This Woman Went Viral After Her $25 Chinatown Haircut Turned Into A Movement To Support The AAPI Community

If you're on NYC TikTok, then you may have heard of Viveca Chow.

Sam Pickart Photography

Viveca is a content creator focused on highlighting small businesses and events in New York City. Her content career journey began after her first video on her $25 haircut in Chinatown went viral. Although her posts have expanded to include the city in its entirety, her page started as a way to share small, Asian-owned businesses in Chinatown.

Viveca Chow

Not only has she used content creation to support small businesses, but she's made a large scale impact within the Asian community through her work as an actor.

BuzzFeed sat down with Viveca to chat about her content creator journey, Asian identity, favorite NYC food spots, and more.

Your first video to go viral was the $25 haircut in NYC Chinatown. What was your mindset behind publishing this, and did you think you’d end up reaching so many people with it?

Viveca Chow

Viveca: I started posting on TikTok during mid-to-late COVID, and my first viral video was maybe my third or fourth one because I didn't have the intention of going viral. I just wanted to share my hairstylist in Chinatown. Her name is Mei, and we're really good friends. With all the racism that happened during COVID, I felt very negatively impacted and felt the weight of going to Chinatown — with how dead and empty it was. That did something to me, and I wanted to try and change that in whatever little way I could. That's what is most important to me — taking the little steps, and those little things can become a bigger thing. I'll never forget when Mei called me and told me she was booked out for two months; I literally got chills. And then, I realized that this is the impact of social media, and whether you love or hate it, you can't dispute that influence. I'm truly grateful for my voice being amplified.

A big part of your content is based on highlighting Asian-owned businesses. How do you find these businesses to highlight?

Viveca Chow

Viveca: I really try to specialize in a lot of "hidden gems" or places that haven't been posted about or talked about that often. My process is very simple: I go on Google Maps, I enlarge a neighborhood, and I start looking through everything, compiling my list that way. I also obviously know that social media is very powerful, so if I come across a place that someone did post about, I save it, and I like to check it out myself. Or I'll wander around the city, and if I see something interesting, I'll immediately save it on my maps and go back there another day. And when that day comes, I'll go, and if I like it, I make a video. But yes, Google Maps is my number one. I literally just zoom in. You can find me on my couch. Literally, that's my job over here, zooming in on Google Maps.

BuzzFeed: Honestly, I feel like that's a pretty good way to go about it because whenever I'm just randomly roaming the city, sometimes I'll see an interesting place, wander in, and think, "This is awesome. I never knew this was here." That's smart in the way that you'll find businesses that have not been highlighted before, and that goes back to your whole point of trying to have an impact and how a small thing can turn into a big thing.

Viveca: Yes, and sometimes all it takes is a little bit of extra effort! For me, sometimes I'm like, "Oh, I'm not doing anything today. Let's open up Google Maps and look," and it really does remind me that just taking one extra little step can really change the world.

How does it feel to know you are using your voice to support your community while educating others on your culture?

Viveca: I'm not gonna lie, it is a big responsibility, and some days it does come with a lot of pressure, you know? I ask myself things like, "Am I saying the right thing?" or "Is this the right thing?" But the reality is that there is no right thing. The most you can do is do something, and if it isn't quite right, then you adjust, you learn from it, and you move on. But it makes me so happy that I have this community that likes and trusts in me, because it feels very nice to see the comments and connect with people who do visit these businesses and love them. It's very rewarding and meaningful to me. I always try to lead with my heart and try to make the world a kinder place that's rooted in empathy. Whether I'm acting or storytelling in general, I think that creative expression has such a huge effect on people. When your story is able to move someone else, it's truly special, and I'm so grateful.

You’ve been featured in various media outlets, from New York Live to ABC’s Localish, and more. Did you ever think you’d be featured on the news and reach such heights when you began publishing content about NYC?

For those who are in the loop about Chinatowns around the US, it is clear that they are at risk of disappearing, and the younger generations are fighting to keep them alive. As someone who is a part of this mission to not only educate others about culture but also the importance of keeping these neighborhoods alive, what do you have to say about the current state of affairs?

Viveca: I'm speechless right now because it's really, really difficult. You know, I see the development for the jail, and that's really heartbreaking to see. And that's part of a larger systemic problem in America, and it's hard to see people getting pushed out. It feels very powerless, to be honest. Yeah, I don't have an answer for that at all. But again, what can you do personally and what actions can you take, little by little, to help create a larger impact? You can align yourself with other organizations and nonprofits that do the good work, like Welcome to Chinatown, and stay informed. It's just very difficult to see.

BuzzFeed: Of course, it's a rough situation that makes many people in the community feel powerless. And you are part of the younger generation trying to help save Chinatown, so I can only imagine how you're feeling about this.

Viveca: I think a lot of people aren't aware of it that aren't in Chinatown, so I'm so happy you asked that question. I think it's important for everyone to know because the more awareness someone has, the more they can be pushed toward taking little steps and actions along the way. And I think that is really the way to go about it — you can only plant a seed in someone's head, water it, and then it grows. But no, I'm really happy you asked me that question because I can tell you right now I do not have an answer at all. And it's devastating.

Do you have a personal connection with Chinatown? Can you share any favorite memories?

Viveca: Yeah, so for me, it's language. Cantonese is, unfortunately, becoming a lost language because it's not really a language that could be taught. If you ask me, "What are the nine tones in Cantonese?" I'd be like, "I've absolutely no idea." But I am a native speaker. So, it's something that is passed down. Because my parents are in Hong Kong, I am here alone with my husband. We're both from Hong Kong, but whenever I missed home, I really went to Chinatown to listen to people talk. I know this sounds silly, but it's just like your body remembers, and that's kind of why I love going to Chinatown. The lady by the Grand Street Station where she sells the glutinous rice wraps — she yells at the top of her lungs, and that unlocks so many different memories to my own culture and what it means to me. So really, it's home, and I spend so much time down there because I just feel so comfortable. And when I'm down there, I feel so proudly represented, and the community is so strong there. One time I passed out in Chinatown because of a medical condition. And literally, I opened my eyes, and all I remember was a swarm of grandpas and grandmas coming toward me and taking care of me. If I had to encapsulate Chinatown in one feeling, it would be that.

BuzzFeed: It's like the modern-day version of that phrase: It takes a village to raise a child. It takes a village to truly make things work.

Viveca: Yes, and it speaks so strongly to community as well. We can't function in this world without community or a good support system. And even for me, I have so many stories of being supported by people that don't even know me. And that is honestly the magic of New York City in general, but I feel that so apparently in Chinatown.

What does your Asian identity mean to you?

Let’s chat about what brought you to NYC in the first place. You’re the first Hong Kong-born-and-raised Broadway musical performer and have overcome adversities as a minority actor in the US. What was your experience like, and how did it feel to reach that milestone?

Viveca: What brought me to New York City was one thing and one thing only: I wanted to be on Broadway. That has been my dream ever since I was 9 years old, unwaveringly. You can never knock it down, and it's a dream that is still in me. I achieved it a few years back, and I would love to do it again. And it's so wild to think that I was the first, but it's not a traditional career path, especially as someone from Hong Kong. My parents wanted me to go into careers like doctor, lawyer, or business person. I think it really came down to timing, and I'm just so lucky to have been born into a family that nurtured my creativity instead of suppressing it, and I will forever be grateful for that. And it's truly not that I'm "more talented" or anything. I think it's truly just timing and how things work out in terms of "Are you at the right place at the right time?" And it's honestly so interesting because so many people who did go through the traditional paths are now circling back and pursuing creative endeavors. And I think if you have that dream in you, it cannot be knocked out, and you're going to come back to that eventually because it's what you love, and you don't want to regret anything in life. But I'm very proud that I hold that title. I'm very grateful for it. Honestly, it's cool. But again, it's not the end all, be all — I'm very proud, but there's so much work to do. But it definitely was cool to experience that as an international actor.

Did your parents support your dreams? What was your relationship with them like?

Viveca: Oh, I could talk about my parents for hours. I'm truly so blessed. They could have easily just been like, "Stop that girl from singing; she's silly for doing that all the time." They could have done so many things differently, but they really chose to stick by me — they put me in so many lessons, they let me try different things, and they never forced me to do anything that I didn't want to do. They were the biggest supporters of my talent, and I think it came from them also having creative dreams when they were younger and never fulfilled. My dad wanted to be an impressionistic painter, but he never could. My parents were so poor — they grew up in poverty. So everything they had, they gave to me, and they worked so tirelessly to make my dream come true, and I'll just never forget that. When my dad saw me perform and I walked out to meet him after, he had tears in his eyes, and no words were spoken. But we both knew what those tears meant. My parents are my biggest supporters ever, and I'm really, really lucky and so privileged to be able to do this because it could have gone so many different ways.

Let’s learn more about you! What Asian dish do you think is S-tier?

Viveca: Steamed egg.

Note: Let it be known that she did not hesitate at all to announce that steamed eggs were her favorite food. It was truly a declaration.

BuzzFeed: Wait, really?

Viveca: Yes! Steamed egg with a drizzle of sweet soy sauce. You cannot beat that mixed with rice and some scallions on top. Literally, that's comfort food for me. I could have 10 steamed eggs a day because I love steamed eggs.

BuzzFeed: Do you make it at home, or do you have a spot that you go to?

Viveca: My husband is the only one in this household that can make it perfectly, and I will indulge in it happily. I'm not an expert chef, but I am an expert eater.

BuzzFeed: Oh, I get that for sure.

Viveca: There's a specific technique that he does that makes it completely flat and smooth, which is the way I prefer it.

BuzzFeed: So the best place to get your steamed egg is at your place when your husband is making it!

Viveca: Exactly!

What are your favorite Asian foods when you're eating out in NYC?

Viveca: Yeah, wow, that's a really hard question.

BuzzFeed: In general, what types of foods do you tend to crave?

Viveca: Okay, my top three are Japanese, Indian, and Chinese food.

BuzzFeed: Do you like specific dishes within those cuisines that you love and think are the best?

Viveca: You're gonna laugh at me. For Japanese cuisine, it's also the Japanese-style steamed egg.

BuzzFeed: You're consistent!

Viveca: I'm very consistent. No, I also really like udon. I love going to Raku because it's one of the only places where the udon is made freshly in-house. But I love udon that's in a very light broth — I personally prefer it over ramen. It's just so freaking good to me. For Indian food, I love anything that is spicy off the charts. I love stuffing my face with the hottest pepper you can find because I have a very high heat tolerance. I love vindaloo and the tomatoey, tangy taste that comes with the dish. For Chinese food, I would say Cantonese food because that's home for me. So, clay pot rice is incredible, and steamed rice noodle rolls with shrimp.

You just mentioned Raku as a place to visit. What other places in NYC do you suggest to try out?

Viveca Chow

Viveca: Okay, so for really good Chinese food, I really like this place called Antidote in Williamsburg. It was a very unexpected favorite of mine, just because I didn't expect it to be so good. It's authentic, and even my parents approved, too. It's got a more modern aesthetic, so it's definitely not what you would expect if you walk into a Chinese restaurant, but it was really good. I also really like Cho Dang Gol. It's near Bryant Park, and they have perilla tofu stew, which is so good that it makes me cry. I'm a very emotional person, and I think food is such a beautiful thing that connects you to a story and culture. Lastly, this isn't really a restaurant, but Little Flower Cafe, which is a halal coffee shop. They just have the best Afghan pink tea, which has cardamom, rose, and fennel. Their food is also amazing, too. It's just such a cool coffee shop, and it's run by such sweet people.

What advice would you give to people who want to start making their own content?

Viveca Chow

Viveca: I think you really have to know yourself because whatever you post is an extension of you and your beliefs and passions. It's your reality that you're posting, so you really have to know yourself and be comfortable with who you are. If you're not, then it shows up in your content. And I think that gets lost really easily on social media. From personal experience, I've dealt with many external factors that have to be considered. Like, okay, yes, this video is not doing well, but did I have fun making it? I did, and so I should post it and not take things so personally.

I would also say that you should be unapologetically yourself and that no extra effort should be needed or forced. It should be fun and free so you avoid burnout. Then through that joy you get from creating, you're able to bring other people joy. I use joy as my example because I'm very joyful in everything I do. I try to bring positivity to it because I want to see a positive change in the world.

Lastly, I would say definitely analyze why you like certain videos so much and take those learnings to help you improve as a storyteller.

Do you have a message to share with our readers?

Viveca: Oh, there are so many things I could say. I think that it's important to have grace with yourself, especially navigating this very dystopian world we live in. To be honest, I'm not really sure how to phrase this, but the world is a very sad place. That being said, I want people to know that they matter, that they make a difference, and that the things people do will make a difference in this world. And sometimes that is enough.

BuzzFeed: Like we talked about earlier, it's about the small things that turn into big things.

Viveca: Exactly! Oh, and also, laugh more. I think that life is beautiful, and there is a lot of joy to be shared, and connecting with others is magical when you let it be. Living in a crazy place like New York City, it can be miserable and tough. Unfortunately, that can harden people, but I say don't let life harden you. Do the hard things, but don't let it harden you.

Thank you Viveca for sitting down with us! Be sure to check out Viveca on TikTok and Instagram to keep up with her journey and amazing NYC recommendations.