2024 Renegades Snapshot: From Daydreamers to Changemakers

As we near the close of 2024, Gold House is proud to take a moment to reflect on the incredible, Asian Pacific trailblazers who graciously shared their heartfelt stories and winding career journeys with us over the course of the year.

With each issue, we ask our Renegades, “What did you want to be when you were growing up and how does that compare to where you are today?” To inspire the next generation of Asian Pacific leaders as we look towards a new year, we wanted to share some of our favorite responses in an effort to showcase that it’s not just about where you start, it’s about where you’re heading!

Jon M. Chu, Director

When I was probably in like third or fourth grade I wanted to go into animation and then I got a camera in my hand, and I never let that go. I always remember thinking that I wanted to tell stories in a big theater with a lot of people of all ages and people from all around the world in a big spectacle form, so I feel I'm very grateful that my journey has led me to a place that is similar to that. And that it's just the beginning.

Anna Sawai, Actress

I remember as a young child I wanted to be like Britney Spears. Once I was in my twenties, I joined a girl band which was the closest thing to Britney I’d be, but my love for acting actually outgrew my desire to be a singer in my teens and that’s what’s brought me where I am.

Prabal Gurung, Designer

All I ever wanted to be while growing up was free and unapologetically myself. It started with this whole idea that I could never belong to a group, so I kind of had to be in my own world. Fashion and creativity became an early signifier of that simply because I would see my mother get dressed up, transform herself, and tell a story of a version of herself to the world, very freeing and liberating.

Tammy Henault, CMO of the NBA

My mother spent her life managing diabetes. She was diagnosed in her late 20s and had to take insulin shots twice a day. She hated needles and it was a constant burden ever since I could remember. When I was growing up I wanted to become a doctor to help find a cure. I thought I was going to be Pre-Med when I went to college, but I was not inspired by the coursework and ultimately changed to Communications my Freshman year.

Daniel Dae Kim, Actor, Activist

I went to college wanting to pursue a degree in Political Science, with an eye toward going to law school. I’d say that’s pretty different from working as an actor, but I think my interest in that area has informed my advocacy work, and I’m grateful that I’ve been able to merge both through my career.

Drew Afualo, Content Creator

I think I always wanted to be in entertainment as a child, but wasn’t sure what vehicle would lead me there! I just knew I wanted to make people happy in an entertaining environment.

Sean Wang, Director

I wanted to be the frontman of a punk band and/or pro skater. Both are very different from what I do today and also neither of them happened (sad).

Jenn Tran, Nurse, Reality Television Star

Oh gosh, I wanted to be a wedding planner when I was growing up. And then I wanted to be a teacher, and then I wanted to be a doctor. That’s now kind of in the range of where I’m at now. But originally it was a wedding planner!

Vikas Khanna, Chef

I just wanted to be a chef. The big change is that I only aspired to cook in community kitchens of The Golden Temple in Amritsar & now I cook in NY.

Scout Basset, Paralympian, Track and Field Athlete

Growing up, I was a Poli-Sci nerd, so I thought I wanted to go into public service. I really wanted to work for the State Department. Funny to see where I am now, compared to what I thought I would be doing with my life.

Raja Gemini, Drag Queen

I wanted to be exactly this when I grew up. I’m not sure I had an actual definition or a definite look or what it is exactly I was going to be doing in my life. But I knew as a young person, as a child growing up that one day I would get to wear whatever I wanted to wear and be celebrated for it. I would be somehow famous and glamorous. I would live in a creative world where I would be surrounded by creativity. So I’m exactly the person I imagined myself to be when I grew up.

Hiroyuki Sanada, Actor, Producer

When I was 5 years old, I saw my debut movie, which was also my first experience watching a movie, which I saw in a screening room in a studio. Then I thought that I want to continue this job in the future. I couldn’t think of doing any other jobs since then. Even now, I never feel bored about acting.