Bella Chiang , a 17-year-old actress and voice actress from São Paulo, makes her dubbing debut in the film “The Girl and the Dragon”, which hits theaters on the 19th. Known for her performance as Song Park in “Poliana Moça” on SBT, Bella lends her voice to the protagonist Ping in the new animation. The talented young actress, who began her career as a model and has worked in theater and TV, is also dedicating herself to studying for a possible degree abroad, while continuing to stand out in various artistic projects. .
What was the experience of dubbing the protagonist in the film “The Girl and the Dragon” like? What fascinated you most about the process?
It was an amazing experience! What I love most about dubbing is the fact that I’m in a studio talking to myself in the scenes, most of the time. Unlike in cinematography, the voice actors have different levels and almost never meet! When we watch the film, everything is so homogeneous that it’s beautiful to see. I think it’s incredible how a single voice can be the instrument for so many characters!
You mentioned that you were super happy with the invitation from Imagem Filmes. How did you react when you received the email and realized that you would be dubbing such a special film?
I remember I was in the kitchen making popcorn when my mother came in from the office yelling with her cell phone in her hand. In my head, something bad had happened. But then she handed me the cell phone so I could read the email, and that’s when I started screaming with happiness, it was a shock! I never imagined that an invitation like that would arrive, and it was very gratifying. It’s definitely in my top 3 of best reactions!
With such a diverse career, ranging from fashion editorials to acting in soap operas and dubbing, which of these areas gives you the most satisfaction and why?
The world of acting has my heart. Both for the feeling of being in front of the camera and for the impact I can make behind the scenes. I love all of my versions of these different “worlds,” because in some ways they intersect. But my true passion is acting, and having the freedom to be someone else with a new story for a few hours is wonderful.
How did you prepare to play the villain Song Park in “Polyanna Girl”? Were there any specific challenges in relation to the role?
Yes, there were definitely challenges. My character was an antagonist, but not a caricatured villain. She was more real, someone we might encounter in our daily lives, a sneaky person. My biggest challenge with Song was incorporating not only her strong and competitive personality, with a bipolar character, but also expressing these characteristics through her body. In addition, I wanted to make her as real as possible, without being caricatured. I had some preparation with someone who has been with me for a long time, and together we shaped Song. We created what we called “impulses”, a focus exercise to get into character in the way the scene required.
In film, you’ve voiced characters in “The Monkey King” and “Inside Out 2.” How have these voice acting experiences contributed to your growth as an artist?
I have definitely grown and learned a lot with each new job. Each character brings me a new perspective and personality, and with each project, I am able to specialize in certain techniques that I can apply to future projects. This includes everything from reminders to valuable tips that I receive from the directors I work with.
You take singing, tap dancing, muay thai lessons Thai and even tennis. How do you balance these activities with your artistic career and your studies?
I always have a list of priorities. Some days, work and career come first, but most of the time I’m focused on my studies. When I started working, I had a conversation with my parents where they told me that my biggest obligation was to study. Since then, I’ve kept this principle in my heart, because education is very important in all aspects. Singing, dancing and sports classes work more to improve my techniques, in case a project comes up that requires these skills, but also as a way to relax and have fun. I always organize myself to hand in all my schoolwork first, so that I have the freedom to choose what to do later.
You have plans to study abroad and are preparing for the application process . What motivates you to seek this international experience?
I have always been passionate about cinema, and since I intend to pursue a career as an actress and director, I want to study abroad in search of new opportunities and learning. One of my biggest dreams is to see myself on the big screen in an international film! I support national cinema, but I believe that in countries like the United States, support for this area is much greater, which creates more opportunities.
In addition to acting and voice acting, you also create content on Instagram. What is your relationship with social media and how does it impact your career?
I love creating content because it’s a way to stay active on social media, whether I’m on TV or not. I started recording videos during the 2020 pandemic, and that’s when I discovered my passion for the world of makeup, which I still love today. My relationship with the public is amazing. I love being close to them and showing my personal life, so that everyone can see that we are the same in many ways!
Follow Bella Chiang on Instagram