Fan Casting Aria Chen in The Distance Between Us (An Untitled Lily Chee Film)

Aria grew up in a small Queens apartment with her mother, Mei Chen, and younger sister, Mia. Their father left when Aria was ten, leaving Mei to work multiple jobs while Aria took on a semi-parental role. She learned to be strong, composed, and self-reliant — traits that helped her navigate New York’s acting world. But beneath her calm exterior lies fear: fear of being forgotten, of failing, of not being enough. At 18, Aria began attending open casting calls while working part-time in a café. When she finally got a role in a small student film, it reignited her dream. However, her rising fame distanced her from Mia, as success came with constant pressure and social scrutiny. Her relationships have always been short-lived — partly because she gives so much to others that she forgets herself. Ethan challenges her to see love as partnership, not dependence.