“As a mixed-race actor, I have the chance to reimagine roles traditionally designed for or portrayed by white actors, breathing new life into them and adding my own layer of colour.” Havana Rose Liu says this with quiet pride, and it’s clear she means every word. The Chinese-American, queer actress made her debut as a leading lady in Hulu’s hit thriller No Exit, and now, she’s poised to steal the spotlight in the bold teen comedy Bottoms.

Her journey to stardom feels almost like a scene from a movie. Picture this: a young Havana, carefree yet slightly adrift, skipping through Washington Square Park in her favourite red dress. She had just transferred schools mid-year, her life in chaos, but her heart burning with an unexplainable courage. Out of nowhere, a stranger stopped her and asked if she’d audition for a role. She hesitated for a moment, then thought, Why not? That single decision changed everything.

“It sounds like something out of a novel,” she says now, laughing. “In the past, I would’ve said no. I didn’t have the confidence. But that day, I said yes, and it became a turning point in my life. It’s a constant reminder: never let fear make your choices for you.”

Courage has been her compass ever since, guiding her to roles that demand depth and bravery. In No Exit, Havana became Darby, a headstrong young woman determined to rescue a kidnapped girl. The character is bold and relentless, willing to risk everything despite her own struggles. To step into Darby’s shoes, Havana didn’t just memorise lines—she built a world around her. She wrote journal entries as Darby, invented a playlist for her, and even choreographed dances that expressed her character’s inner turmoil.

“I’ve always used art to understand myself and the world,” she explains. “So using creativity to discover my characters and their worlds felt completely natural to me.”

When asked what her own playlist and dances might look like, Havana lights up. “I ask myself that all the time!” she says with a grin. “To connect with my body, I just dance freely, letting my movements communicate whatever they need to. As for my playlist, it’s always changing—I fall in love with new songs every week. Right now, it’s Ralph Heidel’s ‘HULO,’ Nouvelle Vague’s ‘I Melt With You,’ Reginald Omas Mamode IV’s ‘In Search of Balance,’ and Major Lazer’s ‘Get Free.’ It’s amazing how the same song feels completely different depending on where I am—alone or with people, morning or night, indoors or outside. Music transforms with the moment.”