Guisados, David Cui Cui, and the Reality of “Making It”
There’s something about Guisados in downtown Burbank that just feels… correct. After living in the PNW for a few years, getting back to Mexican food in California is a welcomed experience.
This time, food was shared with David Cui Cui while catching up. Cui Cui is an actor with some great projects under his belt, and he is also a data nerd (which I love). But most of all, he is excitingly passionate about all endeavors in his life. You can feel the energy in everything he does. Most voice actors who are a part of NAVA scream from the rooftops about the organization, but it’s Cui Cui who really gets me thinking that I need to join simply because of the energy he brings to every conversation in regard to that organization.
The conversation veered into the topic of “making it” as a voice actor (or any type of creative, really) — especially in a city like LA. We spent a lot of time talking about our respective financial & life positions — and the reality of being a voice actor as it relates to ourselves and our peers.
We also agree that it’s easy to get caught up in the highlight reels people post about their lives, but behind the scenes, so many are either hustling all the time, struggling to some degree, or some combination of both. The truth is, very few people can survive solely on what they earn in voiceover work. There’s always something else — another job or side hustle — keeping everything afloat.
Honestly, I hate that. I hate that in today’s world, it feels like you have to have multiple things going on just to survive. I’m an actor, sure, but there are so many other things I have to do to make ends meet. It’s exhausting. But having friends like David helps keep me grounded. It’s nice to have a friend like him, it’s nice to have someone to trust with these vulnerabilities, and it’s nice to have someone around who doesn’t sugarcoat the less glamorous sides of this industry. And sometimes, those honest conversations are exactly what you need to get out of your head.
Walking Down the Street to Budonoki
Speaking of getting out of your head, my partner and I took a stroll down the street the other day to Budonoki, a sushi spot in the neighborhood that feels like stepping into another world once you walk through their doors.
Our neighborhood is really cool. I love the character of the area and the history you know is baked into the streets. But gentrification is creeping in, and places like Budonoki make it clear that this is where the neighborhood is trying to go: chic, loud music, crowded restaurants.
I’m conflicted about it. There’s a charm to the old neighborhood, but I know that change is inevitable. So for now, I’m just trying to appreciate both sides of it. The food at Budonoki was fantastic by the way — definitely snagged some pictures this time to prove it.
