Michelle Ang

{{Short description|New Zealand actress, director and producer (born 1983)}} {{Use New Zealand English|date=September 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2020}} {{Infobox person | name = Michelle Ang | image = Michelle Ang.jpg | imagesize = | caption = Michelle Ang at Galaxy Con St Louis, 2025 | birth_name = | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1983|10|17}} | birth_place = Christchurch, New Zealand | alma_mater = Victoria University of Wellington | death_date = | death_place = | othername = | occupation = {{hlist|Actor|producer|director}} | years_active = 1997–present | partner = | children = 1 | homepage = }}

'''Michelle Ang''' (born 17 October 1983) is an actress, director and producer from New Zealand. Working mainly in film and television, she has won various professional accolades, including ''Best Actress'' at the New Zealand Film & Television Awards and ''Best Director'' at Show Me Shorts. Ang's acting work has also been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award in the US and a Logie in Australia.

On television, her notable roles include Omega in Lucasfilm's ''Star Wars: The Bad Batch'', Lori Lee in Australian soap opera ''Neighbours'', and Alex in ''Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462''.

On film, Ang has had leading and supporting roles in a range of dramas and comedies. As a supporting cast member in Hollywood movies, she has performed alongside actors such as Woody Harrelson, Kate Winslet, Martin Lawrence, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Gal Gadot, Mark Wahlberg and Aaron Paul. She has also worked for directors such as Steven Soderbergh, Jodie Foster, Shane Black and Jane Campion.

In recent years, Ang's work has widened into directing and producing. She is a member of the Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand (DEGANZ).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.deganz.co.nz/members/|title=Members • Directors and Editors Guild of Aotearoa New Zealand}}</ref> She nurtures young talent in her industry, as a guest mentor for the charitable filmmaking project ''Day One'', based in Auckland. Ang also runs her own media production company called ''A Grain Of Rice''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.agrainofricefilms.com/|title=A GRAIN OF RICE|website=www.agrainofricefilms.com}}</ref>

==Early life and education== Ang was born in Christchurch and is of Malaysian Chinese descent.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/beauty/beauty-news/9369800/In-my-beauty-bag-Michelle-Ang|title=In my beauty bag: Michelle Ang|last=Roulston|first=Julie|date=6 November 2013|publisher=Stuff|access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref><ref name=starwars/> She grew up in Wellington with her parents and younger sister.<ref>{{cite magazine|date=16–29 August 2003|title=Q&A Michelle Ang|magazine=Inside Soap|issue=238|page=29}}</ref>

As a child, she was a dancer and performed with the Royal New Zealand Ballet in productions of ''The Nutcracker'', ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' and ''Romeo and Juliet''.<ref>[http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/parenting/mums-life/tv-movies/9316606/A-Greys-day-on-set-for-Michelle "A Grey's day on set for Michelle"], James Croot</ref>

As a university student, she completed studies at Victoria University of Wellington for a double degree: a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration (B.C.A.) in Accounting with Commercial Law and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry.<ref name=stuff/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ecentral.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/26/movies/6028848&sec=movies|title=Close to her heart|first=Charles|last=Chan|work=The Star|date=26 April 2010}}</ref>

==Career==

===Television=== Ang got her start in television at a young age through the family series ''Young Entertainers''. Here, she got to show her skills at singing and dancing, much like ''The Mickey Mouse Club'' show on US television. She played Tai-San in the New Zealand post-apocalyptic drama ''The Tribe'' as part of the core cast from 1999 to 2001, and featured in the final episodes of the 2002 series. Ang also guest starred in the final 2 episodes of ''Xena: Warrior Princess'' as Akemi.

Ang played Lori Lee in the Australian television soap opera ''Neighbours'', in which she was a major character from 2002 to 2003. Ang left ''Neighbours'' to finish her university studies but returned briefly in 2004. She appeared in 80 episodes in total. Ang was nominated for a Logie Award for Most Popular New Female Talent for this role.<ref name=smh/>

She played the role of Tracy Hong in the first two seasons of the New Zealand TV series ''Outrageous Fortune'' in 2005 and 2006.

In 2007, Ang appeared in the American television drama ''South of Nowhere''.

In 2012, Ang starred in the MTV series ''Underemployed'' as an aspiring writer who has to settle for working at a donut shop.<ref>{{cite news | url = http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/article@apa?michelle_ang_stars_in_mtvs_underemployed_18401.aspx | archive-url = https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20121126034228/http://asiapacificarts.usc.edu/(A(QHow3hkCzgEkAAAAM2U4MTUyYjYtNzYyZS00NDE4LTljM2EtZWU2YzdlZWRkNjEzI4rFfgM2UJXuDiYJt0tRJ9e9IJY1))/w_apa/showarticle.aspx?articleID=18401 | url-status = dead | archive-date = 2012-11-26 | title = Michelle Ang stars in MTV's Underemployed | date = 2012-10-18 | publisher = Asia Pacific Arts }}</ref>

In 2015, Ang starred in the web series ''Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462'' as Alex, a passenger caught on a flight at the beginning of the zombie apocalypse, and went on to appear in the main series ''Fear the Walking Dead''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Fear the Walking Dead: Will the Flight 462 survivors return?|url=http://tv.bt.com/tv/tv-from-bt/fear-the-walking-dead-will-the-flight-462-survivors-return-11364056179395|website=tv.bt.com|accessdate=15 September 2016}}</ref> Ang received an Emmy nomination for her work on ''Flight 462''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Michelle Ang just scored an Emmy nomination for Fear The Walking Dead|url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=11675114|website=The New Zealand Herald| date=14 July 2016 |accessdate=15 September 2016}}</ref>

In 2020, she had a recurring role in ''The New Legends of Monkey''. She also guest starred in the rebooted series of ''The Twilight Zone'' screened on CBS All Access.

In 2021 to 2024, Ang voiced a lead role in the Disney+ original animated series ''Star Wars: The Bad Batch'' as Omega, a mysterious female clone of Jango Fett. She was invited to keep her native New Zealand accent for the role in homage to fellow New Zealander Temuera Morrison, who portrayed Jango Fett in the franchise.<ref name=starwars>{{cite web|title=MEET OMEGA: MICHELLE ANG ON BECOMING THE HEART OF STAR WARS: THE BAD BATCH|url=https://www.starwars.com/news/star-wars-the-bad-batch-omega-michelle-ang-interview|website=StarWars.com|accessdate=30 May 2022}}</ref>

In 2023, Ang starred as Melissa Wu in the comedy series ''Homebound 3.0''.<ref name="v">{{Cite news |last=Simich |first=Ricardo |date=11 June 2023 |title=Michelle Ang half of new TV odd couple |language=en-NZ |url=https://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/spy-michelle-ang-enjoys-the-laughs-in-threes-homebound-30/CTXYMPSDXVEYFM336YNS46NURU/ |access-date=1 July 2023}}</ref> It was initially screened in New Zealand on the Warner Bros. Discovery channel Three, which commissioned it. It has also been made available internationally via the BBC. In 2024, the series was renewed for a second season, which was broadcast in 2025.

Also in 2025, Ang started work as a Series Producer for ''Be With Zee'', an animated pre-school series to be broadcast in 2026. The series is a co-production between companies and broadcasters in New Zealand and Canada.<ref>https://www.awn.com/news/be-zee-preschool-series-gets-greenlight</ref>

===Film=== Ang made her feature film debut in 2004's ''Futile Attraction''. Ang had also appeared in a series of low-budget New Zealand short films including ''Forbidden Fury'' and ''Take 3''. In 2006 she appeared in ''No.2'', directed by Toa Fraser.

In 2011 Ang portrayed a nerdy Chinese New Zealander in the romantic comedy ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'', her first lead role in a feature. It won her the ''Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film Award'' at the 2011 New Zealand Aotearoa Film & Television Awards.<ref name=stuff>{{cite news|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/arts-life/4777820/Reel-character|title=The secret is out|last=Cardy|first=Tom|date=17 March 2011|work=Stuff.co.nz|access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref>

Her other film credits include ''Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son'' and ''Triple 9''.

Prior to her role in ''The Bad Batch'', Ang had auditioned for ''Star Wars: The Last Jedi''.<ref name=starwars/> As a child, she had also auditioned for the Cho Chang role in ''Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Harry Potter gets first girlfriend|url=https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2004-05/12/content_330082.htm|website=China Daily|accessdate=30 May 2022}}</ref>

==Personal life== Ang has a son.<ref>{{cite instagram|postid=BxWFhy4lpgQ|title=Mums make the world go round. Thanks to mine, to yours, to those about to become one, those who've left us, those who aspire to be. I'm blessed to be one. X|user=themichelleang|date=2019-05-12|access-date=2024-04-22}}</ref>

Ang has named ''The Power of Now'' by Eckhart Tolle as a book that influenced her.<ref name="NZ_Herald_10715451">{{cite news |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainment/news/article.cfm?c_id=1501119&objectid=10715451 |title=Book lover: Michelle Ang |date=28 March 2011 |work=The New Zealand Herald |accessdate=25 October 2011}}</ref>

==Filmography== ===Film (as actor)=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2004 | ''Forbidden Fury'' | Terry Spears | Short film |- | ''Futile Attraction'' | Violet McKenzie | |- ! scope="row" | 2006 | ''Naming Number Two '' | Grace | |- ! scope="row" | 2008 | ''Take 3'' | Melanie Shum | Short film |- ! scope="row" |2010 | ''The Beaver'' | Japanese translator | |- ! scope="row" rowspan="3"|2011 | ''Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son'' | Mia | Feature film |- | ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' | Emily | |- | data-sort-value="Potential Wives of Norman Mao, The" | ''The Potential Wives of Norman Mao'' | Suzy Fong | Short film |- ! scope="row" | 2013 | ''Echoes'' | Singer | Short film |- ! scope="row" | 2014 | data-sort-value="Taking of Deborah Logan, The" | ''The Taking of Deborah Logan'' | Mia Medina | |- ! scope="row" | 2015 | ''Fallen Stars'' | Daisy<ref>{{cite web|title=Ray Donovan's' Ryan O'Nan, 'Top of the Lake's' Michelle Ang to Lead Indie Movie 'Fallen Stars'|url=http://www.thewrap.com/ray-donovans-ryan-onan-top-of-the-lakes-michelle-ang-to-lead-indie-movie-fallen-stars/|website=www.thewrap.com|date=25 September 2014|accessdate=15 September 2016}}</ref> | |- ! scope="row" | 2016 | ''Triple 9'' | Detective Trina Ling |Feature film |- ! scope="row" | 2017 | ''Simularity'' | Daisy | Short film |- ! scope="row" | 2018 | ''For Izzy'' | Dede | Feature film |- ! scope="row" | 2019 | ''High Flying Bird'' | Rachel | Feature film |- ! scope="row" | 2019 | ''I Want To Marry A Creative Jewish Girl'' | Rosy | Short film |- ! scope="row" | 2023 | ''The Paragon'' | Beth | Feature film |- ! scope="row" | 2024 | ''Nai/Milk'' | Kim | Short film |- ! scope="row" | 2025 | ''POP!'' | | Short film |- ! scope="row" | 2025 | ''Insula'' | | Feature, in production |- ! scope="row" | 2025 |''Play Dirty'' | Bett | Feature film |- |}

===Television (as actor)=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- ! scope="row" | 1997–1998 | ''Young Entertainers'' | Super Trooper | Regular cast |- ! scope="row" | 1999 | data-sort-value="Twist in the Tale, A" | ''William Shatner's A Twist in the Tale'' | Meesha | Season 1, Episode 14 |- ! scope="row" | 1999–2002 | data-sort-value="Tribe, The" | ''The Tribe'' | Tai-San | Main role (seasons 1–3), 143 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 2001 | ''Xena: Warrior Princess'' | Akemi | 2 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 2002 | ''Being Eve'' | Masako | Season 2, Episode 7 |- ! scope="row" | 2002–2004 | ''Neighbours'' | Lori Lee | 88 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 2005 |''The Market'' |Victoria Chen |Recurring role |- ! scope="row" | 2005–2006 | ''Outrageous Fortune'' | Tracy Hong | 16 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 2007–2008 | ''South of Nowhere'' | Lily Zee | 4 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 2012–2013 | ''Underemployed'' | Sophia Swanson | 12 episodes |- ! scope="row" rowspan="4" | 2013 | ''Top of the Lake'' | Kimmie | 2 episodes; Mini-series |- | ''Grey's Anatomy'' | Cherise | Season 9, Episode 22 |- | ''Drop Dead Diva'' | Lanfen | Season 5, Episode 7 |- | ''Perception'' | Former National Guardwoman | Season 2, Episode 10 |- ! scope="row" | 2014 | ''Rizzoli & Isles'' | Lucy Chen | Season 5, Episode 11 |- ! scope="row" | 2015 | ''NCIS: Los Angeles'' | Taman Budiano | Season 6, Episode 19 "Blazing Glory" |- ! scope="row" | 2015–2016 | ''Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462'' | Alex | Main role, web series, 16 episodes |- ! scope="row" | 2016 | ''Fear the Walking Dead'' | Alex | Season 2, 2 episodes<ref>{{cite web|title=Fear The Walking Dead adds Michelle Ang to season 2|url=http://undeadwalking.com/2016/03/29/fear-the-walking-dead-adds-michelle-ang-to-season-2/|website=undeadwalking.com|date=29 March 2016|accessdate=15 September 2016}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 2017 | ''Best Thing You'll Ever Do'' | Sena |- ! scope="row" rowspan="2" | 2020 | data-sort-value="New Legends of Monkey, The" | ''The New Legends of Monkey'' | General Khan | Season 2, 7 Episodes |- | data-sort-value="Twilight Zone, The" | ''The Twilight Zone'' | Ling | Season 2, Episode 6 |- ! scope="row" rowspan="3" | 2021 | data-sort-value="Vegas" | ''Vegas'' | Miranda Lau | 6 episodes |- | data-sort-value="My Life is Murder" | ''My Life is Murder'' | Kathleen Boyce | Season 2, Episode 3 |- | ''Destination Love'' | Lisa | TV movie |- ! scope="row" | 2021–2023 | ''Good Grief'' | Michelle | Seasons 1 & 2 |- ! scope="row" | 2021–2024 | data-sort-value="Star Wars: Bad Batch, The" | ''Star Wars: The Bad Batch'' | Omega | Main role, Seasons 1-3, 47 episodes<ref>{{cite web|title=Star Wars: The Bad Batch crew talks season length, Omega and Imperial oppression|url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/star-wars-the-bad-batch-crew-talks-season-length-omega-and-jedi-cameos|website=www.cnet.com|accessdate=3 May 2021}}</ref> |- ! scope="row" | 2023–2025 | ''Homebound 3.0'' | Melissa Wu | Lead role, Seasons 1 & 2, 16 episodes |- |}

===Video Games=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" ! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Role ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Notes |- ! scope="row" | 2023 | ''Starfield'' | Sati Chandra | Voice |- |}

==Awards and nominations== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year ! Award ! Category ! Work ! Result |- | 2003 | Logie Award | Most Popular New Female Talent<ref name=smh>{{cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/05/05/1051987638589.html|title=Don't bet on it|date=5 May 2003|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|publisher=Fairfax Media|access-date=30 May 2022}}</ref> | ''Neighbours'' | {{nominated}} |- | 2011 | New Zealand Film & Television Award | Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film | ''My Wedding and Other Secrets'' | {{won}} |- | 2016 | Emmy Award | Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series<ref>{{cite web|title=68th Emmy Awards Nominees and Winners|url=http://www.emmys.com/awards/nominees-winners/2016/outstanding-actress-in-a-short-form-comedy-or-drama-series|website=www.emmys.com|accessdate=15 September 2016}}</ref> | ''Fear the Walking Dead: Flight 462'' | {{nominated}} |- | 2024 | Show Me Shorts Film Festival | Best Actor | ''Nai/Milk'' | {{nominated}} |- | 2024 | Show Me Shorts Film Festival | Best Director | ''Nai/Milk'' | {{nominated}} |- | 2025 | Barbados International Film Festival | Best Actor | ''POP!'' | {{won}} |}

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

==External links== *{{Twitter}} *{{IMDb name|0029391|Michelle Ang}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ang, Michelle}} Category:1983 births Category:Living people Category:20th-century New Zealand actresses Category:21st-century New Zealand actresses Category:New Zealand expatriate actresses in the United States Category:New Zealand film actresses Category:New Zealand television actresses Category:Actors from Christchurch Category:New Zealand people of Chinese descent Category:New Zealand people of Malaysian descent Category:Victoria University of Wellington alumni