This is an interview with my really close friend, Irene Liao.
Her story starts when she was very young. Let's start with some information about Irene. She is currently a college student at the University of Delaware. She is a hotel, restaurant industry management major. She loves to travel and go exploring. She will talk non-stop about Hawaii and she loves guacamole. She is very outgoing and social. She is literally the nicest girl you will ever meet.
Her story began when she was starting third grade (she was 8 years old). She was born in New York but she was sent to a boarding school in Tai Pei. She began her obsession with Michael Jordan when she watched a Gatorade commercial starring the basketball legend. After she watched the commercial, she was hooked. One day she went shopping with her friends and they passed a store that had a cut-out of Michael Jordan. She was so excited that she ran inside and inquired about how much it would be to take him home. She paid like 200 NT (which is about $6) for him. From that moment onwards, she carried him everywhere she went.
As you can see below:
However, her parents decided to take the cut out away from her because her school teacher sent home a note proclaiming "an unhealthy childhood phase." From that moment onwards, she's been on the look-out for other MJ cutouts. From an article in New York Magazine, Irene was quoted saying, "Honestly, if I can find another MJ cardboard cut out I’ll bring him around to my classes [at college].”
Here are some things that I've asked her:
Q: What is the craziest thing you've ever done? (outside of carrying MJ around)
A: No comment... *Hi Mom! :)
Q: Do you still play the piano?
A: Yeah, I'm a young Beethoven.
Q: Do you play any sports?
A: You can catch me at the Christiana Towers basketball court. I'm a basketball god.
Q: What would you do if you met MJ?
A: I'd probably make a cut-out of myself to give to him for him to drag around and take pics with.
Q: Who contacted you first?
A: Buzzfeed, but New York Mag published me first.
Q: Would you ever get a tattoo of MJ?
A: I'm planning to get an MJ sleeve.
Q: What shoes are you currently styling?
A: White converse SMH, but I got those sneaker plug Jordans on the way.
Q: What is your favorite social media site?
A: Instagram is pretty tight but I think Twitter's pretty dank right now.
Q: Do you miss Taiwan?
A: Honestly need to move back to Asia. Taiwan is lit. Taiwan is home.
Q: How did you start trending?
A: People thought my pictures were hilarious.
If you want to follow her or see what she's up to:
Snapchat & Twitter: ireneliiao
Instagram: irene.liao
*She is very open to Dms
