Jimmy O. Yang, a stand-up comic and actor celebrated for his roles in 'Silicon Valley' and 'Crazy Rich Asians,' shares his journey in the entertainment industry. He discusses his new Hulu series, 'Interior Chinatown,' which highlights the invisibility faced by Asian Americans. Yang shares personal stories of navigating cultural identity and family dynamics, and how stand-up comedy became a liberating medium for self-expression. He also reflects on the importance of genuine representation in comedy and the challenges of feeling like an outsider.
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From Background to Center Stage
In Interior Chinatown, Jimmy O. Yang's character, Willis Wu, is a background actor who becomes central to a crime story.
This mirrors Yang's own career progression from background roles to starring roles.
insights INSIGHT
Personal Connection to the Story
Jimmy O. Yang felt a strong connection to Interior Chinatown because it resonated with his experience as an Asian American actor.
The story reflected his personal struggle with feeling like an outsider and his journey from background roles to prominence.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Sneaking In
To enter a police station for a case, Yang's character pretends to be a delivery guy, highlighting the show's subversion of stereotypes.
This reflects Yang's own experience of having to "sneak in" to the industry and overcome expectations.
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Directed by Payal Kapadia, 'All We Imagine is Light' follows two nurses on a road trip, delving into themes of connection, intimacy, and the complexities of their lives. The film is notable for being the first Indian film in the Cannes Competition in three decades and has won several awards, including the Grand Prix at Cannes and the Silver Hugo at the Chicago International Film Festival.
How to American
An Immigrant's Guide to Disappointing Your Parents
Jimmy O. Yang
In How to American, Jimmy O. Yang shares his story of growing up as a Chinese immigrant who pursued a Hollywood career against the wishes of his parents. Yang arrived in Los Angeles from Hong Kong at age 13, learned English by watching BET RapCity, and worked as a strip club DJ while pursuing his comedy career. The book chronicles his journey from a frightened youth to a cultural virtuoso, including a near deportation episode and his eventual path to becoming a proud US citizen. It mocks stereotypes and offers tongue-in-cheek advice on pursuing the American dreams of fame, fortune, and strippers.
Interior Chinatown
Charles Yu
In 'Interior Chinatown,' Charles Yu tells the story of Willis Wu, who perceives himself as merely a 'Generic Asian Man' in his own life. Working as a bit player in the fictional police procedural 'Black and White,' Willis dreams of becoming 'Kung Fu Guy,' the most respected role available to someone of his appearance. The novel, written in the format of a screenplay, delves into themes of pop culture, assimilation, and immigration, while critiquing the pervasive stereotypes and racism faced by Asian Americans. As Willis stumbles into the spotlight, he discovers the secret history of Chinatown and the buried legacy of his own family, leading to a profound exploration of identity and the American dream[1][3][5].
In his new Hulu comedy series, Interior Chinatown, Jimmy O. Yang plays a waiter who inadvertently becomes central to a crime story. As an Asian American actor, he says he relates to the character's feeling of invisibility. Yang talks with Ann Marie Baldonado about auditioning for Silicon Valley, working alongside his dad, and feeling like an outsider among other Asians in California.
Also, film critic Justin Chang reviews the Indian movie All We Can Imagine as Light.
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