Star Trek: Strange New Worlds’ Christina Chong is hoping her portrayal of La’an Noonien Singh helps others heal.
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds is a show that has really connected with fans. There are so many aspects of the series that can connect with anyone and everyone regardless of age, race, or region from where they’re from. One of those characters that may be able to reach more characters than people originally thought was La’an Noonien Singh; portrayed by Christina Chong.
Chong, who wasn’t going to accept the role originally, found a way to infuse her own pain and trauma into the character. Chong, who was bullied for being Chinese, came to relate with Singh, who in the show has to live down the shame of being the descendent of the evil warlord and conquerer, Khan Noonien Singh.
Chong spoke to LA Confidential about how she hopes the role and her own trauma can help others who are struggling to be inspired to overcome their own trauma;
"La’an’s journey throughout this season is the overcoming of her childhood trauma. I think we all have some form of that, and it’s all relative and unique to each individual. My hope is that by infusing my own personal trauma into La’an, and making her a survivor as opposed to a victim, it might inspire people who have walked a similar path, making them feel seen and understood."
La’an Noonien Singh’s backstory makes her the best new character on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds
Star Trek: Strange New Worlds introduced a few new characters and a lot of already established characters, but maybe the best new character is La’an Noonien Singh. She has a no-nonsense attitude and it comes across as both confident and unsure. You feel she’s not always confident about her choices but she powers through regardless out of necessity.
Her backstory with the Gorn and the violence she witnessed has not only defined her arc through season one but the entire show, as the series is embracing the idea of the Gorn as the season’s big bad.
Her personal history heightens the stakes in a raw and authentic way, giving fans a direct link and reason to fear the Gorn. It’s just another way Strange New Worlds is paving its way forward as the best show in modern Trek.