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ML40 65-80 - ALT_Layout 1 9/26/13 8:53 PM Page 77 PEOPLE movies to come, but not in the first one," Gao explained. "The first is just an introduction to my character, so it develops more in the second and third movie. My character develops a relationship with Alec Lightwood, and there will be a kissing scene..." Other than being irresistible to both women and men, the actor said the two share something else in common. "Bane likes to throw parties and I like to throw parties where I invite people over and cook for them… Just being a host…I like that," he said. "Having family and friends around you, it's something special. It lets you relax, loosen up, and I enjoy cooking and baking." Gao was first considered for the role after it was decided that Magnus Bane would be Asian in the film adaptation. The casting agents had a long list of Asian superstars that they were interested in and Gao was one of them. The actor was shooting a film in Shanghai, at the time, so he couldn't come to L.A. to audition, but was allowed to submit a video. After a next-round call with director Harald Zwart over Skype, he was awarded the highly-coveted role. "I was really surprised, but it was the perfect opportunity for me to come to Hollywood," Gao said. "It was one of my goals to work in Hollywood and to become a bigger name here. Hopefully it'll make me a bigger name in Asia, as well." He also hopes that more interesting roles like this increase for him and his contemporaries. "I want to break that stereotype --that Asians don't have to play an Asian guy who talks funny, with that accent," the actor said. "I want to break into regular roles, like your college buddy from back home who you grew up with, where they speak English the way you do, grow up the way you do… I definitely want to bring that side into the film business." The 28-year-old was born in Taiwan and relocated with his family to Vancouver, Canada at the age of nine. In 2005, Gao returned to his native country, where his good looks earned him plenty of attention early on. "Everyone thought I was a basketball player, so I would get a lot of looks," he remembered. A famous TV producer from a local station discovered Gao while he was there visiting friends. Gao was introduced to the producer's wife, who began managing him. His first role, playing a Chinese-American who moves back home, was a major one on a popular TV show. As his fame grew and his acting improved, so did the modeling requests, endorsement deals (Phillips Fast Power Touch Shaver and Audi cars), and film offers. "I've just shot three TV dramas as a leading role in China, so I've had some experience there and this is my first movie here in Hollywood," Gao said. "I still have to take performance classes, acting classes, and accent classes to be more familiar with the Hollywood scene and the way people act here; so I've got a lot to learn and am really excited to have this door open for me. Hopefully, I can get more roles and will be going back and forth from L.A. to Taiwan." He added that as soon as he becomes Hollywood famous, he intends to visit Miami. "I've never been, but I've always wanted to go," the actor said. "I'm a very big Heat fan and I would love to watch a game. Hopefully, I can go to Miami for a shoot or shoot a movie there and get to live Miami-style, rent a yacht, have parties -- I really want that. Hopefully I can come and have a taste of that Miami living." ML MIAMI LIVING 77