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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, 06:00:10 PM)
TOTALLY RIGHT TOM! She's no Asian-American. She's an Asio-Canadutch-girl!! But HOT HOT HOT nonetheless!!!
Beavis
Sunday, May 12, 2002 at 03:03:44 (PDT)
to half corean gal: yeah breaking stereotypes are a definite plus. I agree about the small step thing. no publicity is bad publicity in other words.
lilywater47
Thursday, May 09, 2002 at 23:02:15 (PDT)
Last I checked, Canada is on the NORTH AMERICAN Continent. Black residents of Canada often say they're African-American. So Kristin can be rightfully identified as Asian American
There are THREE Countries in NORTH AMERICA!!!
Thursday, May 09, 2002 at 12:33:31 (PDT)
I think Kristin looks asian or at least "mixed asian". Although she isn't full asian, and not even american, I'd have to say that when unsuspecting non-asians find out her true ethnicity it is a definate plus for asians. This is a small but "right" step in the direction for AAs in having the recognition that we come in every color, shape, and size and every walk of life --instead of only being scientists & mathematicians or restaurant & convenience store owners. This positive step will help to smash the sterotype that many non-asians (and asians) have in their minds of what asians look like.
Half Corean Gal
stlgirl2@yahoo.com
Thursday, May 09, 2002 at 09:55:10 (PDT)
to try and look beyond the stereotypes: yeah people really do do this. "It reminds me of what many Asian people regularly do: whenever they see a pretty Asian person, they think she's mixed." i dont really know why. there are alot of pretty fully asian people out there. hapas just have this reputation for beauty. yeah some are, but they can be very unattractive like everyone else (tho kirsitn isnt such a great example).
lilywater47
Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 16:25:55 (PDT)
All i gotta say is YES, she is fine...but when did someone that is half chinese and half dutch, and from canada become an asian-american?
Tom
Tuesday, May 07, 2002 at 01:05:21 (PDT)
I think she should deserve asian american designation.
Christen
charmedone_12@hotmail.com
Monday, May 06, 2002 at 18:17:33 (PDT)
Many people who can't see the Asian features in Kristin have simply internalized the Asian stereotypes. They're too busy looking for stereotypical Asian features to see reality. It reminds me of what many Asian people regularly do: whenever they see a pretty Asian person, they think she's mixed.
Kristin totally looks part Asian!
Keep in mind many full-blooded Asians don't have "typical" Asian features you see in American movies. Some Asians have light skin, thin nose, freckles, shapely body, round eyes, etc.
try and look beyond stereotypes please
Monday, May 06, 2002 at 17:34:08 (PDT)
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