This A-Profiler we bring you Raymond J. Lee a multi-talented artist who came to national attention on the NBC talent show Fame. Lee has since gone on to Broadway as a cast member of the musical Mamma Mia! and performing as Simba on Disney Cruise Lines all the while overcoming his shyness. He would love to be cast as Sandra Oh's brother on Grey's Anatomy if ever a role was created. Find out more about this film-lover and get his advice for would-be entertainers.

Your site URL:
http://www.myspace.com/raymondjlee

What is your ethnic background?
I am a proud Korean American! Both my parents came to this country in the 70's from South Korea.

Many people first saw you on the talent contest Fame which was more than just a simple singing contest. What did you do prior to Fame and how did you get involved with Fame?
Well during the time of Fame I was a junior at Northwestern University studying radio/television/film, but I had originally started off my college education as a pre-med chemistry major. My parents had always expected me to go to medical school and become a doctor but once I got to college, I realized that my passions were in the entertainment industry and performing arts. I did a couple musicals before in high school and college but Fame was the first major performance opportunity I had on a national level. It was such an amazing experience and allowed me to realize more about myself as a person and a performer.

I had first heard about Fame when my friend sent me a link to a website announcing auditions for the show, so I took a day off from classes, went to downtown Chicago, and basically made it through a series of cuts and callbacks that entire day. Talk about adrenaline, I was so excited about making it each time to the next level that the day went by so fast! Then they announced the semi-finalists from Chicago and told us that we would hear from them within the next couple weeks to see if we would be a national semi-finalist. I got the call during the opening of my dance troupe's spring show from the producers of Fame telling me they would be flying me out as a contestant for the show and the rest is history!

Do you still keep in touch with some of your fellow contestants from Fame? What have you done since?
We actually do keep in touch and quite constantly! I talk to my "Fame-ily" as often as I can and I see some more than others. Allyson Arena who was also a finalist on the show is actually in Mamma Mia! with me and that was been absolutely amazing because she's basically my sister. She called me a couple months ago when she found out she had been cast and we freaked out on the phone together. I also keep in touch with others from the show via email and phone and we make it a point to see each other whenever someone is in town. It's exciting because so many people from the show have gone on to do amazing things. Shannon Bex is now a member of Danity Kane (Making the Band), Brandon O'Neal is in the cast of Broadway's The Lion King, Ryan Chotto is in the cast of Broadway's Hairspray, Lauren Hildebrandt is a recording star and in the international tour of Grease, Serena is still working out that amazing vocal ability in Vegas, Jamisen got married and is the proud mother of an adorable son, Mackenzie was in the tour of Mamma Mia! and a contestant on NBC's You're the One that I Want, Todd Evans travels internationally teaching dance, Michelle Livigne is finishing school at Fordham, Judy Ho works as a model/actor/therapist in California, and everybody else is busy pursuing their careers.

I have had such a blessed road since Fame. After being eliminated from Fame, I got an internship with the PR department at NBC, finished school, and moved to New York City. I was cast as Simba on Disney Cruise Lines, celebrated my NY Debut with Shakespeare in the Park's Two Gentlemen of Verona, and made my Broadway debut with Mamma Mia! It's been such an amazing and exciting road and I'm excited to see what else lies ahead in the future.

You are now part of the cast of Mamma Mia! on Broadway in New York. How has that been and how did you land the role of Eddie?
Being a cast member of Mamma Mia! on Broadway has been one of the biggest blessings ever. The cast is phenomenal and we have such an amazing time backstage. It's great to be able to come to work and have it feel more like summer camp than a job. In addition, Mamma Mia! boasts one of the most diverse casts on Broadway and I'm proud to be in such a diverse and talented cast.

I landed the role of Eddie through a series of auditions as well. They had originally seen me for the show when I first moved to New York in 2004 but I guess timing worked best for me two years later. My agents, Nicolosi & Co, have always worked so diligently to get me seen for all sorts of parts and not just Asian specific roles, and the fact that they were able to get me into the round of auditions that allowed me to book the role of Eddie just shows how awesome they are.

It's great playing the role of Eddie because I get to be myself. Granted, I was absolutely nervous at the idea of dancing in speedos on a Broadway stage but now it's second nature! We have a great time at the show and it's so awesome to be in a show where the audience stands up and parties with us at the end.

Where do you see yourself after the run on Mamma Mia! has ended?
I would love to be an original cast member of a Broadway show. I think it'd be a blast to witness the entire creative process of developing a new show for Broadway: the readings, the out of town tryouts, previews, Opening Night, etc. I would also love to work in television and film, especially in a sitcom. I joke with my friends because if they ever created a role for Sandra Oh's brother on Grey's Anatomy I would jump at that chance in an instant! The great thing about Mamma Mia! is that it'll be here in New York for a very long time so it definitely gives me the time to think about what my next career step should be.

What have your parents thought about your pursuits? Have they been supportive?
My parents weren't too thrilled when I got the show because they wanted me to go to law school but they've grown to be supportive throughout the months. Now, they can't wait to tell their friends that I'm doing what I do in New York. I have to give them credit through. They've become very open-minded these past few years because they've had to get used to their stubborn son wanting to follow his dreams. My parents are my absolute role models. They've always supported my brother and me, and made sure we were happy. They sacrificed a lot to come to this country and to give us the type of life we've grown up with and I will always thank them for that. To move to another country without knowing the language can be terrifying and I don't know how they did it! It speaks to all of our parents' diligence and courage to give us second generation Americans the better life they dreamed. It's only because of them that I am passionage, comfortable, and stable enough to follow my dreams.

You are a self-proclaimed shy person. How have you overcome some of your shyness?
I've DEFINITELY overcome my shyness (ask anybody in Mamma Mia!). It's great because I've become more comfortable with who I am these past few years since college and Fame. Being an actor really required me to gain my confidence and learn how to introduce myself to people!

What do you enjoy doing when you have spare moments?
In my spare moments I love to catch up with friends and family that I haven't seen in ages. I think it's so important to remain connected with people you care about. I'm also a sucker for films and will constantly be at the AMC in times square checking out the latest flick or at home with my recent blockbuster DVD. I'm also a board member of the Northwestern University Entertainment Alliance and that takes up a good amount of my free time, as well as designing friend's postcards and flyers for shows. If there were more hours in the day, I would love to start writing the many pilots that are stored up in my brain and get those developed.

What advice do you have for others aspiring entertainers?
Wow there is so much I've learned in just my two years here in New York. Here's a list:

- Don't give up! The thing about this business and being a performer is that there are so many roadblocks that make you want to give up and try something new. However, remain diligent and put that positive energy out there that things are going to happen. If you believe it's going to happen, it will.

- Learn from other entertainers, actors, performers, etc. We are each other's best resource. Feel free to ask others where to do stuff or how they got to where they are. There's a camaraderie with performers that I think is so incredible. Ask each other questions and rely on each other for support.

- Know who you are, both as a person and as an entertainer. At auditions, make sure you show off yourself and what YOU can do. Don't try to emulate someone else because casting directions want to see what YOU'RE about and what you can bring to the table.

- Have FUN at auditions! Sing what you want to sing (within the parameters of what they're looking for). Dance how you feel like dancing. Don't be afraid to try something new.

- Develop a thick skin. We all go through the rejections and you just have to keep chugging along. There were several moments where I thought I would stop the acting career and pursue something more stable but then I realized that this was where my passion lies. If you need a boost, please talk to your friends! I know my roommate has kept me sane so many of the times when I didn't get a job or had a bad audition.

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This issue of A-Profiler is brought to you by Nelson Wong.
Special thanks to Raymond J. Lee.

Photos used with permission.
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