How Years of Masking Autism Led to Sue Ann Pien’s Acting Pursuit

“As We See It” star Sue Ann Pien’s early years as somebody on the autism spectrum had a number of affect on her resolution to pursue appearing. In a latest interview with “Folks,” the 42-year-old actor explains that she usually would “masks” or “camouflage” traits about herself that weren’t deemed “socially acceptable.”

“I used to be taught from a really younger age to behave my method by life. I had a very robust, uncanny capability to choose up languages and totally different accents and I might simply mimic. I might watch how folks stroll and it was like character examine,” Pien remembers. “After which I used to be like, I really like this, I am doing it anyway, why not do it professionally?”

The actor, mockingly sufficient, was in a position to cease performing when she was solid on the Amazon Prime Video sequence as Violet, an autistic lady navigating maturity and courting. “For therefore many features of Violet, I did not actually need to act. I simply needed to pull from my very own experiences, my historical past, who I’m, what I went by,” Pien tells “Folks,” including, “It was cathartic in a number of methods.” “As We See It” is at present streaming on Prime Video.

Pien just lately spoke to POPSUGAR about engaged on “As We See It” alongside Rick Glassman and Albert Rutecki, who play her roommates Jack and Harrison, respectively, who’re additionally on the autism spectrum. “It was unimaginable to be surrounded by so many people who find themselves on the spectrum,” she shares. “It was the kindest, most compassionate setting I might ever been in as a result of there was a lot empathy and understanding in the direction of the sensitivities that I felt very cared for.” Along with “As We See It,” Pien has been in “Eternal,” “Citzen Mars,” “Ballers,” and extra.