Jazz Tangcay (Senior Artisans Editor, Variety) | Renegades

The South London journalist who brought a new voice to Hollywood

Welcome to Renegades, a series spotlighting Asian Pacific leaders and creatives who are carving their own paths and defying stereotypes along the way.

This week, we’re featuring Jazz Tangcay, entertainment journalist and the Senior Artisans Editor at Variety. Jazz reflects on her journey from SoSoGay to LA, how to shine a spotlight on artisans’ achievements, and her Filipina identity within the entertainment industry.

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What did you want to be when you were growing up, and how does that compare to what you do today?

I honestly went through so many ideas of what I wanted to be. My earliest ambition was to be an astronaut. I was obsessed with astronomy. I’d go the London Planetarium as often as I could. But when I asked my mum if I could go to Space Camp, she said “No”, and that killed that dream.

I really wanted to be a criminal lawyer practicing law in Los Angeles. Yeah, I watched L.A Law. My friends and I all had that dream. I even did a 2-week work experience during school shadowing a barrister working on the Bob Marley Estate. I took it up for A Levels and was shocked that I had to learn Tort Law. The course book was so thick, and I cried when I learnt I had to master Tort Law alongside Criminal Law, and there were no short cuts. So that dream got crushed pretty quickly, as well. None of my friends became lawyers.

I went through the gamut of things. When I realized the law thing wasn’t going to work, my best friend said I should be a counsellor. So, I got out of uni and did a course in marriage counseling. But no one was going to take a 21-year-old giving out marriage advice seriously. Also, I didn’t want to be responsible for any divorces. Ha!

And because I love traveling, I thought, “why not be a flight attendant”. Yes, my 5-foot ass can dream, and it dreams big. Note to younger self, there’s a height requirement to be a flight attendant.

Here’s the thing, I’ve always loved writing. I was always writing. I’d love reading and just writing stories. And I have always loved film and TV for as long as my memory serves. My first cinema date was Sleeping Beauty. Growing up in the U.K, I’d stay up all night watching the Oscars and was obsessed with watching films I shouldn’t have been watching. Kramer vs. Kramer was my go-to while I was still in primary school! Maybe it’s because I came from a single parent household? But it was right up there along with Mary Poppins, The King and I and The Ten Commandments. Anyway, I also would spend my pocket money on buying Variety and The Hollywood Reporter, as well as Empire magazine and Premiere. I once sent a letter to Conde Nast/Vogue as a “I’ve got nothing to lose” approach after watching The Devil Wears Prada and got rejected. But, I never thought this world could be accessible for me. Boy, was I wrong. But, yes, the L.A part growing up, came true.

What initially sparked your interest in film, and how has this passion evolved over the years?

My love for film began when I was a kid. I’d remember watching Dallas and Dynasty with my mum. ‘80s kids had it good! She was always working and so TV raised me. I had a TV in my room so I was watching things I probably should not have been watching. But I was always interested in the making of films and loved films. I’d sit down and watch and listen to the DVD commentary- yes, I’m old. I’d watch the deleted scenes and everything. I was a nerd like that. The passion got stronger with age. The more films I watched, the more it fed the beast.

How did you end up at Variety?

I eventually ended up in sales and marketing, but would spend every free minute freelance writing for SoSoGay.co.uk. I wrote about music, entertainment news and the first film review I ever wrote was for 22 Jump Street. When the internet became accessible, I’d read and follow the Oscar pundits and one of my go-to sites was Awards Daily. I reached out and it just so happened I was moving to L.A around that time. So, when I moved here, I landed in a social media marketing job by day, and every spare minute I had, I’d be writing for Awards Daily, interviewing and going to events. Interviewing editors, costume designers, writers, directors and talent as they broke down the nitty gritty of film making and storytelling was so fascinating. I learned so much about the Oscar race by writing for it as opposed to just following it. It was such a great way to learn about the industry and Hollywood and the campaign machine, getting that insight and experience, and I realized I had found my calling in life. I just needed to get paid for it.

So, I did that for about five years. I joined Variety in 2019 and got to do what I love, working with the artisans and shining a spotlight on those storytellers because they have the best stories and ones you can learn the most from.

Tell us about your journey from London to Los Angeles.

There were a few things. First of all, I was in a long-distance relationship and we did that for 3 and a half years. I also was navigating coming out as an adult and it was not easy. I switched sides pretty late in life, or rather just couldn’t figure out my dating fail. So, coming from a Filipino Catholic household and family, things went to hell real fast. My mother struggled with it and my family stepped in pretty fast to join the bandwagon of expressing their dismay with my relationship even though they were thousands of miles away, they still had opinions. Interestingly, it was easier for other kids and the boys in the family to be gay, but God help you if you were female. The conflict of dealing with loyalty, family, and community while being your true authentic self and realizing what you had to do for happiness was a painful journey to go on. Music, film and writing were my escape, and always there, judgement free, so I threw myself into that whilst I tackled the drama going on at home behind closed doors.

As my relationship got to that point of realizing this was going to be long-term, I decided to make the move to L.A and cut the personal drama out because going home to tears and being told I shouldn’t be “gay” was not fun. So, I quit my day job, and moved to L.A., started over, and the rest is history…I learned so many lessons along the way, but most of all, it was about being authentic and I picked love which opened so many doors.

Had you not ventured into the realm of entertainment journalism, which other genres of journalism would you explore? Are there specific subjects or issues outside the entertainment industry that you feel particularly drawn to or passionate about?

Sports. I think it would have been sports. I’m obsessed with tennis as someone who plays and someone who follows the ATP. There needs to be more female voices covering this. Maybe I’d be writing about the pickleball revolution and why everyone is obsessed with it. I also like F1 racing and the NBA, not sure if I could write expertly about those, but I’m sure I’d be doing something along those lines in an alternate life.

Given that it’s Filipino American History Month, what does it mean to be a Filipina woman in the entertainment industry for you personally, and what challenges or opportunities have you encountered? 

I think it’s such a great honor to do what I do. This little kid from South London. Moving to America really made me take a deeper look at what it meant to be Filipino because I was asked where was I from. Here, I wasn’t from “Tooting, South London.” Here that means where your parents are from. “So, my response was ‘My mum is from the Philippines.” I’ve definitely taken greater pride in my roots. But I can’t speak a word of Tagalog…

Variety gives me a platform to shine a spotlight on voices that aren’t always highlighted, not just AAPI voices, but the craft stories, the ones who make the magic happen. So much time is spent on the talent, but there are so many great stories that the artisans have to tell. I really love finding those stories, and my work gives me that opportunity.

I also really love when I do find AAPI talent to spotlight. For the longest time there have been almost no Asian stories on screen, behind-the-camera and it’s something we’re seeing, this revolution. So, when you get a film like Crazy Rich Asians, Everything Everywhere All At Once or Joy Ride, and just see the immense rise of AAPIs everywhere, the different communities coming together to elevate one another’s voices it’s really an incredible thing. And you want to tell those stories. I love and endeavor to champion us where possible. And really, doing what I do, with the amazing team at Variety that gives me the platform to elevate the stories that need to be told, is something I don’t take for granted.

You’re known for shining a spotlight on the people working behind the scenes, making significant contributions to film and TV. How do you weave together stories that really bring out the unique and important roles they play?

I look at each person’s role, their past work and present. From there, I try to find their specific contributions made on the project and I delve into the details of their work. Each story is different, each frame tells a different story and I listen. It’s so important to listen to the story. I look for the tidbits and dive into that. I also look to the individual. I love finding those stories where someone can make history if they’re nominated. Those stories bring me so much joy to cover. Really, I just love doing deep deep dives with them. When you have a panel of 6 or you hear how about color arcs on characters, easter eggs or how Corn Flakes is used to make a certain sound, it’s so much fun, and you absolutely change the way you watch a film or TV show because of it.

You have extensively covered pivotal events, such as the Emmy and Oscar races, in the entertainment industry. What is the process of covering these awards and what advice would you give to those who want to get a start in it?

It’s always awards season in Los Angeles. Awards season seems to be year-round. From TV to Film coverage, it bleeds into one another and that change has come because of streaming. So, there is always a TV show to cover that is going to vie for Emmys coverage down the line, as soon as we’re done with Emmys, it’s into the Oscars race. But it’s such a joy ride to be on. Again, it goes back to telling the story and finding different ways of telling a story. Take any film this season – say Barbie. “Sorry, Greta Gerwig, it’s a 2 billion dollar movie, we’re going to keep on talking about Barbie.” We’ve been talking about it and writing about it since it opened. The best part is finding new ways to cover a film that you will be talking about for months.

My advice – love what you do, and work hard. And do not blag your way through an interview. Watch the show, watch the film – people know when you’re faking it!

What are you currently working on that’s exciting you the most?

Right now, I’ve got the Variety Creative Collaborators award at the Middleburg Film Festival which we are presenting to Sofia Coppola and her costume designer Stacey Battat for their work together on Priscilla. So I’m psyched for that. This is the second time we’ve given out the award. So many artisans collaborate with the same people, and that series was born last year as a new way of telling the artisan story, but having talent involved in championing their creative partners to show the importance of the storytelling process.

I’m also excited for 10 Artisans to Watch at Savannah’s Film Festival where we highlight artisans across the board making their mark in the industry. Those awards are my babies, and I’m so proud and grateful that Variety and the festivals have been supportive of these ideas and championing them.

And, I’m VERY VERY excited for a project I’m working on that will be birthed in 2024. I can’t say anything about it yet, but I’m really excited for what it means and the impact it wil have. WATCH THIS SPACE!!

Lightning Round

Daily habit

My new thing is grinding fresh coffee beans and making French press coffee.

Most productive time of the day

Morning. I wake up and my brain is ready to go. I’m writing this at 6:30 a.m ha!

Favorite feel-good film

There are so many. Right now, it’s “Sleepless in Seattle” - I’m just a hopeless romantic.

Fun fact

I ran into a brick wall and gave myself a concussion. I was a kid…

Most used emoji

Fire 🔥

Favorite place to write

My desk at home with the window open while listening to the traffic on Fountain Avenue. Except for when the sirens go by and I’m on an interview.