--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: What I like about being an actress is…" description: "\"What I like about being an actress is that it keeps you feminine. Being a director and producer makes you manly and very masculine and I don't like tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e01/bai-ling-15371_actress_what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-th_3132558.jpg" --- # What I like about being an actress is that it keeps you… ![“What I like about being an actress is that it keeps you feminine. Being a director and producer makes you manly and very masculine and I don't like that quality in a woman. But I'll do it when the film is very close to me.” quote by Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e01/bai-ling-15371_actress_what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-th_3132558.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e01/bai-ling-15371_actress_what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-th_3132558.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e01/bai-ling-15371_actress_what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-th_3132558.jpg) > “What I like about being an actress is that it keeps you feminine. Being a director and producer makes you manly and very masculine and I don't like that quality in a woman. But I'll do it when the film is very close to me.” [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. She expresses discomfort with gendered expectations in film roles, preferring projects close to her heart. **In simple terms:** She dislikes gender stereotypes in film work. Key Takeaway Choose roles that align with personal values. Themes gender film industry identity authenticity Mood reflective critical Type cultural inspirational When to use this quote - selecting scripts - directing - producing Key Concepts stereotypes creative control personal integrity Questions to Reflect On - How can the industry support diverse gender expressions? - What defines 'close to me' in creative work? A Different Perspective May reinforce gender binaries. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Actress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actress/) [Actresses](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actresses/) [Cinema](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cinema/) [Directors](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/directors/) [Feminine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminine/) [Feminine Director](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminine-director-5546600/) [Film](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/film/) [Keeps Feminine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/keeps-feminine-5546601/) [Like Actress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/like-actress-618608/) [Manly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/manly/) [Masculine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/masculine/) [Producers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/producers/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) ## Related quotes > [I've come from a very masculine country to a feminine country. England was very masculine; people went from England to abroad, and they landed…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/quentin-crisp/i-ve-come-from-a-very-masculine-country-to-a-feminine-country-england/) [Quentin Crisp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/quentin-crisp/) > [For me, I skate as masculine as I can. I'm not a big strong guy. I'm not interested in fighting or throwing punches or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johnny-weir/for-me-i-skate-as-masculine-as-i-can-i-m-not-a-big-strong-guy-i-m-not/) [Johnny Weir](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johnny-weir/) > [For the man who makes everything that leads to happiness, or near to it, to depend upon himself, and not upon other men, on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/plato/for-the-man-who-makes-everything-that-leads-to-happiness-or-near-to/) [Plato](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/plato/) > [“Of all men, Christians should work especially hard, giving more than an honest day's work for a day's wage.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-d-phillips/of-all-men-christians-should-work-especially-hard-giving-more-than-an/) [Richard D. Phillips](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-d-phillips/) > [It's not about living my life as a boy or a girl - but I'm also not trans - it's just that one day,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arca/it-s-not-about-living-my-life-as-a-boy-or-a-girl-but-i-m-also-not/) [Arca](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arca/) > [Male and female represent the two sides of the great radical dualism. But in fact they are perpetually passing into one another. Fluid hardens…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-fuller/male-and-female-represent-the-two-sides-of-the-great-radical-dualism/) [Margaret Fuller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-fuller/) > [How close the sexes sometimes come to one another. It is as much a matter of behaviour and the spere in which they move…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-aston/how-close-the-sexes-sometimes-come-to-one-another-it-is-as-much-a/) [Elizabeth Aston](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-aston/) > [I think when we start to understand what masculinity and femininity is, then men won't fear so much the feminine side coming out. And…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hamid-drake/i-think-when-we-start-to-understand-what-masculinity-and-femininity/) [Hamid Drake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hamid-drake/) > [I spent months searching for some secret code before I realized that common sense has nothing to do with it. Hysteria, psychosis, torture, depression:…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-sedaris/i-spent-months-searching-for-some-secret-code-before-i-realized-that/) [David Sedaris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-sedaris/) > [I really try to balance my feminine and masculine energy when I write.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kali-uchis/i-really-try-to-balance-my-feminine-and-masculine-energy-when-i-write/) [Kali Uchis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kali-uchis/) > [I think of masculine and feminine energy like two sides to a battery. There's a plus side and a minus side, and in order…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-mcmillan/i-think-of-masculine-and-feminine-energy-like-two-sides-to-a-battery/) [Tracy McMillan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-mcmillan/) > [“To be feminine is to allow yourself to be constantly FEELING into the sensual woman you were designed to be.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lebo-grand/to-be-feminine-is-to-allow-yourself-to-be-constantly-feeling-into-the/) [Lebo Grand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lebo-grand/) > [Composing a piece of music is very feminine. It is sensitive, emotional, contemplative. By comparison, doing housework is positively masculine.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-kolb/composing-a-piece-of-music-is-very-feminine-it-is-sensitive-emotional/) [Barbara Kolb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-kolb/) > [What makes a gay icon is someone who possesses both masculine and feminine qualities simultaneously.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rupaul/what-makes-a-gay-icon-is-someone-who-possesses-both-masculine-and/) [RuPaul](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rupaul/) > [When I was trying to come up with a stage name, I thought 'Lord' was super rad, but really masculine - ever since I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lorde/when-i-was-trying-to-come-up-with-a-stage-name-i-thought-lord-was/) [Lorde](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lorde/) ## More by Bai Ling > [I hate shopping. I don't go shopping. If I do, I run in and out.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/i-hate-shopping-i-don-t-go-shopping-if-i-do-i-run-in-and-out/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [I had heard about how people struggle and how hard it is to get into acting. But I did not care because it's something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/i-had-heard-about-how-people-struggle-and-how-hard-it-is-to-get-into/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [But somehow I feel like still it's a gift, and I wonder, how can I give this gift to others? Just work hard, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/but-somehow-i-feel-like-still-it-s-a-gift-and-i-wonder-how-can-i-give/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [I think I'm open to adventures and surprises. As a performer, I'm really just naturally talented. And those roles may not look as good…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/i-think-i-m-open-to-adventures-and-surprises-as-a-performer-i-m/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [Basically, I have a gift as an actress, and I want to present the sophisticated side of me as an actress and a person.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/basically-i-have-a-gift-as-an-actress-and-i-want-to-present-the/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [Because of the Chinese culture of obedience, you don't ask questions... You follow and obey.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/because-of-the-chinese-culture-of-obedience-you-don-t-ask-questions/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [I often feel like I have this spirit living inside of me, always dressing in like short mini skirts... but then I start to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/i-often-feel-like-i-have-this-spirit-living-inside-of-me-always/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [Sex is the best high. It's better than any drug. I want to die making love because it feels so good.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/sex-is-the-best-high-it-s-better-than-any-drug-i-want-to-die-making/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [I guess I feel like it's a gift to meet those talented artists like George Lucas and Oliver Stone, Spike Lee and Richard Kelly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/i-guess-i-feel-like-it-s-a-gift-to-meet-those-talented-artists-like/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [You have to accept the storms and the rainy days and the things in life that you sometimes don't want to face.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/you-have-to-accept-the-storms-and-the-rainy-days-and-the-things-in/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [I have a blog in Chinese, which you can follow, Chinese signs. But I don't even update at all, often I don't.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/i-have-a-blog-in-chinese-which-you-can-follow-chinese-signs-but-i-don/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [I'm very private in person. I'm very sensitive and shy with men individually. But when I'm talking, maybe there's this other channel or this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/i-m-very-private-in-person-i-m-very-sensitive-and-shy-with-men/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [You never know what's going to happen. That's why I like acting. It's precious to me to be able to live more than one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/you-never-know-what-s-going-to-happen-that-s-why-i-like-acting-it-s/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [I'm one of the best actresses. One day I will win an Oscar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/i-m-one-of-the-best-actresses-one-day-i-will-win-an-oscar/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) > [English is my second language, but in Hong Kong, they don't know that I'm from China. They think I'm from Hollywood because all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/english-is-my-second-language-but-in-hong-kong-they-don-t-know-that-i/) [Bai Ling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) [Explore all 43 Bai Ling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/) ## More Actress quotes > [Sigourney Weaver is a wonderful person. I was so lucky to have the opportunity to meet and work with such an amazing actress. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-henn/sigourney-weaver-is-a-wonderful-person-i-was-so-lucky-to-have-the/) [Carrie Henn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-henn/) > [People forget I'm an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joey-heatherton/people-forget-i-m-an-actress/) [Joey Heatherton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joey-heatherton/) > [I adore Kelly Bishop as a human being and as an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sean-gunn/i-adore-kelly-bishop-as-a-human-being-and-as-an-actress/) [Sean Gunn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sean-gunn/) > [I've been told before, and I tend to believe it, I'm not like most actresses out there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/moira-kelly/i-ve-been-told-before-and-i-tend-to-believe-it-i-m-not-like-most/) [Moira Kelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/moira-kelly/) > [Marilyn was a great actress, not a dumb blond bombshell. She was very smart, very astute and a good businesswoman.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lawrence-schiller/marilyn-was-a-great-actress-not-a-dumb-blond-bombshell-she-was-very/) [Lawrence Schiller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lawrence-schiller/) > [I'm an actress, not a pin-up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/francesca-annis/i-m-an-actress-not-a-pin-up/) [Francesca Annis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/francesca-annis/) > [My father was a GP; my mother was a teacher and amateur actress. My father was a bit of a storyteller, but the acting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ciaran-hinds/my-father-was-a-gp-my-mother-was-a-teacher-and-amateur-actress-my/) [Ciaran Hinds](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ciaran-hinds/) > [I never wished that I was a superstar. Hell, I never even wished that I was an actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-lane/i-never-wished-that-i-was-a-superstar-hell-i-never-even-wished-that-i/) [Diane Lane](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-lane/) > [Many of the heroines from outside Karnataka have worked in my films, but the attitude and adjusting nature of top South Indian actress Nayantara…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rockline-venkatesh/many-of-the-heroines-from-outside-karnataka-have-worked-in-my-films/) [Rockline Venkatesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rockline-venkatesh/) > [There are a lot of great actresses out there. You learn to appreciate each one for what they offer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-pratt/there-are-a-lot-of-great-actresses-out-there-you-learn-to-appreciate/) [Victoria Pratt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-pratt/) > [There's certain things I try to avoid, as an actress, just to keep my world from being as narrow as it could be.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/famke-janssen/there-s-certain-things-i-try-to-avoid-as-an-actress-just-to-keep-my/) [Famke Janssen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/famke-janssen/) > [I never wanted to be an opera singer. I wanted to be an actress, maybe a rock singer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kristine-opolais/i-never-wanted-to-be-an-opera-singer-i-wanted-to-be-an-actress-maybe/) [Kristine Opolais](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kristine-opolais/) > [When an actor charges high fees, nobody says anything. But when an actress does the same, it becomes news.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vijayashanti/when-an-actor-charges-high-fees-nobody-says-anything-but-when-an/) [Vijayashanti](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vijayashanti/) > [I am going to be a great actress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vivien-leigh/i-am-going-to-be-a-great-actress/) [Vivien Leigh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vivien-leigh/) > [As a black actress you've got to work doubly hard. But it doesn't ever get me to the point where I give up on…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/naturi-naughton/as-a-black-actress-you-ve-got-to-work-doubly-hard-but-it-doesn-t-ever/) [Naturi Naughton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/naturi-naughton/) [Browse all 2,244 Actress quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/actress/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "What I like about being an actress is that it keeps you feminine. Being a director and producer makes you manly and very masculine and I don't like that quality in a woman. But I'll do it when the film is very close to me.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Bai Ling" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-that-it-keeps-you-feminine/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Actress" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-that-it-keeps-you-feminine/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e01/bai-ling-15371_actress_what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-th_3132558.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e01/bai-ling-15371_actress_what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-th_3132558.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/e01/bai-ling-15371_actress_what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-th_3132558.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“What I like about being an actress is that it keeps you feminine. Being a director and producer makes you…” — Bai Ling", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Bai Ling", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bai-ling/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "What I like about being an...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-that-it-keeps-you-feminine/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bai-ling/what-i-like-about-being-an-actress-is-that-it-keeps-you-feminine/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```