Karen Tep

Cambodian American actress, model, and activist Karen Tep was born on March 28th 1982 near Washington DC to refugee parents. Karen Tep's mother and father attempted to build a better life in the Washington DC area after fleeing Cambodia and barely escaping the genocide of the brutal Khmer Rouge Regime. The stress and unfamiliarity of American ways, customs, and their past took a toll on the migrant family, and throughout her childhood Karen found herself bearing the brunt of her parents' rage and suffering. During her adolescence, Karen Tep struggled to find a cultural niche, until 2000 when she graduated high school and declared emancipation from her parents. She quickly learned the hard way that success would only come if she grabbed life by the horns and steered in the direction of her dreams. After gaining understanding of her nurturing and compassionate side Karen Tep graduated college with a degree in nursing. In 2006, having a solid education under her belt, Karen Tep decided