Steve Lee is a disabled stand-up comedian, motivational speaker, actor, producer and writer working in Hong Kong, Asia and the US. Born and raised in Hong Kong Steve tells his story of being born in a refugee camp and growing up in Hong Kong and attending the John F Kennedy Centre School for disabled students.
Steve’s mum found an exchange student program in America and Steve relates how it felt to go to the US and how he developed his sense of self with the support of his host parents and teachers. He graduated with a degree in animation with a focus on gaming.
Unfortunately, he did not have a green card and he returned to Hong Kong. Steve relates his return to Hong Kong and how he became depressed. He started working as a photographer and Steve relates his experiences in the podcast.
A letter from the US embassy for a green card interview was a turning point and Steve returned to the US where he discovered comedy, he found his new purpose in life. Steve describes in detail the steps from starting out in comedy through to being a full time comedian where he has won numerous awards and much more.
03:26 I was born and raised in HK in late 70’s and early 80’s… I was born with a disability… anaplasia... my condition is permanent
8:00 I went to a school with kids with disability in Hong Kong… John F Kennedy Centre…
9:16 My mum found a pamphlet about an exchange student program in America
14:48 [Growing up] I felt like a second class citizen… I was a rebellious teenager…
19:25 [My parents] Did their best to raise me…
19:49[Going to the US] It’s a long journey… a sense of individuality… my host parents were amazing..
24:05 I have a new identity now… I need to learn who I am…I always love art…
30:39 I always fight with this demon … “OK just Chill, just relax””…I finally graduated… an animation degree, with gaming…
33:06 I could not stay in the US, I did not have a green card… I had to come back to Hong Kong … I was depressed… no work, super depressed for a year or two...
36:50 I slowly found my arts connection… photography… an apprentice…
39:59 We realised it was scammy…
42:20 I plunge into a deeper depression… the worst period of my life… I was depressed for two or three months…
44:20 I got a letter from the US embassy… “I got a green card interview”… I’m going…
47:02 There are comedy classes?... I went… people were laughing… I found my new purpose…Is this a viable career…
52:12 [Comedy] You cannot forget the high… you wait around in comedy venues… you have to test your material…
59:43 I joke about my disability …cultural stuff, immigrants…
10:02:57 In show biz, in your mid twenties you’re old…
1:05:36 My therapist explained "it’s not so bad to lose you job"… I build up confidence…
1:08:10 I was the runner-up of the “English International Comedy Competition”… Google Takeout Comedy … Chinese Newcomer Standup Comedy Competition I won that one…
1:10:00 Insecurity you grow up with is fine … You got to talk this stuff out…
1:12:20 Tragedy plus Time equals Comedy… it’s how you see it…
1:16:52 I’m starting a podcast myself…
1:19:40 Themes : “Things that we have” … having stuff what does it mean?…
1:22:30 Checkout my podcast which will be out soon .....
Contact Steve
http://www.steveleecomedy.com
email: steveleecomedy@gmail.com
IG:@steveleecomedy
FB:https://www.facebook.com/slcomedy/
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