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In this day and age where millennials and the younger generation are told to check their privilege, it’s always refreshing to meet someone who knows that nothing in life comes easy. We’re describing Tisa Samphors: a bubbly girl you’d assume for just another pretty face born with a silver spoon in her mouth; you’d be mistaken with that assumption. An immigrant to the US of A, she had to make ends meet at an age when most of us were slacking off on our homework and playing video games. Read our quick interview with her to find out more about who she is and what she’s all about.
In one sentence, who is Tisa Samphors?
I would say… Tisa is a free spirited hopeless romantic with a wild heart; spontaneous, funny, respectful, considerate, and an honest individual who believes in karma and finds the positive in everything.
Haha, that was a mouthful. You have a very unique look. So what’s your ethnicity?
My dad is Chinese and Vietnamese. My mom is Cambodian and Thai. So can you imagine my cooking skills? Hahaha!
Now we know who to call when we can’t decide whether to have kuy teav or pho! So are you multilingual then? What languages do you speak? More importantly, can you translate “I wanna get laid” to those languages?
Hahaha!!! Oh my… well, I read and speak Cambodian fluently. I understand some Thai and Vietnamese. Of course I know English, which I am still learning. I think the best way to say “I wanna get laid” is by using your body language.
We’re guessing that staring and salivating at a girl we’re into doesn’t count as good body language. So where were you born and where are you currently based?
Born and raised in Cambodia, a country full of wonders. If you haven’t been, you need to go! I recently moved to Los Angeles from Seattle in the summer of 2015. Flocking here just like everyone else, trying to make moves in a crazy town called Hollywood.
It’s definitely nicknamed Hollyweird for a reason! So what was life like growing up? Were you the popular pretty girl in school or the shy ugly duckling?
It was tough! I had my first job when I was 14 years old. My life in America wasn’t what I imagined it would be. Having responsibilities at a very young age taught me how to be more streetsmart than booksmart. I would pay the nerds to do my book reports and create cheat sheets for my tests. Yes, I was one of the popular pretty girls, but I felt like I was more hated on. I always ended up having more guy friends than girl friends.
Oh wow, finally one of the bullies hahaha. We always seem to feature the late bloomer types. So which would better describe you, model or entertainer? And how did you get started?
Entertainer. When I was young, I had parts in commercials and in Cambodian soap operas. I love to play make-believe and still do. Modeling started for me when I had no pulls in the acting industry here in America, so I slowly started doing photo shoots. Nowadays it’s who you know, don’t you agree?
Definitely… and we’re glad we got to know you! Now we just have to Google your commercials and soap operas and check out your acting chops. Any memorable moments so far?
I did a beauty pageant last summer and made it to the top five. Knowing all the questions before hand, I was able to answer all of them perfectly except for one. When it was my turn to go up, guess which question I picked out? Yep, the one I couldn’t answer. I totally winged it and got third place. This was a forgettable moment that ended up being a memorable moment.
We were expecting something wilder but guess that’ll do. So what’s a normal day like for you? What do you do during your spare time?
A normal day for me would be waking up and procrastinating on doing things like the laundry and running errands. It’s not that I’m lazy; it’s just that I work late night shifts so I tend to be forgetful. I love hiking and going to the beach in my spare time. I also love sleeping and just relaxing. I also can’t go through my day without listening to music, I get soooooo lost in music!
Listening to music and lounging all day? Sounds like a great time to us! Any hidden talents that we don’t know about?
Sadly my gift of knowing how to play musical instruments never came, but thankfully I know how to sing pretty well to balance that out.
Well, you did manage to play us a beginner’s version of Alladin’s “A Whole New World,” so there’s still hope! Do you cook? If you had to impress a guy, what would you make?
I love to cook! It’s one of my hobbies actually. I love learning and creating. It’s science! Sometimes the best dishes I’d be making were from scratch. I don’t even know what I’m making but it always end up being so delicious and it’s not just me saying so.
If I had to impress a guy I would make him my famous fried chicken and baked prawns bread along with my spicy fried rice and fall-off the bone spareribs, and me for dessert.
Umm… we’ll skip right to dessert, but we’ll take that fried chicken and prawn bread to go please. Since we’re on that topic, what does a guy have to do to get you to notice him? Things you look for in a guy?
A nice smile, eye contact, someone who dresses well and smells good. It’s the first thing all girls notice. And vice versa. The things I look for in a guy are how well his manners are, his generosity, moral values, maturity, sense of humor, and last but not the least, his honesty.
Are you a dog or cat person?
I am more of a dog person but love both. I had a blue nose Pitbull named Cookie and a Pomeranian named Panda at the same time. Panda was the boss dog while Cookie was the chill and calm one.
Top, bottom, or behind?
All of the above. Plus more!
You didn’t let us finish our question but we’ll go with whatever you meant by that. Any stalkers? How do you deal with haters on social media?
Yeah, stalkers here and there, but none of them can outsmart me so I’m always a step ahead. Did I mention I’m really good at hacking and coding?
The best way to deal with haters is just to put on a thick skin. No one will know you more than yourself. There are stories and rumors about me that I didn’t even know. And how it came about or created, I still don’t know. People tend to hate on those who are better and are more successful than them. I always say if they’re talking about you, you’re doing something right. Just stay positive, smile and live your life how you want to live. Believe in karma. Trust in yourself. And my number one rule of thumb is to be honest, honesty will get you a long way.
Hacking and coding? Time to hide our credit card info. But wise words nonetheless. Where do you see yourself ten years from now?
Ten years from now, hopefully traveled the world twice by then. Settled and secured with a husband and three kids (maybe five), in a big house with some nice cars. And a closet of endless shoes, bags and clothes. Work smarter to live, not live to work harder.
With your way of thinking, we’re sure you’ll meet those goals. Sadly, this interview must come to an end. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being creepy perverts to 10 being most awesome beings on the planet, how would you rate your experience shooting with us?
Definitely 10!!! You guys made me feel comfortable and easy to work with. Super professional with such creative minds. Looking forward to working with you guys again.
Ditto. Any last words for your followers?
Honestly, I can’t thank my followers enough for the love and support. If only I could hug every one of you!! XOXO
Credits
Model: Tisa Samphors (@tisasamphors)
Location: Downtown LA loft, provided by Lytton Location Collective (@lyttonlocationcollective)
Wardrobe: Jojo Sepulveda (@jojosepulveda)
