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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, 06:00:08 PM)
to gk:
yeah i had a feeling u didnt mean to insult anybody. and yes i agree that the stereotype of asians is way too commonplace. we need more diversity. oh yeah n i meant to say "cross eyed" not "cross eyes". typo.
lilywater47
Wednesday, June 05, 2002 at 19:01:14 (PDT)
I think that she should be considered Asian. Personally I know how she and many others feel out there because I am japanese and puerto rican. My mother is japanese and my father is puerto rican so I received a spanish last name and many ppl dont perceive me to be asian when i am. Whatever you have in you even if it is half you should be considered that race because if it is 50/50 which race do you choose if any??? that is just my thought on that issue.
D1g1tal tHr34t
cvhack@yahoo.com
Wednesday, June 05, 2002 at 16:06:52 (PDT)
lilwater:
I'm sorry. i didn't put it very well. what is disgusting is the narrow field of entertainment, not short people or whatsoever...BY saying that I mean the field of entertainment is disgusting for its narrow-mindedness. I hope you get the gist i'm saying here cos i really don't want you to think i intent on insulting 'cross euyes' people.
gk
Tuesday, June 04, 2002 at 15:06:22 (PDT)
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