Claire Juliana Lanay was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, to Vietnamese immigrant parents. Her father, a mathematics professor, served as a soldier in the Vietnam War before becoming a pastor, while her mother, a translator at the US Embassy in Saigon, later owned a beauty salon in Hawaii. Both parents retired from long careers in nursing and geriatric care.
Claire's life has been marked by transition, upheaval, and adaptation, as she moved to various locations, including Hesston, Kansas, Eugene, Oregon, Chicago, Illinois, Los Angeles, California, and Atlanta, Georgia, at an early age.
Throughout her journey, Claire has worked a diverse range of "survival jobs," including hotel auditor, graveyard shift security and medical alarm dispatching, call center concierge, property management admin, law firm receptionist, talent agency intern, Directors Guild of America residuals processor, strip club cashier, and auto parts delivery driver.
When reflecting on her experiences, Claire emphasizes the importance of making sacrifices and taking unconventional paths to achieve her goals, stating, "Sacrifices have to be made and sometimes you gotta do some crazy shit in order to get to where you want to be." She also believes that it is crucial to challenge stereotypes and create more nuanced and empowering roles for women, particularly those from diverse ethnic backgrounds.
Claire has had recurring roles on TV shows such as "The Resident" on FOX and "Sistas" on BET, and has appeared in two projects by acclaimed director Ava DuVernay, including "Naomi" on The CW and "DMZ" on HBO Max, opposite Rosario Dawson.
