Today we’d like to introduce you to Tan Huynh.
Hi Tan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey has been a path of learning about myself staying strong and growing. I began my life in Vietnam. Later moved to the United States with my mom and my stepdad. I felt the weight of the change.
When the family first arrived the family lived with my aunt and my uncle. Adjusting to the country the new language and the new culture already challenged the family. The period became even harder because serious personal trauma hitting me. The trauma was serious. After I experiencing harassment from a family member, my mom, my stepdad and I had to leave the home and move to Brooklyn Park. The sudden move marked a shaky chapter of my life. I struggled deeply with depression, I felt completely uprooted, I tried to rebuild a sense of safety a sense of identity and a sense of direction in the place.
Before and during that transition I attended Shakopee High School, where I was active, in the choir, the theater and the drama club, My major is Arts and Communication. Through those experiences I discovered that creative expression was powerful for me, singing, acting and performing helped me process emotions and reconnect with myself, that is where my interest, in modeling and acting truly began.
During my moments modeling and acting turned into more than an outlet. Modeling and acting became the way to survive. I used training to pull myself out of the place. I used performance to build the schedule, I used self expression to find the reason to keep going. Training gave me the structure, performance gave me the purpose. Self expression gave me the hope when I needed hope most.
Minnesota helped me grow and heal. I found a home, at D&A Talent, I began training with the owner Connie Steckling-Heideman. She’s guided me, believed in me. Connie helped me rebuilt my confidence, sharpened my skills. I am not a performer but also a professional. Through training, perseverance and industry exposure I have been able to work across the modeling the print, the runway and the acting projects. I have moved from learning opportunities to bookings.
That progress eventually led me to Los Angeles, where I immersed myself in a professional industry networking event. As my career continued to grow, I began expanding my opportunities beyond Minnesota. After competing and attending the event in Los Angeles, I met casting director Stephen H. Snyder — a connection that became an important milestone in my journey. I later began training with him as my on-camera acting coach. With nearly three decades of experience in casting, Stephen Snyder has worked on numerous Emmy Award–winning and multi-nominated music videos, independent films, and short projects. His casting work includes legendary music videos for iconic artists such as KISS, R.E.M, Michael Jackson, Cheap Trick, Nirvana, Tom Petty and more ETC..
Training with Casting Director Stephen Snyder gave me invaluable insight into audition technique, on-camera presence, and the professional expectations of the industry. His guidance helped bridge the gap between training environments and a real world industry work, allowing me to continue expanding my career with greater clarity and confidence. What began as a search for safety and self-expression has become a career rooted in authenticity, healing, and purpose. Modeling, Acting, and Singing didn’t just give me direction, they gave me a way forward.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The path has not been an easy one by any means. I have faced some emotional hurdles during my journey. Moving to the U.S. was a major source of emotional distress. Furthermore, my family situation was very confusing indeed, I was compelled to leave my surroundings and start afresh in a different setting. The process of leaving home and getting used to the new place was very taxing on my health. I lost my mental balance. At times I felt as if I were totally a stranger to myself, there were instances when I was doubting my own ability.
Personal woes were the inseparable part of the career, in modeling and acting. The career, in modeling and acting presented its own difficulties. I had to acquire knowledge of the profession. I had also to encounter rejection. I needed to gather courage to persist even when I didn’t notice any output. Learning the trade, dealing with rejection and developing confidence took quite a bit of time and required a strong will.
I was juggling between staying alive, believing in myself and setting long term goals. It was really hard and especially so when the progress was slow or not visible at all. The discipline and consistency were the factors that really helped me to cope with these hard times. The training gave me the structure, while the creativity provided me with an outlet and the support I got through mentors and the artistic community in Minnesota, helped me regain my confidence slowly but surely. The hardships didn’t stop me they molded me, they showed me how to be humble, flexible, and devoted to your personal development even when the way is not clear.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
As a multi-talented individual, I have taken up the roles of a model, an actor, and a creative performer. I have accumulated experience in diverse areas, such as commercials, print, fashion, and movies. I am a professional in those areas of expressive, story driven work that merge authenticity and professionalism, be it in front of the camera, in the midst of the production, or on stage. My choirs, theater, and drama background has influenced my performance approach through emotional awareness, discipline, and intention.
What I am most proud of is that I have built my career mainly through consistency and resilience. I did not have an easy or conventional route to follow, and every chance I have got has been through training, perseverance, and readiness to learn. I have poured a lot into my skill development through professional coaching, industry training, and getting hand on experience, all of which have been a gradual process of going from learning environments to professional bookings.
I’m currently represented by two agencies in Minnesota, Agency Models & Talent and Wehmann Agency, and also work with multiple agencies across different markets in the U.S. Both Agency and Wehmann gave me opportunities early in my career and played a huge role in helping me build a strong foundation when I was just starting out. I’m very grateful for their guidance, support, and belief in my potential. They’ve helped shape my professionalism, confidence, and understanding of the industry, and I truly value the relationships I’ve built with them
My storytelling and my mentality are what differentiate me from the rest. Along with my strong work ethic and respect for the industry, I infuse into my work, the lived experience, cultural viewpoint, and emotional depth of my personality. I do not consider modeling and acting as only about physical appearance rather, I see them as mediums for telling stories, creating bonds, and championing representation. MODELING AND ACTING IS MY CAREER. I am committed to long term growth, creative integrity, and using my platform to mirror resilience, authenticity, and purpose.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Taking risks and experimenting with different options have always been part of my approach to life. The most significant insight that I have derived from my journey through life is that resilience is an attribute that is made consistent with perseverance and not with perfection. There have been many occasions when the road ahead was not clearly marked, the rate of progress was minimal, or the situation was just too much to handle. I realized that attending to the problem, even on the most difficult days, was a more significant factor than having everything worked out.
Another major lesson has been importance of strong communication with my agents and agencies. That relationship is the foundation of a successful modeling and acting career, especially in the entertainment industry. Clear, honest, and respectful communication builds trust, keeps everyone aligned, and helps create better opportunities. When you communicate openly, you become a true partner in your own career. It allows your team to represent you more effectively and helps you grow with confidence and professionalism. I’ve learned that success isn’t built alone, it’s built through collaboration, trust, and mutual respect. I Want to take a moment to thank you my agencies: Agency Models & Talent and Wehmann Agency in Minnesota market , thank you so much for everything and supporting me , along with others agencies across different markets in the U.S.
Another important thing that I learned is to respect my voice and story. I have been doubting my past, my difficulties, and my differences for a long time whether they have any place in this industry or not. I came to recognize that those experiences are not disadvantages; rather, they are the very factors that give my work depth, authenticity, and meaning. Accepting myself has made it possible for me to bond with my art and other people more honestly.
Last but not least, I learned that development is a slow process. Either in life or in a creative career, the acquisition of new skills does not happen overnight. Training, discipline, and self-belief are gradual processes that can only be achieved over time. Trusting the process, staying grounded, and continuing to learn have been essential lessons that guide how I move forward today.
Pricing:
- Pricing varies depending on project scope, usage, and location.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://imdb.me/tanhuynhofficial
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tanhuynhofficial1510
