Ming-Na Wen has played everything from a doctor to a Disney Princess, a Street Fighter, and a secret agent. But, according to the actress, her most challenging role to date has been something else entirely. We were lucky enough to sit down with Ming-Na at Heroes and Villains Fan Fest, Portland. Read on to learn more about the actress as she answers our 5 Deep Questions!

1. Do you believe in God?
   I do. I believe in my own God. I also believe in The Force.
2. What do you think happens when you die?
   Being Buddhist, I do believe we are reincarnated. Our spirit goes back into the celestial forces and we come back based on how well we’ve treated others — whether we come back better or in worse forms.
3. What were you like in high school?
   I was a nerd! I was president of my science fiction club. Doesn’t get any nerdier than that. I took Latin — that’s pretty nerdy. And theater. I was a trainer for our football team. I got into the boy’s locker room that way, ha! I loved being in high school. I had a boyfriend all through high school. I was friends with all different kids in different clubs. A floater!
4. Of the following, which has been your most challenging role to date: Mulan, Dr. Chen from ER, Melinda May from Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., or Female Actress in Hollywood?
   Of those four, I think the most challenging is being an Asian, female actress in Hollywood. There’s a lot of pitfalls, and of course right now, there’s a lot of awareness about what women in this business have to deal with. But I feel like that’s true in any field or industry. Hollywood just seems to magnify those issues more because we have the voice and the platform to do it. I’m very grateful for it. Because certainly, those were challenges that–being an Asian woman–that I have had to deal with as well. But I’m a New Yorker too, and I will definitely choose my dignity over my career any day. And I’ll beat the crap out of you. That’s the Agent May in me!
   It has gotten better for Asian women in Hollywood. There are still limited roles, but there’s definitely a much greater forum. If you look at the Oscars or the Emmys, they are still very white, with a splattering of African Americans and maybe one token Asian. So there’s still work to do.
5. If you could go through terrigenesis, what power would you like (not that Melinda May needs any super powers!)?
   This season, it would be great if she had the power to heal. It’s not a cool power, but it’s definitely one I’d love to have.