Photographer: [Dylan Perlot](https://instagram.com/dylanperlot) at Exclusive Artists. Wardrobe Stylist: [Sky JT Naval](https://instagram.com/sky_is_dlimit). Hair Stylist: [Carolina Yasukawa](https://instagram.com/yasulina) at Exclusive Artists. Make Up Artist: [Robert Bryan](https://instagram.com/robertti) at Exclusive Artists. Creative Director: [Dina Vibes](https://instagram.com/dinavibes_) .
[Mayling Ng](https://www.instagram.com/maylingng/?hl=en) is the definition of a success story if there ever was one. She transformed from a bigger, stocky build to a superhero body as the UK-born actress and fitness guru made the conscious effort to change her life for the better. She dedicates her daily habits to eating healthy, working out, and doing anything possible to feel her very best, which fueled her pursuit in achieving her wildest dreams in the film industry.
Mayling describes herself as a “former nomad that traveled the world looking to find her place.” With multiple careers which included owning 3 protein restaurants at one point, she states, “I started with my family‘s business doing the Asian restaurants, then I got into fitness”. Restaurants are great money, but I wasn't happy. I had a 3-bedroom villa, with a pool and 2 dogs but my life was unfulfilled. I moved away to Bali and found myself again, then decided to pursue my dream in the film business. I started in Hong Kong and ended up in LA.”
Currently wearing the Hong Kong to Hollywood story on her sleeve, Mayling has a lot to celebrate. With a black belt in Martial Arts and representing her roots in Singapore doing fitness championships around the world, Mayling landed her biggest role to date: DC Comics and Warner Bros. Pictures’ superhero action adventure film [_The Suicide Squad_](http://www.thesuicidesquad.com/)_,_ out now on HBOMax and in theaters.
Flaunt caught up with Mayling via Zoom to discuss her upbringing overseas, changing her life for the better, her workout regime, love for acting, her first big break, how she landed the role as Mongal, mastering Shaolin Kung Fu, and more!
Photographer: [Storm Santos](https://instagram.com/stormshoots). Wardrobe Stylist: [Haili Pue](instagram.co./allzedetails). Hair Stylist: [Carolina Yasukawa](https://instagram.com/yasulina) at Exclusive Artists. Make Up Artist: [Robert Bryan](https://instagram.com/robertti) at Exclusive Artists.
**You’re from the UK originally, right?**
Yes, I was born in the UK to an English mother and a Singaporean-Chinese father. Then, when I was 13-years-old, I moved to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. My family is still there. Hopefully, I’ll get to visit them soon. I haven’t seen them since before the pandemic.
**What was a young Mayling like growing up there?**
I grew up with five brothers, so I was a bit of a tomboy. Even though I practiced martial arts, I was always thick, strong, and a little chubby – or “stocky,” as we say in England. I never felt comfortable in my own skin and, as a result, didn’t have a lot of confidence. It wasn’t until I was 28-years old that I had an epiphany of sorts and realized that, although I may never be thin like the girls in the magazines, there was nothing stopping me from becoming the best version of myself. So, I changed my diet and my training regimen. My body really responded. Fortunately, my new physique was in line with what Hollywood was looking for because it led directly to me getting cast as Orana, an Amazon in “Wonder Woman.”
**What’s your workout regime now?**
On a typical day, I’ll wake up, grab a coffee, and practice Shaolin Kung Fu with my Wushu Shaolin Entertainment team. Then, I’ll come home, have breakfast, and go to the gym to lift weights. My body responds to heavy weights, so I’ll lift really heavy, in order to maintain that strong and sculpted look. My only cardio comes from Kung Fu. After the gym, I’ll come home, have my high GI carbs with my protein drink, in order to replace the glycogen.
**When did you start acting? Do you remember your first big break?**
My first credit was in Singapore as a mamasam, a woman who is in charge of the bar and the girls, in a movie called _Mister John_ with Aidan Gillen from _Game of Thrones._ A year later, I was in a Hong Kong-set martial arts movie, titled _Lady Bloodfight_, in which I played Svietta, the baddie. They were looking for an actress who could do a Russian accent and, even though I didn’t know how to do one, I said I could and spent the next 24-hours teaching myself by watching videos on YouTube.
**You taught myself?**
Yes. Two weeks later, I was on set in Hong Kong. After that movie, I was able to get a visa and move to LA.
**How are you liking Los Angeles?**
It’s my home. It brings me peace. All of my life, I never fit in. I didn’t know what I wanted to do or where I wanted to live. I competed in bikini and figure competitions. In 2011, I placed silver. I didn’t even think I would, I just did it for my personal training business. I was invited to compete in America in 2013 at the World Championships, which is the Arnold classic. I landed in LA rather than spend the week in Ohio. The day I landed in LA, my life had changed. I remember I went to Whole Foods in Santa Monica, I felt the vibes and sunshine. Everyone was wearing caps and chill, with this creative vibe that I was looking for and thought: “Wow, this is where I’m supposed to be.” It felt like home instantly.
I love America and LA, it’s my forever home. I’ve stopped traveling, stopped being a nomad and have been here for 6 amazing years now.
**Congrats on your role in the upcoming _The Suicide Squad._ How exciting is that? That’s amazing.**
If I got hit by a bus right now, I’d die with a smile on my face because I’m so grateful to James Gunn for hiring me to play Mongal the first live representation of this character. The experience has been beyond my wildest dreams.
**How was the filming process?**
It was a massive production in one of the biggest studios, so everything was larger than life. The atmosphere was great and really lively. The cast was unbelievable and I would have given my left leg to work with them. It was an opportunity I’ll never forget. It would be hard to top it, to be honest. It was the biggest construction in production that’s ever happened. Even the beach scene, was a studio construction with ten of us in the water at spa temperature. It was fantastic and everything was done immaculately by James Gunn. You want to do your best for that guy because you appreciate his work and vision.
**Is the preparation hard, in terms of physicality?**
To be honest, I’m always training more for my mind. It keeps me mentally strong and ready for anything. If I’m booked for a role and they want me to be a specific way, wearing a costume like Mongal, then I’m coming in really ripped and as good as I can be. The training is always there but it’s the diet that I manipulate. I know how to prep for a role because I’ve been competing and prepping for films for the last 10 years.
**Talk about mastering the Shaolin Kung Fu 9 Weapons.**
I train with the Wushu Shaolin Entertainment team. We’re a performing team and do demonstrations, perform on TV, and such. When I was 8-years-old, I practiced Hung Gar Kung Fu and, then, Lau Gar. Later, because I moved countries, it was hard to master anything. Now that I’ve been in LA for five years and found this really great time, I’ve been able to practice consistently and advance. Right now, I’m certified in the 9 Weapons, which is the level of black belt. (The whole curriculum is 18 Weapons so I am only halfway). I have the swords and kwandaos in that corner. \[shows weapons\] I keep fake ones in my car, just in case I get stopped.
**That reminds of _Black Widow,_ have you seen it?**
Yes I did. What I like is that we’re finally seeing female action heroes getting down and dirty, with their hair tied up, and wearing flat shoes. The scenes are becoming more realistic rather than just the need to look hot.
**How does it feel to be Asian on the big screen, representing your people?**
The reason I didn’t do this many years ago, I remember, was that I tried then and got defeated. I went to Hong Kong in 2003 and tried to do movies because nobody was like me. I was told I had no chance and I believed it. I’m not full Chinese and I’m not full white. I was never white enough or Asian enough. I’m really happy I represent all Asian girls mixed or full.
I’m really happy I represent a strong Asian female. It’s really empowering. Everyone loves the fact that Mongal is an alien. She doesn’t have to be Asian, but the girl that won the role is an Asian girl. It shows they want a really strong female, regardless of race. It was about wanting the best girl for the job. It hopefully shows that we are as strong and powerful as anyone else.
**Anything else you’d like to let us know?**
I’m currently in the middle of shooting my next movie, “Legend of the White Dragon,” with Green Power Ranger Jason David Frank and some other big cast members whose names will be revealed in time. I can’t say too much yet, but I may or may not have dropped some hints on Instagram, so be sure to check that out. Then, at the end of the year, I’ll go to England to play opposite retired UFC champion Michael Bisping in a boxing film called “The Journeyman.” The film will be directed by Dax Phelan and the role of Alina was written with me in mind. I’ll play a woman who’s looking to start her life over after escaping an abusive relationship. It’s dark and gritty and a very different kind of role for me. Plus, I get to use my mother’s Liverpool accent.
