Kevin, a self described #mid90sbaby comic, forged a different journey based on his experience growing up in the cultural hub of Western Sydney. Raised as the baby of three boys in a determinedly ethnic enclave, the discipline that his mother, a refugee, imbued him with has produced within him profound stores of grit and heart. Kevin reflects on his childhood, describing his family as “new types of people” who found strength in their shared experiences amidst the challenges of migration.
Unlike many of his peers, Kevin was raised in a largely white community that insulated him from the realities of racism. This completely contradicted the rich multicultural environment he experienced in high school. In his early upbringing, everyone surrounding him, the teachers and mentors all looked like him and that created a strong sense of belonging. He states, “Everyone I knew was Asian. We very much grew up in Pauline Hanson’s nightmare.” This comforting environment freed him to cultivate a fierce identity safe from the crushing weight of bias.
A Life in Television and Comedy
Leaving racism and homophobia behind, in his journey of self-discovery and self-expression, Kevin eventually found solace in the world of television. He invested many thousands of hours studying the minute details of television. This was both an opportunity for him to escape and learn English. Chinese was the dominant spoken language in his community, so television became the only outlet he had for learning a new language.
He recalls this period fondly, saying, “I felt fine about my identity in my childhood.” As a young man, he found his voice through humor. Then he started learning how photographers and videographers use it to connect, engage and tell great stories. Kevin went on to have a hugely successful career in comedy and often credits his upbringing for the unique perspective he brought into the world of comedy.
“I’m not saying that’s the only way to reach funny, but it’s the way I’ve reached it.” – Kevin
Kevin co-created a nationally deployed one-hour TV comedy pilot titled “Westerners,” which he further describes as his ultimate “dream come true” project. The series aims to highlight the experiences and perspectives of migrants calling Australia home. It shines a spotlight on stories that are too often neglected by the corporate media. He asserts that “people actually want my perspective and nobody knows my perspective on being a migrant living here better than me.”
Overcoming Adversity and Embracing Pride
Yet Kevin’s path to success has not been easy. He unflinchingly shares that his family was some of the people living below the poverty line. To benefit from it, they were frequently forced to wait years for public housing. That unique backdrop of adversity gave him a heart of grit and perseverance to succeed.
“I come from poverty … nothing was handed to me,” – Kevin
Though it has been difficult to navigate through these challenges, the pride that Kevin has for his talent and accomplishments definitely shines through. He makes it clear that humor is what’s gotten him through more than anything else. It gives him the tools to become the architect of his own destiny.
“I feel very much that I am the master of my own destiny.” – Kevin
His story is an inspiration to countless others with such stories as migrants and refugees building new lives in Australia. Through his comedy, he works to push forward diaspora storytelling. His larger aim is to broaden how we all see different identities in the Australian environment.
The Importance of Representation
Kevin’s win is a reminder of how important representation is across all media and entertainment platforms. In so doing, he creates a space for his story. Alongside these personal slights, Garcia Seeco embodies and honors the weight of the responsibility he carries to elevate other voices within the migrant community.
That desire for more visibility is what motivates artists, like Kevin, to build these platforms to tell our stories in authentic ways. In doing so, they not only entertain but educate audiences about the rich tapestry of cultures that make up contemporary Australia.
