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| Tess Paras |
BEFORE the recent brouhaha over "whitewashing" of Asian roles because - heaven knows there isn't enough work for downtrodden Euro/American actors - there was (and continues to be) the practice of casting actors of color in stereotypical roles.
RELATED: Asian/Americans decry 'whitewashing' of Asian roles
The dilemma for actors of color is between accepting the roll that perpetuates a racist stereotype because writers are too lazy to go beyond the stereotype and because producers continue to insist on the narrow depiction of people of color from the viewpoint of the dominant Eurocentric culture - or, they could reject the role and die of starvation.
Tess Paras, a Filipina/American actress, depicts this delimma in her delightful video Typecast, a parody of Lorde's "Royal."
Thankfully, Jayma and Josh, portrayed by Fil/Am actor Vincent Rodriguez III, don't speak with Filipino accents. The Chan children are as American as apple pie and mango ice cream.
RELATED: TV's first Filipino/American family debuts on Crazy Ex-GirlfriendParas said she has auditioned for numerous roles that called for accents. In an interview with Glamour, Paras said: "I'm sure I've lost a lot of auditions (where producers are seeking an Asian actress) because I haven't changed my Filipino last name to something that sounds more East Asian, which some Filipino/American actors have done. And I don't look East Asian—Filipinos don't have the same eye shape or facial features. So, 'What's your ethnicity?' is a common question. And I've had casting people ask me if I'm 'full Asian.'"
Let's hope that the musical romantic comedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which got renewed for a second season, will expand Jayma's character and let Paras display her singing and dancing talent.
Have a great weekend!
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