One day after her arrival in America (from China), Bai Ling found herself on a flight to Los Angeles. Asked whether she would like a beverage, Bai replied, "Yes, I would like to have some potato juice."

Potato juice? "I said yes, potato juice."

Informed that potato juice was not an option, Bai insisted: "No, I had it before," she explained. "The red one? You know, very delicious!"

[When she was 14, Bai was dispatched to join the Chinese People's Army, where she served in the "army entertainments group" for nearly three years.]