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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)
Due to the fact that she is was born in CANADA, not America, is enough for her to be disqualified from being a so-called "Asian American". Rereading the argument, simply because she does not look blatantly asian or hold an asian sounding last name has legions of a celebrity starved ethnic community in a riot. Yes, there are too few Asians in the media, but there are some emerging, if one would find it. The fact that there should be a seperate category of acceptance of promotional totem-like celebrities within any community that lies outside of talent, work ethic, or even superficial beauty is really quite disgusting. As a casual surfer of the internet, it is distubing to find sites like this particular one encouraging an automatic approbation for any actor or actress simply because of their ethnicity. Dorothy Dandridge was not entirely black, nor the modern Halle Berry, but they both had the support of their community, which gave them strength and helped them inspire people of all races. If the Asian American, Canadian, Brazilian, or whatever, community cannot learn to appreciate all the different types of people who could possibly align themselves as such, as well as continue to fruitlessly mine the rather shallow and narrow field of entertainment for its role models and celebrities rather then find more deserving ones on other areas and professions, the outlook looks bleak for any real power or influence from the asian side, political, cultural or otherwise. That is the tragedy.
disturbed
Sunday, June 02, 2002 at 09:46:30 (PDT)
The mere proposal of your question is disgraceful and right out mean. It is undeniable that Eurasians in part come from Asian bloodline. How can you deny someone of their birthright?
Whether "hapa" are better looking or not isn't the issue here. Perhaps they're esthetically superior to both Asians and Caucasians. One thing I will say is that the bi-racial people whom I've known generally don't have the social hang-ups of either parent race.
To propose that we could claim such individuals is arrogant. To propose that we should disclaim them is irresponsible. Less Asian is still Asian. You can’t write them out because their Asian features are less defined.
However, if your campaign is successful, it will only force multi-racial celebrities to rather align themselves as white. Would that be any better for your cause of bringing Asian Americans into the mainstream? The world is small enough as it is. We should welcome our brethrens with open arms. Especially since it’s the fusion between east and west that has always yielded the finest results.
Kin Lee
unxadm@hotmail.com
Saturday, June 01, 2002 at 09:50:13 (PDT)
what's hapa
SC
none@none.com
Saturday, June 01, 2002 at 08:34:19 (PDT)
to gk:
yeah the asians u see on tv arent that great. there are many more who are alot better looking. also the hapas they put on tv are the better looking ones while the asian ones are not. they should even the field n put prettier asians. yes kristin kreuk is prettier than natalie portman, but that's only one person. i dont think asians are uglier than whites. asians have a totally diff type of beauty. it's not better or worse, it's just diff. hapas are diff too. they have a unique beauty. everyone's the same really. beauty can b found everywhere.
lilywater47
Friday, May 31, 2002 at 22:57:43 (PDT)
to give her a break:
does it really matter if she's "short" or not compared to other actresses? height doesnt matter ir terms of beauty. it depends on the person. and she is petite! she's petite and beautiful. all the actresses u listed are short and beautiful. i agree with ur view on asian stars. give them a break. the asian community is too hypocritical.
lilywater47
Friday, May 31, 2002 at 22:43:43 (PDT)
give her a break:
I totally know what you're saying, but it's not really the point here. the point i see here is not really about cultural thing but physical appearance.
as an asian sometimes i couldn't help but feel sad when people seem to think hapa are the bestlooking among asian race. just take a look at filippino or malaysian or thai tv. the ads feature all hapas...it seems people think they're the best representation for asians, they're the most desirable asians...
the pure asians i've seen on american movies are mostly too average looking, like any random girl you can see in the streets. that's pretty denigrating to asians...while the beautiful full asians are unknown to many people...yeah hapa may have more good looking asians but it doesn't mean they're the prettiest asians. to tell you the truth, I've seen a lot of girls in China, Korea and Vietnam definitely prettier than Kristen Kreuk, and I'm not saying that cos I'm asian and I'm biased against hapa.
It somehow give the impression hapa are true reprsentation of the asian beauty while full asians are not. Do you guys think hapa look better than whites too? do u think Jaymee Ong is hotter than anna kournikova, kristen kreuk is more prettier than Natalie Portman? If you think white don't look better than asians, so do hapa. But if you think otherwise, that caucasians are more beautiful, then i will shut my mouth and won't have anything more to say.
gk
Friday, May 31, 2002 at 09:05:56 (PDT)
SHe's pretty but i disagree with anyone who say there isn't any asian actress who is as pretty as her. why didn't you say i've never seen any white actress who is as pretty as her?
hm..really disappointing
Friday, May 31, 2002 at 03:01:29 (PDT)
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