Young, Fearless, and Unstoppable: The Rise of Reagan To

At just 14 years old, Reagan To stands as one of Hollywood’s youngest and brightest multi-hyphenates—a dancer, actor, and voice performer who’s already left her mark on pop culture. From lending her voice to Netflix’s Squid Game, one of the most talked-about shows in history, to joining the worlds of Pixar with Elemental and Win or Lose, Reagan has become the face (and sound) of a new generation of young talent redefining what it means to grow up creative. Whether she’s commanding a ballroom floor in Blackpool or voicing a character millions fall in love with, Reagan blends discipline, imagination, and a joy for storytelling that feels well beyond her years.

You’ve already built such a unique career at such a young age—what first inspired you to step into the world of acting and performance?
Thank you! When I was four, I went through a really scary experience where my lung collapsed and I had to stay in the hospital for several days. Since I couldn’t do much, I spent a lot of time watching TV, and that’s when I really fell in love with the characters and the storytelling. I remember feeling like I wanted to be part of that world and bring characters to life too. I told my mom I wanted to become an actor, and she promised that once I got better, she’d sign me up for classes. That’s really where everything began!

Your voice in Squid Game became one of the most recognizable sounds in pop culture. Do you see yourself as part of this bigger cultural moment, and how do you want to carry that impact into your future roles?
It’s still kind of crazy to me that my voice in Squid Game became something people recognize all over the world. When I recorded it, I was just trying my best, and I didn’t think it would turn into such a big thing. Now when people mention it, it makes me really proud that I got to be part of something so huge. I’m still auditioning for new roles and learning as I go, and I just want to keep working on projects that people can connect with—whether it makes them laugh or feel inspired, just like I was when I was in that hospital bed.

Beyond Squid Game, you’ve voiced characters for Pixar like Young Ember in Elemental and Hannah in Win or Lose. How does stepping into the world of animation bring out a different side of your creativity?
Voicing characters in animation is such a fun and different experience for me! With projects like Elemental and Win or Lose, I really get to use my imagination, because I can’t rely on facial expressions or body language like you can when you’re acting on camera. It’s all about putting every emotion into your voice so the character feels real. Pixar has been such a big part of my childhood, so being able to actually be a voice in their films feels like a dream come true! It pushes me to be even more creative and makes me excited to keep auditioning for more animation roles in the future.

At just 14, you’re balancing careers in acting, voiceover, and competitive dance. Do you feel like you’re redefining what it means to be a young artist in Hollywood right now?
I think it’s really cool that I get to do acting, voiceover, and dance all at the same time. Each one brings out a different side of me, and I’ve learned so much from all of them. Sometimes it’s a lot to juggle, but I actually like the challenge because it keeps me growing and trying new things. I hope that by working hard and having fun with it, I can show other kids my age that it’s possible to follow more than one passion at once!

Acting on-screen versus voice acting behind the mic — how do you prepare differently for each, and do you prefer one over the other?
They’re definitely pretty different! When I’m on-screen acting, I have to think about my expressions, my body, and how I move, but with voice acting it’s all about putting everything into my voice since people can’t see me. For voiceover work, I spend a lot of time imagining the character and really thinking about how they feel and sound. I don’t think I really prefer one over the other because I love them both. They each let me be creative in different ways, and it’s fun to switch between them.

Dance is more than a trophy or title—it’s storytelling through movement. When you step on the floor at Blackpool or a world championship, what story are you trying to tell about yourself?
When I dance ballroom, I feel like I am telling a story that is elegant and full of emotion, and when I dance Latin it is more about passion, fire, and energy. Each style lets me show a different side of myself. At Blackpool or a world championship, I want people to see not just the technique but how much I love dancing and how much of myself I put into it. The story I want to tell is that I am growing, learning, and sharing who I am through every performance.

You’ve represented the U.S. in international ballroom competitions and even placed in the prestigious Blackpool Championships. What have those experiences taught you about discipline and performance?
Being able to represent the U.S. was such a huge honor, and it taught me a lot about hard work. Competing at that level means practicing almost every day, even when I am tired or have schoolwork. It has shown me that discipline is not just about working hard, but also about being patient and not giving up when something is tough. Performing in front of big crowds also taught me how to stay calm and focused, even when I feel nervous. I always remind myself that all the training got me ready for that moment.

Hollywood is slowly opening up to more Asian stories and voices. As a young Asian American actress, what does representation mean to you, and how do you hope your career contributes to that conversation?
Representation means everything to me because when I was younger, I didn’t see many kids who looked like me in the shows and movies I watched. It sometimes made me feel like maybe there wasn’t a place for me in acting. Now, seeing more Asian actors and stories makes me feel proud and excited, and it gives me hope that kids growing up now will feel seen in a way I didn’t always feel. I hope my career shows that Asian American actors can play all kinds of roles, and that our stories matter just as much as anyone else’s.

You’ve been the face of global campaigns from Nike to Forever 21. Do you see fashion and brand work as just another job — or as a platform to express who Reagan To really is?
Fashion and brand work is definitely more than just a job to me! It’s another way I can show my personality and have fun with who I am. Each campaign feels different. With Nike I got to show my sporty and strong side, which connects to dance because you need a lot of energy and focus. With Forever 21, it was more playful and about style and trying new looks. I like that people can see me in different ways through fashion, and it makes me feel like I can share little parts of myself that maybe they don’t see when I am dancing or acting.

You speak English, Cantonese, and Mandarin—do you see yourself as a cultural bridge, and how do you want that to influence your future work?
Being able to speak three languages is something I am really proud of because it makes me feel connected to my family and my culture. It also lets me connect with people outside my family too. I think it is important for me as an Asian American actress because representation is still growing, and I want to be part of that change. I would love to be in roles where I can actually use Cantonese or Mandarin or be part of stories that show more Asian characters. I hope kids who look like me can see that and feel like they belong in acting and entertainment, too!

You’ve already done more at 14 than some adults dream of in a lifetime. When people look back on your career years from now, what do you hope your legacy says?
I hope people remember me as someone who worked hard but also really loved what she was doing. I want my legacy to show that you can follow your dreams at any age and that you don’t have to only pick one thing. Acting, dancing, and voiceover are all passions for me, and I hope people see that you can chase after all of them if you put your heart into it. I also want kids to look at my journey and think, “If she can do it, then maybe I can too.”

Looking ahead, what are your biggest dreams for the future—whether in acting, dance, or even other passions like cooking and baking?
I have so many dreams, and they keep evolving with me as I grow! For acting, I would love to be in movies or shows that really make people feel something that sticks with them forever. For dance, I want to keep competing and maybe one day make my own routines or even teach other kids how to dance. I also really love cooking and baking, and I think it would be so fun to make a cookbook or have a little bakery where I could share treats with people! I feel like the coolest part is that I can try a lot of different things, keep learning, and see where it all takes me.

Reagan To’s story is still being written—but if her early success is any indication, it’s going to be one filled with brilliance, curiosity, and heart. She embodies the spirit of a new wave of artists who are unafraid to chase multiple dreams at once, proving that versatility is not just a skill—it’s an art form. From Hollywood sets to international dance stages, her voice, movement, and energy carry the promise of a future where representation, creativity, and passion walk hand in hand.

Photography Danielle Herzog @itsdanielleherzog

Words Kyra Greene @noteasybingreen

Make Up Myrlen Monge @myrlenmonge

Hair Aiesha Susan @Aiesha _ Susan

Hair Raining Stylez @rainingstylez

Produced By Kyree L. Frazier @firstsight.Intl