Marco Polo‘s Olivia Cheng Can Probably Kick Your Ass
Don’t let Olivia Cheng’s graceful features fool you. The woman is a warrior.
Since starting acting classes at the age of 6 in her hometown of Edmonton, Alberta, Cheng has fought her way up the industry food chain, working through a correspondence gig at ET Canada and dozens of television guest spots on shows like The Flash, Arrow and Supernatural. Now, Cheng has a starring role on Netflix’s Marco Polo — as concubine/badass assassin Mei Lin — the second season of which launches this Friday.
“She’s a master chess player when it comes to making moves that mean life or death,” Cheng says of her character. “She’s basically a human weapon now. There’s still a fair bit of nudity [laughs], but I’ve got some amazing fight scenes coming too. I have to leave it at that!”
Would you rather start a celebrity feud with Mariah Carey or Madonna?
Oh my god! I think Mariah Carey because I’d love to hear her sing her insults to me. One of those songs that everyone knows who it’s about. She has an incredible voice, so even if she really laid the smackdown on me, god, it would be beautiful. I’d make it my ringtone.
Would you rather third wheel on a date with Beyonce and Jay Z or Victoria and David Beckham?
Is that even a real question? Jay Z and Beyonce. If they fought in front of me, I’d just be quiet and watch and allow them space to work it out. And then I would kneel, bow and thank them for the privilege. Bring it in for a hug.
Would you rather have to hear Christmas music every single day or eat the same Thanksgiving dinner every single day?
Thanksgiving dinner everyday! That’s not even a punishment. I’d be all about that turkey!
Would you rather wear wet socks for the rest of your life or only wash your hair once every 6 months?
Oh jeez. I think I’d go with…oh god, there’d be foot fungi. So, it’s either foot fungi or an oily, scratchy head! Smelly head or smelly feet. You have to think about this. I’m going to go with the wet socks, because I can at least put them in shoes.
Would you rather always laugh when everyone is crying or always cry when everyone is laughing?
I guess I’d rather cry when everyone is laughing because it could mean that there’s something that everyone is missing about the moment. There’s always that one person who has to do that.
Would you rather be without internet for a year or relive your most embarrassing moments for a month?
You gotta really think about these! I think I’ll take the year without internet. I don’t love how tethered to technology we are. They’re both great opportunities to grow! The embarrassing moments for a month would give me a new perspective, while no internet would help me cut ties with an addiction. Gotta cut that addiction, see what happens!
Photography: Liz Rosa
