Michael was born and raised in the Netherlands. His parents are from Indonesia. He graduated from the film actors academy Amsterdam (faaam) in 2013 and can be seen not only in film and television series, but also on stage. In 2021 he can be seen in the theater performance Hollandsch Glorie, which is about inclusiveness and diversity in Dutch history.

What kind of upbringing did you have? There is also a term: “Tiger parents or Tiger mom”. Did you have a similar upbringing?
My parents wanted me to study medical school at university. I wanted something completely different myself, but luckily I was given the space to eventually do what I chose myself.

Are there any taboos or things that you can’t discuss with your parents?
Never felt like I dared to talk openly about relationships and sexuality.

Do you feel close with your Asian roots or not?
I am proud of my Asian roots!

Did you ever feel ashamed of you being Asian?

Once I was ashamed of my Asian appearance (eyes and height).

Did you ever have a role model when you grew up?
I wanted to look like white and black movie stars, but found it confronting to notice that I could never look like myself because of my Asian appearance.

What do you think of the Asian representation in The Netherlands? 

Very under represented. When there’s something Asian to see, it’s almost always a stereotype that I was ashamed of.

Do you feel like you’re the ‘The Asian Model Minority Myth’?
I have no idea. Would at least like to show that not all Asians look the same and that the Dutch can also have an Asian appearance.

What made you who you are now? 

Many setbacks, disappointments and victories In life.

Have people also made comments about you being Chinese? How did you react to this, what did you feel?

Chinese looking angry in his eyes. Super annoying and sometimes I reply back that I look angry because of these stupid comments.

What are stereotype Asians in your opinion and where does that come from? Do you see other Asians like those stereotypes?

A director who first asked for me to play my text with a Chinese accent. Then I understood my objection and told me to play it without an accent, but it was only during the broadcast that I found out that they had replaced my voice with Chinese voice.

What stereotypes and comments have you heard about your appearance? Do you identify with that too? How do you see yourself compared to how others see you? What do you feel and how do you feel when people make such comments?
Chinese looking angry from his eyes. Super annoying and sometimes I reply back that I look angry because of these stupid comments.

What racist remarks and discrimination have you experienced? Have you experienced it before? Where, when, how? Which experience do you remember most? So has it gotten worse with the Coronavirus? What do you feel and how do you feel when people make such comments?
A director who first asked for me to play my text with a Chinese accent. Then I understood my objection and told me to play it without an accent, but it was only during the broadcast that I found out that they had replaced my voice with Chinese voice.

What is a funny trait or tell something that not everyone knows about you
I speak French fluently and can make delicious cocktails

In Asian culture, it is normal as a woman to get married as soon as possible, have children, and become a housewife. Because when you have a husband, you have children, you have “made” it in life. How do you see it?
In my environment, I saw many things happening that my friends were married and had children at a young age. I myself started it much later, but I think it still had to do indirectly or unconsciously with a certain “peer pressure/expectation”.

Where do you stand now and what are your plans for the future?
I would like to be a source of inspiration for people who, like me, have insecurities about their Asian appearance. That they can see an example in me that they can be proud of their appearance and that they dare to use their talents to show that Asians are more than stereotypes.

What do you want to give to the readers?
I hope that people will realize that the Dutch can also look Asian and that Asia is more than just East and Southeast Asia. My wish is that people realize that certain comments about Asians that are meant to be funny are actually very hurtful and racist.

Where can we follow you:

@michael_schnorr