Since the arrival of Asian immigrants to the United States, Asian Americans have been involved in the entertainment industry. However, they still lacked proper representation, and only in recent years have Asian Americans broken through barriers to create a rise of their voices within film, television, music, and more.
In the past, Asian-American figures such as Anna May Wong were able to carve a path to show that it was possible for Asian-American actors and actresses to find success in the American entertainment industry. Yet, this breakthrough did not immediately translate into a more equal representation of Asian Americans within the entertainment industry.
As the 21st century shifted closer, Asian American involvement in entertainment became more prominent, with famous stars like Bruce Lee and Pat Morita rising to fame. As time passed, more Asian-American figures began popping up within the industry, beginning to create a more equal atmosphere. During this time, the American film industry produced its first movie, “The Joy Luck Club,” featuring a majority Asian cast, which was a huge step forward in increasing Asian-American representation in the film industry.
In the 21st century, a variety of Asian-American figures began popping up, with names such as Mindy Kaling, Aziz Ansari, BD Wong, Brenda Song, Ken Jeong, and many more. What’s more, 2015-2020 sitcom Fresh Off the Boat, 2018 film Crazy Rich Asians, and 2021 film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings were a part of a wave of movies with mostly Asian-American casts, signifying a rise to the next level of Asian-American involvement in the entertainment industry.
While the American entertainment industry is heading toward the right direction in that they Asian-American representation is more prevalent. However, these improvements are still not enough, with the percentage of Asian-Americans in lead roles remaining unsettling low. As the United States strives to become more diverse and representative, it is pivotal that Asian Americans become more represented within the entertainment industry.