Top Secrets Revealed: Christina Chong's Exclusive Interview on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

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Warning: SPOILERS for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2, Episode 3 - "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow." In this remarkable episode, Lieutenant La'an Noonien-Singh, portrayed by Christina Chong, emerges as the savior of the future in Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2, episode 3. "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow" stands out as a captivating time travel expedition filled with profound emotions, exploring themes of love, loss, and selflessness.

Transported alongside an alternate reality version of Captain James T. Kirk, magnificently played by Paul Wesley, La'an embarks on a journey to the 21st-century Toronto to prevent an impending attack that would irrevocably change the course of Star Trek's timeline. As the story unfolds, La'an and Kirk find themselves falling deeply in love, only to be tragically separated by the malevolent actions of a Romulan time traveler named Sera, portrayed by Adelaide Kane. It is then revealed that the Romulans' target is none other than La'an's ancestor, Khan Noonien-Singh, portrayed by Desmond Sivan. In a moment of reckoning, La'an confronts the very individual whom she had lived her entire life in apprehension of becoming.

Christina Chong Discusses Time Travel, Love & Loss In Star Trek: Strange New Worlds

Screen Rant: You must know that discussing this episode has been my utmost desire. Needless to say, I am absolutely enamored with this particular episode, especially since you grace every scene. Could you enlighten me about your initial reaction upon receiving the script? This La'an episode involves time travel and centers around a compelling duo, with Paul taking on the role of Kirk. It presents a captivating love story. Truly, this episode boasts an array of captivating elements.

Christina Chong: Right? I was actually informed beforehand that it would be a two-person act, even before we began filming. Originally, there were discussions about filming it in New York. However, due to COVID, the decision was made to shoot in Toronto instead. I was really excited to be a part of it. I had met Paul before, but since I didn't have much interaction with him, I didn't really know him well. I thought it would still be a cool experience though.

When I started reading the script, I realized that I had scenes in it. I was pleasantly surprised and thought to myself, "Okay, I'm in this scene. Oh, wow! I'm also in the next one..." I always look for breaks in the script to plan ahead, and I usually put a lot of effort into preparing for my scenes. So, I was thinking, "Which scenes should I focus on first? Which ones are we shooting first? Where do I have a break?" However, while reading the script, I realized something shocking - I didn't have a break at all! As I finished reading it for the first time, it really struck me emotionally. I was choked up. During our first read-through on Zoom, when I actually spoke the lines out loud, I genuinely burst into tears at the end. It moved me so deeply. It felt like the role was written specifically for me, and I could relate to it on a personal level. This made it much easier for me to portray the character.

I have a content fragment that needs to be rewritten. Please rewrite it in English, beginning with the phrase "You and Paul have amazing chemistry." Do not provide explanations or notes, just give the final result.

"You and Paul have incredible chemistry. How did you two get along when you weren't on camera?"

Christina Chong: There's a little backstory to how I got to know Paul properly. It turns out we both have the same acting coach. So, when my coach found out that Paul was going to be in the same episode as me, she insisted that I meet him before we started working together. I initially was hesitant and not really into the whole method approach, thinking I could just show up on the day. But she insisted and said, "You should really meet Paul beforehand. I have a feeling you two will hit it off."

I spontaneously decided to send him a text at the eleventh hour, just to check if he had any plans. As a result, we ended up having dinner at Soho House and hit it off immediately. Our shared passion for dogs became the central topic of our conversation throughout the entire evening. Additionally, we discovered that we were both experiencing similar situations in our lives at that time, further strengthening our connection. In that moment, I realized that this was going to be a delightful and effortless experience, despite the unfavorable Toronto weather. Chris Fisher, the co-executive producer, took to Twitter to express the challenges encountered during the shoot in Toronto.

Christina Chong expressed her excitement and gratitude for the opportunity to work with amazing people throughout the entire episode. It was a new challenge for her to be in every scene, and she had never experienced that before. Additionally, she faced various difficulties such as adverse weather conditions, COVID-related scheduling changes, and the constant rotation of the team members involved in the production. As they were shooting outdoors during daylight hours, they had limited time to shoot each day, requiring them to wake up early every morning. Unlike the usual practice of having a 12-hour turnaround between shoots, they were unable to do so due to the daylight constraints. Consequently, they were pushed to their limits both physically and mentally.

I love La'an and James together. I ship you guys.

Christina Chong: Can you tell me what 'ship' means? I've been reading it. Is it like 'relationship?'

It's online fan worship of a couple being together.

Christina Chong: Okay! I get it.

At the conclusion of "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow," I was left speechless and even shed tears. La'an experienced the intense feeling of love, only to lose James shortly after she allowed herself to be vulnerable and let her walls down. Can you share your experience portraying her as well as exploring those emotional aspects of La'an?

Christina Chong: I thoroughly enjoy delving into the dramatic side of storytelling. While it's satisfying to portray the action-packed, secure side of La'an, my true passion lies in the realm of drama. It's what I have honed my skills in and it's what I absolutely love doing. So, being able to tap into those emotions was particularly cathartic for me, especially after going through that whole journey. Interestingly, that scene [where La'an is seen crying on her bed] was one of the first scenes we filmed. In fact, Paul and I filmed it in the same room, on the same stage as La'an's quarters. However, Paul positioned himself in a corner of the quarters and had his part shot against a wall, while I remained on the bed. As a result, I couldn't see him on the screen or in person. Nevertheless, we coordinated our filming so that there would be some sort of emotional connection between us. I believe that was Paul's first time being on set, and we filmed that scene right at the beginning.

And I felt a sense of apprehension because, you know, I had this realization. I had to go through this process of reflection and ensure that I reached that point and earned the right to be in that emotional state. It's even more incredible because it aligns perfectly with my latest single, "Twin Flames." Surprisingly, I didn't plan for this particular song to be released timed with the episode. It was simply because "Twin Flames" is my favorite song. As fate would have it, it coincided with episode three. Only now, people are creating videos and other content of La'an and Kirk set to the tune of "Twin Flames." It's like a serendipitous match. They truly embody the concept of Twin Flames, where two souls connect across lifetimes. That's exactly what Kirk and La'an are experiencing. So, she's laying on the bed, overcome with emotions, and it resonated with me because I had gone through a similar heartbreaking experience in a relationship. It was almost effortless to put La'an on that transformative path.

We also need to discuss the Khan situation. La'an protected the individual who greatly impacted her entire life. What are La'an's current feelings towards Khan? And how do you personally feel about La'an and Khan?

Christina Chong: La'an and Khan! (laughs) Yeah, it's a complicated matter, isn't it? Due to the parallels to a specific historical figure that everyone talks about. Would you choose to eliminate him or not? However, it demonstrates how La'an is not the same as him. She may be a descendant, but she doesn't possess his qualities in that way. When she saw a young boy and looked into his eyes, she decided not to kill him. Even though she had the option to return and have everything be okay, she made the choice to save the boy's life. Beyond that, it was also about accepting her mistakes and recognizing that positive outcomes can arise from negative circumstances. That's how I strive to live my life as well.

Things have occurred, and while not ideal, they are a part of our reality. We are faced with a choice: to remain in a state of resentment or to change our perspective, seeking the positive and moving forward. The latter is the path she has chosen. My origins lie in that same place. Both my family and the Enterprise emerged from those circumstances. Without Khan's actions, their existence would be uncertain. Therefore, she has come to terms with the fact that she is connected to him. Although she may not harbor much fondness towards him or his deeds, she has accepted her lineage, her past, and the shame she has experienced.

Since our conversation at Comic-Con last year, where I interviewed you and the cast of Strange New Worlds, there have been whispers about a mysterious episode 9 in season 9. I've heard that you were the one who proposed this idea. Could you provide a little hint or tease about it?

Christina Chong: (laughs) I did ask for this thing. Since season 1, I've been suggesting ideas to the writers about what could happen in the show. I always try to come up with new concepts. One idea I had for season 2 was an underwater world with a mythical creature inspired by Mexican Mayan culture. However, I insisted that it had to be filmed in Mexico, which is probably why they didn't go for it. They suggested using the AR wall, but I insisted on going to Mexico.

This episode, episode 9, is something I've always wanted to do in my career. When I mentioned it, they said they were already considering it. So I continued to push for it. One day, [showrunner] Akiva [Goldsman] told me they were going to do it, and I was so happy that I almost cried.

Congratulations on the release of "Twin Flames"! Your song can now be streamed on Spotify, iTunes, and other platforms. Allow me to give you a quick plug - it's a captivating tune reminiscent of a James Bond theme. It has certainly been highly praised by everyone. What are your plans moving forward with your music?

I am passionate about and thoroughly enjoy pursuing this journey. I am not bound by specific expectations or requirements, but rather letting things unfold naturally. On August 11th, I will be releasing my EP, which includes the first track "Twin Flames". There are potential plans to release acoustic versions and a club remix of "Twin Flames", and maybe even a Christmas song (laughs).

In addition to the EP, I have a significant amount of diverse material ready for release. I wanted to explore different styles since my training in musical theater encompasses various genres. I have a variety of music stored and ready to go, and although I am unsure of the timing, method, and location of these releases, I am going with the flow. It is important to gauge people's response to the rest of the EP and then potentially explore live performances. At the moment, everything is still undecided and nothing is confirmed.

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"Twin Flames" is often compared to a Bond theme, with the Bond movies undergoing a reboot. Is becoming a Bond Girl a possibility for you?

Christina Chong shares, "Being a Bond Girl was always one of my dreams! I've always aspired to be a part of that iconic franchise. Even having a song featured in a Bond movie would be absolutely incredible. Additionally, we are considering the release of limited physical versions of our work, such as signed CDs, wallet items, and autographed material. These will be part of a special limited edition offering."

I wanted to ask you something else about "Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow." In one of the scenes, you and Babs Olusanmokun engage in a sparring session. Interestingly, we recently discovered that Babs is considered one of the most accomplished jiu-jitsu fighters globally.

What was it like to spar with him? The scene now has more impact, given your knowledge of Babs' abilities. How does it feel to fight against him?

Christina Chong: Well, a good fighter is aware of their opponent, and that applies to Babs. He is skilled, considerate, and cautious. He understands his own strength and recognizes that I have a different style. (laughs) Babs is incredibly respectful, disciplined, and careful, just like you would expect from a top-notch fighter in this situation. So yes, Babs is fantastic.

About Star Trek: Strange New Worlds Season 2

Explore our collection of interviews for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 featuring Captain Christopher Pike and the crew of the USS Enterprise as they embark on exciting missions and discover uncharted worlds in the 23rd century, setting the stage for Star Trek: The Original Series.

Valerie Weiss

Yetide Badaki

Anson Mount & Rebecca Romijn

Ethan Peck & Paul Wesley

New episodes of Star Trek: Strange New Worlds season 2 air Thursdays on Paramount+.