After graduating from Brea Olinda High School, Cheng attended Stanford University and received a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
His focus was initially on a career in law, and he studied political philosophy at Oxford University for his junior year abroad in England.
Cheng directed Steps for Banana Republic and Vanity Fair as part of his Film Independent Project:Involve fellowship.
Prior to that, Cheng directed Mrs. C, a political satire starring Niecy Nash, to help the Obama campaign during the 2008 presidential primary.
Cheng lives in West Hollywood, California, and delivers every Friday for Project Angel Food.