TGIF Feature: Constance Wu hopes that Asian Americans can be heroes of their own stories

AS PART OF THE BUILD-UP to the highly anticipated Aug. 15 release of the movie Crazy Rich Asians, three of the movie's stars along with the director Jon M. Chu graced the cover of The Hollywood Reporter Monday (Aug. 1).

Inside the tabloid is a great story of how the creators of the movie, based on the best-selling novel of Kevin Kwan, turned down a huge financial offer from Netflix to go with Warner Brothers in order to ensure that film would reach the widest movie-going audience.

The director, the author and the movie's actors are making the rounds of interviews to promote the film, the first Hollywood studio product in 25 years to feature an all-Asian and Asian American cast.

The same day Chu and three of the film's stars -- Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh and Henry Golding -- appeared on the cover of the movie industry tabloid, Wu tweeted a powerful message

"My dear friend Ava DuVernay says, 'I work in an industry that really has no regard for my voice and the voice of people like me and so, what do I do? Keep knocking on that door or build your own house?'" Wu said.

"My dear Asian American friends, we are building our own damn houses. We got the tools, the ability and we definitely got the style."

She added: "I hope Asian American kids watch Crazy Rich Asians and realise they can be the heroes of their own stories.

"I know Crazy Rich Asians won't represent every Asian-American. So for those who don't feel seen, I hope there is a story you find soon that does represent you. I am rooting for you," said Wu, who also stars in ABC's Fresh Off the Boat, partially based on Eddie Huang's memoir,

DIOKNO / ASAM NEWS 

Constance Wu stars in 'Crazy Rich Asians' and ABC's 'Fresh Off the Boat.'

Here is Wu's entire tweet:

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Hollywood Reporter: Actor Daniel Dae Kim's latest role is behind the camera

Daniel Dae Kim, actor AND producer

AFTER HIS CONTROVERSIAL departure from CBS hit Hawaii Five-0, actor Daniel Dae Kim has fallen into the role of being the poster child of the racial inequities that exist in the world's entertainment capitol, whether it be in casting or in Hollywood's creative decision-making process.

In his latest Q&A with The Hollywood Reporter, he touches on his successful series produced by his production company The Good Doctor and how it has become a vehicle for his beliefs; and his role as Hellboy's Major Ben Daimo, the first Asian/American comic book superhero to be depicted on the big screen. 

The Hollywood Reporter spoke to Kim about what it means to play an Asian/American superhero, his goals as a producer, and the aftermath of his taking a stand on salary parity

"I ... think it's really important that all of us do something to participate. It's easy to point fingers and say well, it's because of this, that. To get involved in the nitty-gritty is sometimes a daunting task, but a necessary one.

"Something I often say is, I stand on the shoulders of the people who came before [me], and I’m ready to lift up people to stand on my shoulders. And one of the ways we can do that is to hire them. And that’s why it was so important for me to be a job creator, because there is no substitute for on-the-job experience," Kim said.

"A lot of us, and I can tell you from experience, just didn’t have the kind of opportunity it required to get better at the same rate as others.

"So it’s really important to me to create those opportunities," Kim continued. "And as a producer, I think The Good Doctor shows that I’m not in it to create roles for myself, although I won’t rule that out, but it’s not my primary focus."

To read the entire interview, click here.

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Hollywood Reporter: AAPI celebrities most popular on social media

Dwayne Johnson maintains a close connection with his fans through social media

ASIAN AMERICANS and Pacific Islander celebrities lead The Hollywood Reporter's Top Actors chart for a third week and regained the No. 1 spot for Top TV Personalities.

Samoan/American actor Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson maintains his popularity in social media and Korean/American Joanna Gaines of HGTV's Fixer Upper kept her crown among  TV personalities.

The Top Actors and Top TV Personalities charts are a ranking of the most popular actors on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Google Plus, with global data provided by social media analytics company MVPindex. The chart's methodology blends social engagement on the platforms along with weekly additions of followers/subscribers. The latest tracking week ended July 11.

Priyanka Chopra, Gal Gadot, Kevin Hart and Hugh Jackman also vault into the top 10, behind Johnson and Zendaya, who remain at Nos. 1 and 2, respectively. Filipino/Canadian  actress Shay Mitchell moved to the No. 4 spot.

See the top 5 below (and for the full 25-position chart, check out the Hollywood Reporter issue dated July 12), and for more charts on The Hollywood Reporter, check out the Top Comedians and Top TV Personalities charts.

1. Dwayne Johnson

2. Zendaya

3. Priyanka Chopra

4. Shay Mitchell

5. Jennifer Lopez

After leading the inaugural Top TV Personalities chart on The Hollywood Reporter, Joanna Gaines returns to No. 1 for a second week overall.

Gaines takes over the top spot from Tyra Banks, who had led the previous two weeks. Meanwhile, Anthony Bourdain and Anderson Cooper both enter the top 10.

Social media has emerged as a new way to promote films and TV programs and events. It allows people like Johnson and Gaines to promote their products and reach out to an audience in a more intimate and direct manner.

Johnson, for example, a former professional wrestler, has a fan base all over the globe—evident from his 45.6 million Instagram followers and 54.6 million Facebook fans. 

He has a personal relationship with his followers. The actor, who is part African/American and part Samoan, is only happy to share glimpses into his own life, such as the birth of his new daughter, with his fans, making him all the more three-dimensional and ‘lifelike’ to loyal followers.

Johnson is not the best actor nor does he appear in Oscar-worthy projects, but he wholly accepts his role in Hollywood. He’s happy making popular movies, “popcorn flicks” if you will, that his fans will enjoy, and he knows exactly how to sell them.

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