It's early in the morning but Kelly Marie Tran's energy is off the charts.

She greets the press pack with a cheery smile and a wave, and you wouldn’t have guessed she had woken up at the crack of dawn and already sat through several lengthy on-camera interviews.

It's her first time in Singapore, and what little of it she's seen from inside a car, she likes. Disney hasn't yet brought her to any local food attractions, but it's on her to-do list.

The 28-year-old actress is here to promote the latest film in the Star Wars franchise, The Last Jedi. She plays Rose Tico, an engineer who joins the Resistance and fights alongside Rey, Finn and Poe Dameron.

A first for Star Wars

The Vietnamese-American is a genuine groundbreaker. She's the first actress of Asian ethnicity to have a prominent role in a Star Wars film, and the first Asian-American woman to be on the cover of Vanity Fair.

"I did feel a lot of pressure in the beginning to represent something, which is both an honour and a responsibility at the same time, I just want to do it justice.

I keep saying that I remember growing up and feeling like I hadn't seen anyone that looked like me and now I'm like, I can't believe I'm in it!"

The daughter of Vietnamese immigrants, Tran candidly admits that her command of the language isn't quite as good as her parents. According to them, her Vietnamese is more "street-level". But she's been brushing up, as her next stop after Singapore is in fact Vietnam.

However, Tran's role doesn't just introduce more racial diversity in the Star Wars universe.

Rose Tico also joins both Rey from The Force Awakens and Jyn Erso from Rogue One as major female characters in the newly minted Star Wars universe, something that Tran is excited about.

"I think that we are part of a really exciting time right now. The world is changing, and we're starting to see different types of people in movies and very different stories in film, and I'm excited to be part of that change."

Working with the Skywalker siblings

But one can't talk about female characters in Star Wars without mentioning the one who paved the way, the legendary Carrie Fisher, who died aged 60 in Dec. 2016.

Tran can't confirm whether she shares a scene with General Leia Organa, but they did meet, and she got to spend time with the grand dame of sci-fi.

"She's just incredible. She has no definition. She's someone who was just shamelessly, openly herself. That sounds easy but it's really hard when you're in front of millions of people. She was unapologetic about it and it's something that I completely look up to and strive for."

Princess Leia wasn't the only Skywalker sibling that Tran got to meet. She worked with Mark Hamill, Luke Skywalker himself, and enjoyed every minute of it.

"He is just so funny and welcoming and open. It's just great to be part of something that he's also part of. He's not someone who's intimidating. When you meet him it's like meeting a fan."

Joining the franchise

How does one become part of Star Wars anyway? Tran said that the entire audition process took about five months.

It began with cold readings, then readings where the director and writers are present, and then a "chemistry read" (where a new actor auditions with an existing cast member to determine their on-screen chemistry) with John Boyega, who plays Finn the reformed Stormtrooper.

Finally, there's an audition on set in full costume.

Tran mentioned that not being a huge Star Wars fan growing up helped her during the auditions, as she was able to separate Rose's character from the 40-year-old franchise, and just focus on the script.

It must have worked. During a later fan event at the Apple Store in Orchard Road, a behind-the-scenes video was played of Rian Johnson, the writer and director of The Last Jedi, where he said the following:

"I really like Kelly. She's the character that I had in my head when I was writing (Rose). One of the many reasons why Kelly was right for the part was seeing her and John spark off each other."

Keeping the news from her family

Tran says she was "on the verge of tears" when she was told she had landed the part. But she had to keep the news a secret from her family for months.

"I couldn't tell them for about four months. I moved to London without telling my family and friends. I had an alibi, I said I was doing a very small independent movie in Canada. I would send them photos of street views in Canada."

Tran researched the role extensively, reading books and online articles listening to podcasts. She even spoke to her parents about their experience during the Vietnam War for help with invoking those emotions during some of her scenes.

Although she didn't know anyone in London, Tran enjoyed spending time there with the rest of the film's cast.

"Even when I wasn't working on set, I would come and watch everyone. I would walk around aimlessly and poke my head around doors and go "Hey, what are you doing?"

She recalls Daisy Ridley (who plays Rey) making a pizza for her birthday from scratch, and hanging out with Hamill and also Boyega's family. She describes Boyega as probably her "favourite person on the planet".

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Becoming part of film history

Tran seems aware of the impact of her role, as part of a global cultural phenomenon. She recalls a particular moment while shooting an action scene with Boyega, which she says was her favourite of the entire experience.

"I remember it like it was yesterday. There were all these things happening, you're hearing all these noises and seeing all these amazing sets. We finished the take and he turns to me and he goes 'Kelly, we're making history.'

You are part of this thing that is so much bigger than you. It's incredible."

Does the former indie actor have any advice for Singaporean artists who are chasing their own dreams?

"I believe that if you're a good person, and you work hard, and concentrate on the work, do not be distracted by parties and people telling you what you should or should not do, if you stay true to yourself, you will get there. Truly, I believe that."

Tran finishes the interview as she started, with another beaming smile and a wave goodbye.

When the movie is finally released, she will be one of the most famous people in the sci-fi universe, with a heck of a legacy to uphold. She seems up to the task.

Top image courtesy of Geek Culture.

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