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ASIAMS.NET |
ASIAN AMERICAN ISSUES
Kristin Kreuk: Next Asian American Beauty?
t isn't a question of droolworthiness. Her looks are dazzling enough to have locked up a lead role in each of her first three auditions, including the title role in an upcoming TV movie. It's more a question of whether most of us would identify hazel-eyed Smallville heartthrob Lana Lang as a fellow Asian.
Kristin Laura Kreuk was born to a Chinese mother and a Dutch father on December 30, 1982. She grew up in Vancouver, Canada. Kreuk, 5-4, had decided to go to college to study forensic pathology until, in her senior year, her drama teacher suggested she go to an audition for a new Fox Family series called Edgement. She was promptly plucked out of the open audition to play a Chinese Canadian high scool student named Laurel Yeung. Even as she won fans in the role, she landed the Lana Lang role for WB's dramatization of Superboy's life as Clark Kent, then the role of Snow White in the ABC TV movie set for release in 2002. Kreuk's star-quality was obvious to all who tuned in for Smallville's premiere last October. Some even proclaimed her the show's main attraction.
But many Asian American viewers didn't even suspect Kreuk's Asian ancestry. Even those who learned of her mother's nationality questioned whether she can be claimed by Asian Americans. Without an Asian surname or obvious Asian facial features, they argue, Kreuk's success would do nothing for the image of Asians in the American media. Others might argue that most African American stars are, in fact, only fractionally of African descent.
Should we claim Kristin Kreuk and other hapas like her as Asian American celebrities? Or should that designation be reserved for those with a more obviously Asian identity?
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WHAT YOU SAY
[This page is closed to new input. --Ed.]
(Updated
Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 06:00:20 PM)
Excuse me I hate dumbasses too, but you are a prime example of the pot calling the kettle black.
No TRUE or SELF RESPECTING ASIAN AMERICAN would ever stoop so low as to state, to quote your own words, "I don't generally find that all-(any ethnicity) look beautiful/It's all about the right combination." You are basically saying that, by default, pure asians are not as beautiful as those that are mixed. This is exactly what I was referring to in my original post, that hollyweird and mainstream media potrays the ideal asian beauty as one that is half breed, not pure asian. You are just re-inforcing that sick notion.
You are either another white asiaphile who thinks they know everything and anything about asian american affairs (in your own perverted ways), or the prime definition of a sellout fool.
I also never said anything along the likes that it is "despicable" that actors like Keanu and Kristin are considered attractive because they have "white features." Please re-read my post before putting your foot in your mouth (and putting words in MY mouth). I said it's disgraceful that hollyweird considers bi-racial white/asian as the standard of beauty over full blooded asians, and the fact that this extends to many AA communities.
Not fooled by dumb asses
Thursday, February 28, 2002 at 01:00:50 (PST)
I am so disgusted reading this webpage. Kristin Kreuk is half chinese. So, yes she is part Asian-American. What exactly is the argument here??? She doesn't look Asian, so she's not Asian? O jeez! YOU'RE the one stereotyping! Let's point out all the "asian traits." Come on!! I agree with "I hate Dumbasses" completely.
Come on, people. The truth is that we don't have many Asians represented on TV. Just like a time back, Africian Americans were not represented well on TV. Maybe one day, people will give us some recognition. But as of right now, I am happy that Kristen Kreuk is on TV. It's a step.
"Dan", how old are you? 12? ha ha. So, on Smallville, they have interracial relationships and they try to represent several nationalities interacting... hence, they are racist? Jeez! So, you think it would be unracist if they put the Asians together and keep the white people together and the black people together right? Who sounds like a racist here?
Get off it, people. Who cares what color someone is? I'm pure Asian and I am proud of it. But, it would be great when the day comes that people would stop characterizing and critizing people by their race. We're all human and lets start treating each other that way!
Teacher
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 19:30:02 (PST)
GDS-KA:
Is she culturally Asian or not? no one seems to know, eg. huu76 ... interviewers never ask, she never tells. But the point is, judge people on acculturation, not on appearance.
I hate dumbasses:
Best of both worlds implies you can actually function in both worlds. Don't use such phrases just cuz you think someone's ancestry makes them exotic-looking. Dump Keanu in the Chinese countryside and see if he could make it through 24 hours. See my point?
T.H. Lien
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 19:18:56 (PST)
You know what? Kristin Kreuk actually look like some mixed women in Southeast Asian region. surprise surprise.
exotic
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 19:11:43 (PST)
Does she need to scream >>ASIAN<< in order to have her heritage recognized?
Perhaps the WB was disgraceful in making sure to cast Kreuk as living w/an unmistakably White aunt and then giving her character the very subtle last name of "Lang," which until presently most might had heard as "Lane," (as in "Lois")and assumed it was, given the role she portrays.
The Network gave this slight nod towards her ethnicity, but I do not believe they will do more. They are simply reflecting a cultural bias. And the bias is that they do not believe the hero would fall in love w/an obviously Asian leading lady.
Holla if Ya Hear Me...
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 16:14:46 (PST)
well, whether people think she looks white or not is really not something that concerns me. As long as she acknowledges her ethnicity, and other people are made aware, than I am all for her success. Her ambiguous appearance, though from any one ethnic standpoint may seem exotic, also allows her appeal to draw from the distinct features of two ethnically distinctive parent. This has her presenting a look that probably seems more familar to an asian that a white person would, and more familiar to a white person than an asian would.
chinatown
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 16:08:47 (PST)
"Should we claim Kristin Kreuk and other hapas like her as Asian American celebrities? Or should that designation be reserved for those with a more obviously Asian identity?"
Does she want to be white, Asian or a Hapa? I would like to hear her views. Let us give her the choice.
Asian American Male
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 16:08:15 (PST)
In America and Europe Krisitn would considered white and thus given lots of opportunities (as another poster in another board said, if an Asian entered one of those Georgia counties holding her hands, he is liable to be lynched for being with a white woman)...in South Africa she would be colored with no opportunities (at least under the apartheid era, and even now. By the way, there are a lot of Afrikaans and colored Kreuks in South Africa! Some of the colored crooks are dirt poor!). In South East Asia and East Asia she would be a burger (Eurasian)...part Dutch and part Asian. Many East Europeans would consider her a tartar (Mongolian origin). She could be also considered a Latin American from one of those southern cone countries. In Australia, I have no clue as to what she would be considered.
World Traveler
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 16:06:02 (PST)
She is drop-dead sexxxxxxxxxxxxy and gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
chinalova
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 14:45:08 (PST)
To all the people who feel Kristen Kreuk is a white girl: Would you still feel that way if her FATHER was Chinese?? And then she would carry her father's Chinese name. Like I said before,HER RACIAL IDENTITY WOULDN'T EVEN BE AN ISSUE!!!!EVERY ASIAN in here wouldn't even have a problem accepting her as an Asian.
And someone noted that we Asians should only promote "Full Blooded" Asians celebrities. What kinda b.s. talk is that??!! You must be some narrow-minded F.O.B. who belongs in the 60's. This is 2002!!!!!! As minorities, we should try to be more accepting to all our Asian peeps. There is so much tension and division among the different Asian nationalities. And look at the media, who knows when will we ever see positive portrayals of Asians on t.v. We Asians are usually the butt of jokes and we are mocked constantly.(MAD Tv Ms. Swan character) And if some Asians wanna support a mixed Asian celebrity, what's so wrong with that??
what's wrong with u people??!!
Wednesday, February 27, 2002 at 11:38:03 (PST)
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