A restless soul gave up comfort and security to seek out her favorite painter’s place of refuge.
ISSUE: SUMMER 2011
DEPT: CULTURAL COLLAGE
PHOTOS: ELIZABETH KIM
This past winter, I gave my two weeks notice, sold most of my belongings, packed up what was left in my VW hatchback, and drove straight out of Los Angeles. I traded my enviable job, comfortable apartment and a city full of friends for some time on the road.
Every woman’s face or body has a different story to tell. We may be bombarded by the mainstream media’s message of what beautiful is supposed to be, but we know that beauty comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Here, an Asian American woman proves it.
ISSUE: Summer 2011
DEPT: Features
STORY: Janice Jann
PHOTOS: Melly Lee
HAIR & MAKEUP: Joyce Luck and assistant Natalie Herrera for JLS
{ IRIS }
“When I hit puberty, it just … developed,” says Iris Chan. “No one knew where it came from.”
Yes, it’s what you’re thinking. At 5-foot-2-inches and a size 32DD, Iris is one lady who fills out a dress very well. While many Asian American figures lean more petite or lanky, Iris’ curves set her apart. But it wasn’t always a good difference.
“It was awkward growing up,” she says. “When I was a teenager, guys would make derogatory remarks and make me feel uncomfortable. Now, whatever attention I get, I feel it’s like the Asian porn star fetish thing.”
Iris used to try to detract from her hourglass figure with tattoos, by dyeing her hair purple and dressing “bohemian,” she says. But the 32-year- old’s since accepted that she’ll never look like the waify models she sees in magazines. Now, Iris dresses in well-fitting attire that complements her shape without being provocative.
“It’s a fine line,” she says. “Sometimes you get it wrong, sometimes you get it right.”
– Janice Jann
Joz is one of nine women Audrey featured in its Body of Quirks feature. Check out more stories here.
Purchase the Summer issue of Audrey Magazine here.
“Making someone laugh is the best. Laughter is the best medicine in the world.” — Dilshad Vadsaria
ISSUE: Summer 2011
DEPT: Personalities
STORY: Jennifer Chen
Greek actress Dilshad Vadsaria aims to please in the summer comedy 30 Minutes or Less.
For a girl whose first name means “happy heart,” Dilshad Vadsaria knows how to deliver one-line zingers.
And audiences will get a chance to see her do so as she made her film debut in 30 Minutes or Less this past August, playing fellow South Asian American Aziz Ansari’s sister and Jesse Eisenberg’s love interest, along with funny men Nick Swardson and Danny McBride.
Was Vadsaria, fresh from her role as Rebecca Logan (Becks, to fans) on ABC Family’s hit show Greek, intimidated to be working with such a funny cast of characters for her very first film role? No, she was too busy flying back and forth from Los Angeles to Michigan, shooting the final season of Greek and
filming her first scenes with Eisenberg. “There wasn’t time to think about it,” she says. But she did love every minute of it, especially since Kate, her 30 Minutes character, is the polar opposite of wealthy sorority girl Rebecca. As Vadsaria puts it, “Rebecca is filthy rich and has a jet. Kate, on the other hand, is working her way up and pursuing a career.”
It’s something Vadsaria could probably relate to. Born in Pakistan, Vadsaria decided to pursue a career in acting despite her parents’ desire that she become a doctor. So instead of telling her family she was taking acting classes in New York City, she told them she was “looking for a job.” After landing a starring role in Greek, she finally admitted she was moving to Los Angeles to be an actress. It was her first acting job, playing the girl everybody loved to hate. “I like to say she is misunderstood,” quips Vadsaria.
From teenage angst to grownup comedy, Vadsaria learned a new skill set watching her 30 Minutes comedian castmates on set — improv. “I couldn’t stop laughing,” she says. “Coming from TV where you have to stick to the script, here these guys were, throwing stuff in. It was so cool.” For this would-be doctor turned actress, Vadsaria has already learned what no degree can bestow: “Making someone laugh is the best. Laughter is the best medicine in the world.”
— Jennifer Chen
More stories from Audrey Magazine’s Archives here.
Every woman’s face or body has a different story to tell. We may be bombarded by the mainstream media’s message of what beautiful is supposed to be, but we know that beauty comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Here, an Asian American woman proves it.
ISSUE: Summer 2011
DEPT: Features
STORY: Janice Jann
PHOTOS: Melly Lee
HAIR & MAKEUP: Joyce Luck and assistant Natalie Herrera for JLS
– Janice Jann
{ NEHA }
America may be all about the sun-kissed, golden complexion, but for some Asian American women, paler is better.
“Fairer is regarded in higher regard,” says Indian American Neha Shah, whose family honed in on her naturally darker skin tone and told her to keep out of the sun. But Neha, a former track runner, always wanted to go outside as a kid so avoiding a tan was tough — not that she didn’t try. “I used to put on SPF 75 sun block to stay fair,” she remembers. “I would go on [beach vacations] and be under an umbrella and a towel.”
Today, the 32-year-old embraces her gorgeous skin color. “I’m over it,” she says. “You know what? When I get under the sun, I look golden.” And she’s optimistic about Hollywood’s portrayals of Indian Americans of all skin tones. Though she recognizes that there’s still not enough darker-skinned South Asian actresses onscreen, she’s happy there’s a few. “I think it’s going to get there,” she says. “It just hasn’t gotten there yet.”
Neha is one of nine women Audrey featured in its Body of Quirks feature. Check out more stories here.
Purchase the Summer issue of Audrey Magazine here.
Royal/T Café’s Soju Ginger Lemonade: Enjoy an early happy hour with this refreshing picnic cocktail.
ISSUE: Summer 2011
DEPT: Entertaining
STORY: Janice Jann
Royal/T Café’s Soju Ginger Lemonade
2 oz premium soju
1.5 oz ginger syrup*
Freshly squeezed lemon juice
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake vigorously. Pour into chilled martini glass. Garnish with a healthy sized lemon wedge.
*Ginger syrup (Makes about 16 oz)
1 cup superfine sugar
1 cup filtered water
3 inches peeled and crushed ginger
Combine ingredients in a small pot over medium high heat. Bring to a rapid boil. Take off heat. After 15 minutes strain out the ginger. Let cool to at least room temperature.
Check out more stories here. Purchase the Summer issue of Audrey Magazine here.
ISSUE: Summer 2011
DEPT: Beauty Kit
STORY: Anna M. Park
We all know by now that we have to protect ourselves from the sun. But there is so much confusion out there about SPF, the different types of blockers and how much to apply. So we asked cosmetic dermatologist and author Tess Mauricio, M.D., who is of Filipino, Chinese and Spanish descent, to cut to the basics.
Chinese actress Li Bing Bing unleashes her star power in auteur Wayne Wang’s latest film Snow Flower and the Secret Fan — a lush visual feast of celluloid based on Lisa See’s best-selling novel, revealing a secret language and a sacred bond of sisterhood that gave women a voice and freed their souls.
ISSUE: Summer 2011
DEPT: Cover Feature
Photographer Ken Pao
Wardrobe Anna Katsanis
Makeup & Hair Elle German
Photo Assistants Leo Salvaggio, Noah Ehlert
Story Teena Apeles
It was a Friday night. As usual, Little Tokyo in Los Angeles was full of night owls ready to socialize over good food and frothy drinks.
The patrons at the Far Bar on East 1st Street were no exception. The bar was full of mostly young and mostly Asian guests, all of whom appeared to be having a great time. However, this crowd had gathered for a purpose that went beyond just socializing. They were here for “A Celebration of Asian American Soul,” as presented by the online magazine Asia Pacific Arts and co-hosted by inVenture.
The star of the night was funk/soul singer Judith Hill.
Contributor Iris Chan reports on the International Indian Film Academy Awards.
On Saturday June 25, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards were held in Toronto, Canada – the first ever North American country to host! Bollywood (with a bit of Hollywood) descended upon the green carpet with glitz and glamour.
Bollywood superstar Anil Kapoor and Hilary Swank on the green carpet.
For such a historic affair, it’s no wonder the South Asian Canadian community excitedly came to the occasion. I strolled through the crowd and met some of the fans.
THE BACK-UP PLAN: Grenade, hater, cock-blocker — call it what you will, guest columnist Anastasia Kim filters the losers, while wingman Paul Nakayama just tries not to say too much.
ISSUE: Spring 2011
DEPT: The Awful Truth
STORY: Paul Nakayama and Anastasia Kim
PHOTO: Audrey Cho
ANASTASIA SAYS:
I really should charge by the hour for my wingwoman services. Actually, wingwoman doesn’t quite describe the role so much as “booty guard.”
I am not a “matchmaking” wingwoman, just so you know; you can sign up with eHarmony for that. I am what embittered folk call a “cock-blocker,” “hater” or, if they deem me unattractive enough, a “grenade.” (Hopefully this isn’t the case.)
