Sandra Oh Quotes

Powerful Sandra Oh for Daily Growth

About Sandra Oh

Sandra Miju Oh (born July 20, 1971) is a Canadian-American actress and producer, best known for her role as Dr. Cristina Yang on the ABC drama "Grey's Anatomy," which earned her critical acclaim and multiple awards. Oh was born in Ottawa, Ontario, to Korean parents who had immigrated to Canada. She spent much of her childhood in Nepean, Ontario, where she developed a passion for acting at an early age. At the age of 8, Oh made her stage debut as Mary Lennox in a production of "The Secret Garden" at the Gladstone Theatre in Ottawa. After graduating from Carleton University's School ofdrama, Oh moved to Vancouver and began appearing in television shows such as "Double Happiness," "The Trailer Park Boys," and "Politically Incorrect." Her big break came in 2004 when she was cast as Dr. Cristina Yang on "Grey's Anatomy." Over the course of ten seasons, Oh received multiple nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series and won a Golden Globe Award in 2006. In addition to her work on "Grey's Anatomy," Oh has appeared in films such as "Sideways" (2004), "The Night Listener" (2006), "A Wrinkle in Time" (2018), and "Blindspotting" (2018). She also co-produced the film "The Farewell" (2019), which she starred in alongside Awkwafina. Oh's work has been recognized with numerous awards, including a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series and a Peabody Award for "Grey's Anatomy." In 2018, Oh was named one of the Time 100, Time magazine's annual list of the most influential people in the world. Oh continues to work as an actress and producer, using her platform to advocate for greater representation of Asian Americans in Hollywood. She is widely respected for her talent, dedication, and commitment to social justice.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think that's part of growing up: accepting your roots, celebrating them, and also understanding they don't define you."

Sandra Oh's quote underscores the importance of recognizing one's cultural heritage while simultaneously acknowledging that it doesn't solely determine one's identity or personal growth. In other words, embracing one's roots is a means to appreciate where we come from, but ultimately, individuality and self-discovery are the keys to personal development. This quote encourages an acceptance and celebration of cultural heritage while promoting a mindset that allows for personal exploration beyond these roots.


"There is a power in telling your story, owning your narrative. It's a political act."

Sandra Oh's quote emphasizes that sharing one's personal story and taking control of one's own narrative can be a powerful, political act. By revealing our experiences, we challenge the dominant narratives and assert our identity, agency, and perspective in society. This act empowers us individually and collectively, fostering empathy, understanding, and change.


"Be open to being influenced by the people around you. Be open to changing your mind. And know that one person can make a difference."

Sandra Oh's quote encourages us to embrace learning and growth from others, and it underscores the idea that our perspectives can change for the better when we are open-minded and humble. It also suggests that individuals possessing the courage to challenge their beliefs and evolve can spark meaningful change in themselves and possibly in those around them.


"We need to see more faces on television that are not like us so we can understand each other better."

This quote by Sandra Oh highlights the importance of diversity in media representation. By showcasing a variety of ethnicities, genders, ages, and backgrounds, we foster empathy and understanding among different communities. Television, as a powerful medium for cultural exchange, can help bridge gaps between people who might otherwise never interact or have preconceived notions about each other. Diversity in media isn't just about representation but also about fostering connections, empathy, and mutual respect among humanity.


"I'm here to represent those who feel unrepresented, and I think we all have that in us."

This quote emphasizes the importance of representation and advocacy for those who often feel overlooked or underserved in society. Sandra Oh suggests that everyone has the potential to stand up and represent groups or individuals whose voices might not otherwise be heard. It's a powerful call-to-action, urging people to recognize their ability to make a difference and inspire change.


Hollywood likes to put actors in boxes, and it likes to put Asian actors in really small boxes.

- Sandra Oh

Small, Hollywood, Boxes, Asian

In many Asian households, to not go on to higher education, that's like a big no-no. I know my parents' discouragement was for my own protection, and I'm really close to them now, but they didn't understand that there is value in this. That's because they didn't know.

- Sandra Oh

Education, Big, Own, Households

I grew up never seeing myself on-screen, and it's really important to me to give people who look like me a chance to see themselves. I want to see myself as the hero of any story. I want to see myself save the world from the bomb.

- Sandra Oh

Hero, Bomb, Save, On-Screen

And on a Canadian set, everybody is equal. You get paid the same. You live together in barracks. You have a communal kitchen. You buy and cook your own food.

- Sandra Oh

Cook, Everybody, Set, Communal

A lot of things that I can't get into the room for, even just to be seen, is because they're just saying 'No. they're not casting non-white.' You're lumped into a category with people who are just not white.

- Sandra Oh

People, Room, Lumped, Casting

I equate fame towards people who know your work, people who will see your work. But all that stuff, like with the Genies and stuff like that, it was so much fun. It's so much fun and it's nice when it comes, but that's not what it's all about.

- Sandra Oh

See, About, Your, Genie

With small breasts, you don't have to wear a bra with dresses that have some support. It feels sexy without one.

- Sandra Oh

Small, Some, Feels, Bra

All the jobs I've gotten in the last two years are because directors have seen the work I've done - indie films, plays, short student films, TV - since I moved to the states in 1996. I mean, I have an entire career in Canada that nobody has seen.

- Sandra Oh

Career, Indie, TV, Student Films

Wherever Koreans are, they set up a church.

- Sandra Oh

Church, Set, Up, Koreans

I don't get jobs in films by auditioning. I'm not blonde. You can't place me in movies the way you can with certain actors. It's very difficult for my agents.

- Sandra Oh

Very, Jobs, Films, Agents

As a working actor, all I want to do is work. That's it. It's terrifying when you don't work. It's very hard when you don't work. There have been times when I've been out of work for like six months. I feel theatre to me is like manna.

- Sandra Oh

Been, Very, Terrifying, Working Actor

I feel comfortable in places like London. You get many cultures in L.A. but it's strangely segregated.

- Sandra Oh

London, Feel, Like, Strangely

People ask me what I'm writing. They think I'm Sandra Tsing Loh. Or they ask about stand-up. 'No, that's Margaret Cho.' I really think there is this kind of glomming, that they think we are somehow all the same person.

- Sandra Oh

Think, Kind, About, Margaret

I'm not a slave to fashion; I'm into exercising my individuality.

- Sandra Oh

Fashion, Slave, Exercising, Individuality

I think the roles in television are better for women right now. At this point, I don't want to continue doing the same things I've been doing in film because it's very limited.

- Sandra Oh

Doing, Been, Very, Same Things

I was lucky on 'Arli$$.' I basically got to do whatever I wanted because HBO is great for that.

- Sandra Oh

Lucky, Wanted, Basically, HBO

I love my hair. When I was young it had weird kinks and cowlicks in it, but I just grew into it. You grow into a lot of things.

- Sandra Oh

Love, Grow, Young, Kinks

I think all women should learn how to strip. It's a really healthy, extremely challenging thing to do.

- Sandra Oh

Learn, Think, I Think, All Women

Becoming an actor? If it's not a calling, don't do it. It's too hard.

- Sandra Oh

Actor, Becoming, Too, Calling

When your life changes and you become a more public person, in some ways you need to be a more closed person, you know?

- Sandra Oh

More, Need, Some, Closed

You should see my house. It's sort of explosive. Like a crazy person lives there.

- Sandra Oh

Like, Explosive, Lives, Crazy Person

If you have ever been to couples therapy it's really, really challenging.

- Sandra Oh

Therapy, Been, Ever, Challenging

The beginning of my career was so brilliant. It wasn't until ten years later that I went, 'Oh, that was a big, fat fluke and, boy, was I ever lucky.'

- Sandra Oh

Career, Lucky, Big, Fluke

I can get a better role in TV and work more constantly than I can waiting around for my friends in Canada to call me every four years - which they do - and I go up there and play a leading role.

- Sandra Oh

Play, Role, TV, Canada

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