Actress, Producer, industry advocate

Welcome, I’m so happy you stopped by!

I’m Michelle, an AAPI actress, singer, and producer who has been lucky enough to tell stories on screens big and small for more than 20 years. You may have seen me pop up on primetime television, in streaming series, or on the film festival circuit.

The stage is where it all began. From Off-Broadway productions and national tours to some of New York City’s most iconic venues, I’ve sung, danced, laughed, cried, and felt my way through all kinds of beautiful stories.

At the heart of it all, I’m a storyteller. I’m deeply passionate about uplifting narratives that center underrepresented voices and celebrate diversity, inclusion, and the richness of our lived experiences. I believe in the power of representation, and I’m here to bring those stories to life - with heart, humor, and a whole lot of twinkle.

Actress

AND JUST LIKE THAT (HBO Max)

I had so much fun stepping into the role of Alexis in Season 3, Episode 3 of And Just Like That… What a thrill to join the world of such an iconic series and share the screen with one of its stars. From the moment I arrived on set, I felt completely at home—energized, inspired, and ready to play. It was the kind of experience that reminds me how much I love this work, and I’m excited for more opportunities just like it!

Synopsis: The series follows Carrie, Miranda, and Charlotte as they navigate the journey from the complicated reality of life and friendship in their 30s to the even more complicated reality of life and friendship in their 50s.

Episode 3: “Carrie Golightly”

Directed by: Michael Patrick King

sand dollar cove (hallmark)

I had the good fortune to be part of Hallmark’s film adaptation of Sand Dollar Cove, directed by Fred Gerber. It was an incredible experience, and I was especially grateful to be back on set, doing what I love alongside such a warm and talented cast and crew.

Hallmark has created a truly special connection with its audience. Its films reach so many people and offer viewers a sense of warmth, comfort, and community. After the film aired, I was delighted to hear from fans who recognized me and took the time to share how much they enjoyed it. Knowing that our work had reached—and connected with—so many viewers made the experience even more meaningful.

I’m grateful to Fred, Hallmark, and everyone involved for welcoming me into the family. It was a joyful project to be part of, and I would happily return to Sand Dollar Cove—or another corner of the Hallmark world—anytime!

Synopsis: Real estate development project manager Elli is sent by her company to acquire the beachfront property they've chosen as the site of their new resort. Brody, the charming local wants to make sure the town's beloved pier remains intact.

Producer

MAY i TAKE IT YOUR PLATE (INDIE SHORT)

I’m thrilled to share that a film born from a COVID-era collaboration with my husband, Martín Solá, received Best Short Film and Best Actor honors at both the International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival and the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival.

As a producer, I helped guide the project from its earliest stages through completion. That meant developing and managing the budget, assembling the team, coordinating the creative and production departments, organizing schedules, overseeing pre-production, helping solve the inevitable challenges that arose along the way, and making sure everyone had what they needed to do their best work.

Producing taught me how many moving pieces must come together to bring even a short film to life—and how important communication, flexibility, resourcefulness, and trust are throughout the process. Creating independent work during such an uncertain time presented its own unique challenges, but it also reminded us of the power of collaboration and our shared need to keep telling stories.

I’m incredibly proud of what our team accomplished and deeply grateful to the International Puerto Rican Heritage Film Festival, the NYC Downtown Short Film Festival, and every festival that welcomed our film and helped us share this story with audiences. Their support gave our work a life beyond what we could have imagined when we first began.

What started as a deeply personal collaboration became an award-winning project—and a beautiful reminder that creativity and connection can flourish even during the most difficult circumstances.

Synopsis: A whimsical and thought-provoking tale about a struggling artist facing a tough decision—whether to compromise his integrity or pursue an opportunity.

Written & Directed by: Martín Solá

Produced by: Michelle Liu Coughlin

OVER-THRONE (iNDIE sHORT)

The short film OVER-THRONE, which I produced and starred in, premiered as part of the Asian American Film Lab’s 72 Hour Shootout: #IsolationEdition. Created entirely under quarantine with my wonderful collective, The A Team, the project challenged us to discover new ways of collaborating at a time when none of us could be together in the same room.

Producing a film remotely required an entirely different kind of coordination. Every stage of the process—from developing the concept and organizing the schedule to coordinating departments, rehearsing, filming, and sharing footage—had to happen from our individual homes through Zoom and other digital platforms. I worked to keep everyone connected, focused, and supported while ensuring that all the creative and technical pieces came together within the competition’s demanding 72-hour deadline.

Despite the distance and uncertainty surrounding us, we found a way to collaborate, create something wonderful, and continue doing the work we love. The experience reminded me that creativity does not disappear during difficult times—it adapts. Bringing our team together around a shared purpose gave us a much-needed sense of connection, accomplishment, and joy, and genuinely lifted our spirits during an incredibly challenging period.

I’m deeply grateful to the Asian American Film Lab for creating an opportunity for artists to keep telling stories during the pandemic, and to every member of The A Team for bringing such generosity, ingenuity, flexibility, and heart to the process. What we accomplished together—while physically apart—made the experience especially meaningful, and I’m incredibly proud of the film we created.

The film was selected as one of the top 50 films of the festival. It aired on the Christmas episode (S. #13, Ep. #15) of Film Lab Presents on Spectrum TV. The theme?  GOING VIRAL!  #IsolationEdition. 

Union Leader

SAG-AFTRA Elected official

WE DID IT—THANK YOU!

Elected Convention Delegate | SAG-AFTRA New York Local