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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, 06:00:09 PM)
about Kristin being "not tall." She's not "short" ppl. 5'4" is a respectable height for a girl of any race. She's taller than other prime time (white) female actress:
"Buffy" 5'3"
"Felicity" 5'3"
"Lucy" on Seventh Heaven 5'3"
"Pru" on Charmed 5'2"
"Phoebe" on Charmed 5'1"
"Paige" on Charmed 5'3"
"Piper" on Charmed 5'0"
"Chloe" on Smallville 5'4"
Most actresses aren't tall:
Madonna 5'4"
Christina Applegate 5'5"
Alicia Silverstone 5'3"
I can go on, but the point is Kristin isn't "petite." She's soooo gorgeous!! from head to toe! and regardless of how *she* identifies herself in terms of race, most people looking at her see a part-asian. Because of this, her positive image reflects positively on us pure Asians.
Why does the Asian community give their own kind so much slack? Who cares if she's not into her roots. It seems that whenver there is a high profile Asian, other Asians watch every move with a microscope and criticizing every step that doesn't seem to serve the asian community. It's like Liu and Hu who are just trying to work but people in the Asian community (usually the men) scrutinize the actress' every move. Just give it a rest. And give Kristin a break. All this endless criticism & hypocrisy from my own people makes me ashamed of my own community..
give her a break
Thursday, May 30, 2002 at 00:52:22 (PDT)
i had no idea that kristen kreuk was part asian..nevertheless part chinese..im chinese..and well i understand that she doesnt want to be under the group "Asian American actor/actress" but why? that's my question. i sometimes feel like i would rather be cauc-asian than chinese...my nephews are half cauc-asian and half chinese...i get jealous at times..and want to be like them but i really never get rid of my identity. I am chinese and i am proud to be chinese.. i mean if i was a superstar..i would be happy to an ASIAN AMERICAN SUPERSTAR!! it's great to see that asian american superstars are sprouting in the United States..i'm happy for that..but i still think that Kristen Kreuk should still say that she is proud to be Asian American! IT'S WHO SHE IS!
~*Samantha*~
Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at 18:11:15 (PDT)
To:Honey Bunches of Oats
Damn you I am not a racist
it's just that many people thinks that chinese can't be as good as any other kind of people so I think that kristen has showed that chinese people can be like any kind of other race
SC
sherrolline@_____.com
Wednesday, May 29, 2002 at 18:06:33 (PDT)
to hello kitty:
actually i think her petiteness makes her more appealing. it makes her appear delicate and enhances her beauty. i dont think her face and body suit a taller physique. she's 5'4" btw. she's not miniscule.
lilywater47
Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at 21:59:46 (PDT)
none of you really have the the right to judge her. yes, she may have made an offensive remark to asians, but thats her choice. everyone is their own person and they can live in any way they please.
what if the reason she chooses to side with her dutch side and not both is maybe she had it hard growing up. "mix" children do have it a little different... ppl stare at them and thus makes them uncomfortable. growing up and not knowing where to fit in is really tough. shes from canada, i know when she was a little girl, most of the kids at school were of european heritage. could it be possible that she befriended more ppl that are caucasion than asian? whos to know except her.
take care and later days
ju veni
Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at 14:11:40 (PDT)
i think she is one of the prettiest actresses i've seen. i thought she was stunning even before i found out that she was half-chinese and half-dutch. being asian myself, finding out that she was half-chinese peaked my interest, a bit. i haven't seen an asian actress who is as pretty as she is. only if she was a little taller...whether she acknowledges her asian heritage or not, i seem to observe a kind of 'reserve' in her acting.
hello_kitty
Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at 10:53:33 (PDT)
She's pretty, but I didn't know she's Asian. Kinda like Keannu Reeves. He's a HAPA from Canada who doesn't acknowedge his Asian-ness right? Correct me if I'm wrong.
Tran W-C
tcunnane73@hotmail.com
Monday, May 27, 2002 at 11:36:52 (PDT)
Kristin Kreuk in interviews has admitted to being half white proudly and profoundly. I wouldn't be surprised if Ms. Kreuk is somewhat in touch with her white side. Most of Vancouver's white population consists of people who immigrated.
So what if Kristin is half Chinese and half Dutch. It doesn't mean that white people are ugly. Probably many different cultures hate golden people. It doesn't matter if she is half white or not.
Who cares if she is white or not. She is who she is and she isn't out there to represent white people in America or Canada. She is just out there to play roles and have fun doing it. Who the hell cares. You girls are so damn racist. Separating yourselves from Asian people. Where is the diversity if you cannot reach out and connect with minorities.
Honey Bunches of Oats
Saturday, May 25, 2002 at 10:32:34 (PDT)
pink-yellow doll:
biracial and bicultural are two different things. Plenty of monoracial people are bicultural - capable of functioning in two cultures. Plenty of biracial people are not.
T.H. Lien
Saturday, May 25, 2002 at 06:16:31 (PDT)
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