and learn. Every time we link, your skin is always radiant, clear, and moisturized. You look like you're ready for a photoshoot at all times! In addition to being a visual artist, I know you make things involving scents like candles and oils as well as creating a whole skin care line! Do you use your own products?
T: Firstly! Thank you! Your skin is just as radiant if not more beautiful!. I absolutely love using and experimenting with my products. I enjoy the alchemy that is skincare… creating with intention ignites me and creating products that allow people to see results motivates me to push forward in expanding my art.
S: What are some of your favorite products from your line that you like to use?
T: Even though I create it, I’m low key obsessed with my Hyper Human Glass skin kit! It really works. I took time on crafting the ingredients until they aligned. I also drink a gallon of water a day… I’m sure that aids in the process.
S: Thank you for sharing. What was the inspiration for creating skin care products?
T: Eczema used to really take over my face and body… I tried prescriptions, creams, etc… at 19 I started making my own products. When I worked as Fantasia's makeup artist, I took it seriously because she had a breakout before touring. My cream cleared her skin in days. That product hasn’t changed since. I love the Hyper Human Glass skin kit.
