Thuy Trang: Yellow Ranger

Like many Asian immigrants who have migrated over to the United States due to poverty or restraint back in their homeland, Thuy Trang and her family were refugees by boat who came to the U.S. after the fall of Saigon to Communist forces in the year 1979.  The journey in which she endured carried memories of sickness and unconsciousness because the shortage of food and water subconsciously made them think that there would be no light at the end of the tunnel.  In fact, Trang was at a turning point of the trip where many people perceived her as dead or not worth being saved because she was wasting other healthy people’s food source.  But with her mother’s persistancy and perseverance, she would forcibly shoved food down Trang’s throat, which gave her enough energy to survive the entire trip.  The sacrifice and the love given to Trang from her mother were strong enough to give her a chance of hope and faith.

At the age of six, she began a new life and was forced to integrate into a different cultural understanding as well as the language barrier.  After a year, Trang’s father passed away from cancer and so her mom was left alone to raise her and her three other siblings.  Three years later, Trang began kung fu lessons through the practice of Kung Fu Shaolin and was able to receive a black belt at the age of 13.  Through her friends, she was introduced to a talented agent who represented her through the entertainment industry.  She then later attended the University of California, Irvine to study civil engineering when an acting opportunity was introduced at her front door.  Her agent encouraged her to audition for Power Rangers and so she did.  Through her audition, they rated her based on her performance and saw her as a potential candidate.  After few more auditions, she was able to get the part as Trini Kwan, the yellow ranger, in the year 1993. 

During her acting period, she was an attention grabber to all young fans and has always been seen as a person full of life and fearless at what she does.  She had a spiritual heart that was filled with warmth and care.  Her active charity work illuminates the wonderful work she brings to society and communities because people only see her as an equal to them and not as a foreigner.  With that said, she believes that there are opportunities for Asian actresses and that the growth of Asian population is growing in the acting industry. Her dream was to continue as a professional actress after graduating from UCI, but her dream was short lived.  Although she was never able to live long enough to see today, she definitely made much impact towards Asian Americans and Americans through the smiles she creates, the character she builds with others and within self, the helping hand she lends, and the struggle she have endured as an Asian American.