Entertainment

It was the year Bill Clinton became President of the United States. The likes of Google and Facebook did not exist. And Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club hit cinemas globally.    

Fast forward to the present, and it’s been nearly 25 years since Hollywood has released an all-Asian leading cast film.

For the brains behind the international best-seller author Kevin Kwan, the pressure of bringing his creation to the silver screen was extremely purposeful.  

When Kevin Kwan wrote his first novel Crazy Rich Asians, he wasn’t setting out to write an ‘Asian’ book -- he was merely telling his own story.  

At first glance, his story could read like any other -- here is a man who had a relatively normal childhood: riding around his neighbourhood on his bike, climbing trees, and attending tutoring classes after school.  

It wasn’t until the Singapore native moved to America that the penny dropped on his unique upbringing.  

Like many Asians working in the Western media, journalist Samantha Lui is passionate about getting diverse stories into the mainstream consciousness – and her own story is one that many Asians who were born in the West can identify with.  

“Other people would always ask if I’m Chinese, and where I was from, and I would always say I’m from Canada, but my parents were born in Hong Kong – so I did struggle with that.”  

Right, so: this NEEDS to be a real thing. 

It's no secret that reality shows like The Bachelor or The Bachelorette have a diversity problem -- and one group that's still very under-represented are Asians. (And the Asians who do get cast don't usually make it very far.)

The latest parody by Wongfu Productions imagines a season of The Bachelorette with many more Asian contestants -- and we're totally here for it. 

In the world of Instagram stars and endless selfies, singer Tanis Chalopin is a breath of fresh air. 

At just 23, the millennial is wise beyond her years, due in large part to her diverse cultural background.  

“My father was born in France. I left Paris when I was three weeks old. I moved to the Bahamas, then went over to Switzerland, then Beijing, then London and now I’m in the US.”  

From Matt Damon to Charlize Theron, some of the biggest stars in Hollywood have all been interviewed by one name Yvette King.   

“I’ve been very, very blessed. I feel very privileged that I have access to speak to people that are so successful and inspiring. I find that the most rewarding part of my job.”  

The E! News Asia host knew from a young age that journalism would be her calling.