Meet Olive Zhang

We recently connected with Olive Zhang and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Olive, so excited to talk about all sorts of important topics with you today. The first one we want to jump into is about being the only one in the room – for some that’s being the only person of color or the only non-native English speaker or the only non-MBA, etc Can you talk to us about how you have managed to be successful even when you were the only one in the room that looked like you?

For me, being an artist has always meant making a choice. You can create something people will love, or something you will love. If you choose the first, you live for recognition. If you choose the second, you live for truth. You turn those strange thoughts in your head into something real. You work alone, but that’s where the real magic begins.
I’ve always believed your goals define who you are. You need to know what kind of dream you’re chasing, what risk you’re willing to take, and what you’re ready to gain and lose. When I was younger, I made a promise to give the best years of my youth to myself. For three years, I only worked on projects I truly believed in. I created stage plays, musical comedies, short films, music productions, even works that touched on sensitive themes. Those years were wild and exhausting, but they were also the most alive I’ve ever felt.
During that time, I produced over 25 shows and collaborated with more than a hundred local artists. Most people around me didn’t believe in what I was doing, and that was fine. My goal was simple to make those ideas exist. I took on every role myself: producer, director, writer, editor, designer, promoter. It sounded impossible, but I did it. And through that process, I discovered a kind of energy I never knew I had.

Now I’ve grown past that fearless phase. When you start doing commercial work, the rules change. Success becomes a mix of communication, market awareness, timing, and luck. Creativity still matters, but it’s no longer everything. And that’s okay. I’m not a stubborn artist. I know that staying in this industry means learning to create for others too. Sometimes the work that wins awards isn’t your favorite, but the joy of connecting with people gives it its own kind of beauty.
I still love it. There’s no real difference between pleasing myself and pleasing others. It’s all creation, and it’s still fun. But I truly appreciate the work I created during those three years. I believe that a few years down the line, when I’ve become a mature and successful producer, I will still be moved to tears when I look back at those pieces. Those flawed, naive, and immature works, in my heart, they mean more to me than any award or recognition.
If you’re in a lonely chapter of your life, maybe it’s also your most beautiful one. Be your own warrior. Bloom for yourself , bright, wild, and just long enough to make it unforgettable.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I’m an artist and creative producer working across stage productions, music, short films, and experimental projects. What excites me most is turning ideas from my imagination into something real that people can experience.
Recently, I released a digital concept album called Trumatic Strings, which I wrote and composed myself. It’s available on major platforms like Apple Music etc. For me, creating both for myself and for others is equally rewarding, and I hope my work inspires others to take risks and trust their own ideas.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, three things matter most in life.
First is courage. Life is for experiencing, like a game. If every level was the same, no fun. Being willing to try and face the unknown is everything.
Second is having a goal. A tree only cares if its trunk is healthy and the branches will grow on their own. We just focus on what we want to achieve. The risks and losses along the way are part of the journey. As long as the direction is right, it is worth it.
Third is worthiness. I deserve the best I can reach, but if getting it means losing myself, I will not take it. I want freedom, freedom of soul, freedom of body, and that is what I value most.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?

I’ve always been interested in the connection between struggle and creativity. I used to believe that people often create their most profound work through pain or pressure, which is the theme of my new digital album Trumatic Strings. Many great artists experienced this, like Vincent van Gogh, Sylvia Plath, and Kurt Cobain.
When you feel overwhelmed or sad, try channeling your emotions into creative work. Write a song, a short story, or even just a journal entry. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s to understand and release your feelings. That act alone can be empowering

Contact Info:

• Website: https://oliviazhang.com.au/
• Other: https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/oliviazhang/traumatic-strings