Inclusive Media Initiative Creator Q&A: Drex Lee
Pixability’s Inclusive Media Initiative amplifies the voices of diverse creators, fostering representation and connection across digital media. By showcasing YouTube creators from varied backgrounds and identities, we aim to challenge stereotypes and celebrate inclusivity.
What does it mean to tell stories that move people, not just across a screen, but across time, culture, and community? For Asian-American filmmaker Drex Lee, identity isn’t a footnote, it’s the foundation. With over 4.8 million YouTube subscribers and a signature style built on cinematic one-shots and emotional depth, Drex has redefined what it means to create with intention. Whether he’s shooting with a smartphone or directing for legends like Jackie Chan, his work proves that bold vision doesn’t need blockbuster budgets—just heart, hustle, and heritage.
In honor of AANHPI Heritage Month, we sat down with Drex to talk about visibility, vulnerability, and why the most powerful stories often begin in the margins. This isn’t just content—it’s culture in motion.
Theresa: How do you identify within the AANHPI community, and how has that identity shaped your creative voice as a storyteller and filmmaker?
Drex: As an Asian-American, my identity isn’t just a background—it’s the lens I see the world through. Growing up, I didn’t see many people who looked like me behind the camera or in front of it telling stories that hit you in the heart. So I started telling my own. That’s why my work blends emotion, motion, and meaning. It’s not about repping a label—it’s about repping the people who never got a chance to see themselves in the spotlight.
Theresa: Your content blends beautiful people, fast cars and cinematic storytelling, often shot entirely on your phone. How did you get started as a creator in this niche?
Drex: I started with nothing but a point and shoot camera. No fancy gear, no crew—just vision. I loved movies growing up, but I couldn’t afford big fancy cameras or a Steadicam. So I figured out how to make any camera feel like a Hollywood rig, including phones. I’ve always been a fan of the cinematic long takes, but I wanted to take it to the next level. That became my style: epic 1-shots, high energy, high emotion, zero excuses. If it moves you, it’s cinematic—no matter what you shoot it on.
Theresa: Your recent partnership with The Karate Kid and Jackie Chan was incredible—congrats! What was it like to work on a project with such deep cultural and personal significance?
Drex: Man… it was surreal. I grew up watching Jackie. He was more than just an action star—he was one of the only Asian faces on screen showing the world our strength, humor, and heart. So to direct a piece with him? It was full circle. Every shot I filmed was like saying thank you—not just to Jackie, but to every elder and every kid who never stopped fighting for a seat at the table.
Theresa: How do you approach branded storytelling in a way that stays true to your emotional tone and artistic integrity, even when working with massive names like Sony or Jackie Chan?
Drex: I don’t change the story to fit the brand—I bring the brand into my world. I tell every partner up front: if you want me, you’re not just getting content—you’re getting cinema with soul. Whether it’s Sony, Samsung, or a legacy name like Jackie, I always start with why the story matters. Emotion first. Gear second.
Theresa: Do you have any tips for emerging creators—especially AANHPI youth—who want to express big stories with limited resources?
Drex: Yes: start messy, start now. Don’t wait for the perfect gear or permission. If you’ve got a phone, you’ve got a paintbrush. Use what’s in your hands to show what’s in your heart. And don’t be afraid to take up space. Your voice is already powerful—you just gotta press record.
Theresa: How has your experience as an Asian-American man informed the kinds of stories you choose to tell—or how you choose to tell them?
Drex: It’s the reason I tell underdog stories. Stories that feel quiet at first but hit loud when you least expect it. I’m drawn to duality—beauty and pain, joy and struggle. As an Asian-American, I’ve lived between cultures, between expectations. That space in-between? That’s where my best stories are born.
Theresa: What does the perfect brand sponsorship look like for you?
Drex: Creative freedom. Emotional storytelling. Mutual respect. The perfect sponsorship is when a brand says, “We trust your vision—go tell it your way.” That’s when the content doesn’t feel like an ad—it feels like a film. I don’t just want to sell a product—I want to move people.
Theresa: What do you hope audiences take away from your work—not just as content, but as a reflection of identity and emotion?
Drex: I want people to feel something real. To realize that everyday moments—whether it’s riding in a car with friends or chasing your dream—can be epic when told right. I want Asian faces, immigrant stories, outsider voices to be seen not as niche—but as cinematic universals.
Theresa: What does AANHPI Heritage Month mean to you personally, and how do you hope others will engage with it through your work or lens?
Drex: To me, AANHPI Heritage Month is a spotlight—but more than that, it’s a loudspeaker. It’s a moment where our stories echo a little louder, reach a little farther. I hope people don’t just celebrate the culture—they listen to it, learn from it, and carry it forward. My work is my love letter to the people who paved the way—and the ones still rising.
Theresa: What’s one myth or misconception about AANHPI identity that you hope your content helps to shift or break open?
Drex: That we’re quiet, that we stay behind the scenes, that our stories don’t move crowds. Wrong. We’re bold, we’re creators, we’re dreamers. We don’t just belong in the frame—we are the frame.
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