Yahoo Lifestyle Joan Chen on the State of AAPI Storytelling in Hollywood: ‘The Progress We Have Made Is Worth Celebrating’
Joan Chen is finally getting her flowers.
At the Critics Choice Association Celebration of AAPI Cinema and Television, Chen received a standing ovation as she accepted the career achievement award.
More from Variety
Critics Choice Awards 2025 Voters' Guide: November and December TV Releases Could Shake Up the Race
'Queer Eye' Star Antoni Porowski Named World Food Programme Goodwill Ambassador (EXCLUSIVE)
The Lede Company's Brendan Ordonez and Emma Parker to Head New Events Division
Chen, who was recognized for her work on “Twin Peaks,” and “The Last Emperor,” stars in Sean Wang’s “Didi.” She had received glowing reviews for her performance as Chunsing Wang in the coming-of-age story. The actress told the audience, “This film has brought me more recognition than I ever received for ‘The Last Emperor,'” she said referring to the 1987 film which made her a Hollywood star.
During her speech, Chen stressed the importance of diverse storytelling and how she has begun to see “more Asian faces on screen.” She added, “It took Hollywood quite a long time to come to the realization that diversity is our great unique strength and beauty. The progress that we have made is worth celebrating.”
Among the other honorees were “Squid Game’s” Lee Jung-jae. Jung-jae wasn’t on hand to accept the award and sent in a video message from Korea, where he is currently working. Comedian and actor Ronny Chieng was presented with the comedy award for Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show.” “Anora” producer Samantha Quan was given the producer award. Actress Dolly de Leon received the supporting actress award, Utkarsh Ambudkar was recognized for his work on CBS’ “Ghosts,” Ken Leung was earned the supporting actor award, and the team behind “Moana 2,” directors David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller and producers Christina Chen and Yvett Merino, were also lauded.
Representation and the power of diverse storytelling were on everyone’s mind.
De Leon, who shot to attention following her role as Abigail in “Triangle of Sadness,” had flown in from Manila, Philippines, to accept the supporting actress award for her part in “Ghostlight.” She dedicated her award to “all talented actors, writers, directors, creatives who have worked tirelessly to bring our stories to life in a world that often tries to box us in.” De Leon echoed Chen’s words about the progress of AAPI representation on screen. She said, “We’re breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes and redefining what it means to be seen on screen, especially for me as a Filipina, I feel so honored that I’m here representing, and there are so many Filipinos in this room.”
Representation was also an important factor for comedian and actor Jimmy O. Yang, who stars in Hulu’s new series “Interior Chinatown.” Yang talked about not getting callbacks after appearing in Marvel’s “Agents of SHIELD.” “Chinese Teenager #1 felt like a breakthrough for me,” Yang said. He went on to appear in “Silicon Valley” and starred as Bernard Tai in “Crazy Rich Asians. “When I first started, every role felt like a breakout to me,” he said.
Yang praised the talent in the room and the storytellers in the audience. “Hopefully, what we do here and what we’ve been doing, gives the younger generation something to say to their parents. When their parents tell them, ‘Hey, you don’t see nobody on TV like you, now they can say, ‘Hey, we’ve seen Dolly, we’ve seen Ronnie, we see me.” Yang concluded by telling the audience to “keep telling your story, because they matter and they’re important.”
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
