We knew Indian British actress Archie Panjabi was getting some serious buzz for her steal-the-show role of tough-talking investigator Kalinda in CBS’s hit “The Good Wife.” Now she’s won outstanding supporting actress in a drama series for her role! Here she is wearing Tadashi Shoji at the Emmy Awards last night.
Archie Panjabi poses with her award for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series backstage at the 62nd annual Primetime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles. Photo by Danny Moloshok/Reuters.
Archie Panjabi, right, in her signature black knee-high boots, in "The Good Wife."
And also congrats to Padma Lakshmi’s show Top Chef, which won best reality competition program.
From left: "Top Chef" host Padma Lakshmi, Tom Colicchio and Gail Simmons, winners of the Reality Competition Program Award at the 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards. Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images.
I have a theory. My theory is that it is taboo to show Asians kissing (whether it be Asian/Asian or Asian/non-Asian) in a public medium for mass viewing. Pornos don’t count because usually, the individual will hopefully view those in the privacy of his own room. With the door locked.
Now, this theory is relatively new to me, so I haven’t fully fleshed out the minute details, such as why or how this came to be, but I think there’s a grain of truth to my speculation. Seeing Jin and Sun kiss on Lost was pretty epic. And why should it be? Only if it were taboo …
Maybe it’s because mainstream America is not ready for it. And that is exactly what Broadway actress Fay Ann Lee was told when she presented her script Falling for Grace, written in response to the lack of good roles for Asian Americans. It features Chinese American Grace Tang, an ambitious Wall Street banker, who is mistaken for a Hong Kong heiress. This leads to a series of white lies that land her right into the arms of New York’s most eligible bachelor, Andrew James Barrington, Jr. With this script in hand, Lee placed in prestigious competitions such as the Nicholl Fellowship and the Chesterfield Writer’s Film Project, and Holly producers expressed interest. However, they refused to buy the screenplay unless Tang’s ethnicity was changed to either Caucasian or Hispanic. Rather than letting this deter her, Lee went on to raise $3 million, and directed, produced and starred in it herself.
Starring alongside her is Gale Harold from Queer as Folk and Desperate Housewives, Margaret Cho, Lost‘s Ken Leung, and Stephanie March — just a few of the big star names featured in the film, available now on DVD.
With simple and honest dialogue, I found that the film’s strongest point was in the family scenes. It did a superb job capturing the dynamics of an Asian family. As you watch Grace’s mother abruptly shut the door on the delivery service men’s faces in an effort to shoo them away or as Grace argues with her delinquent younger brother, these moments ring true to what many of us Asian Americans may go through. I found such scenes delightful and fun to watch, a break away from the “typical American” family home scene you would normally see in a romantic comedy. It was also interesting to see the plot unfold because Lee had weaved into the conflict the use of sweat shop workers in Chinatown by outside corporate clothing companies. I appreciated the real life issues Lee brought to the screen and the strife it was creating among the characters.
In terms of seeing an Asian American protagonist share a few passionate onscreen kisses with a white co-star, I don’t know how it felt, especially as an Asian American chick myself. It was cool to see someone who looked like me locking lips with a white guy. That’s something I can only dream about or else my mother would tar and feather me. But it definitely made me think about relationships, the complexity of relationships, and all the stigma that surrounds biracial couples … and how confusing that must be. What kind of impact would this have on mainstream America? How do biracial couples feel about this? Is this another example of where the white guy wins and gets the exotic, in this case, Asian girl and Asian guys lose again? Should Asian Americans try to brand their own version of the “classical American romantic comedy” instead of trying to conform to the current standard?
What do you think?
Are you excited for the Emmy Awards this Sunday? There are a lot of really great shows competing for the coveted award, like Mad Men, Dexter, 30 Rock and Audrey‘s personal favorite, Glee.
And of course, where there are award shows, there are gifting suites going on all week. Check out a shot of Glee‘s Jenna Ushkowitz at the Jacob & Co. Emmy Fine Jewelry Preview earlier this week. She looks hot!
Jenna Ushkowitz at the Jacob & Co. Emmy Fine Jewelry Preview. Photo by David Aguilera/Buzzfoto.com.
The Korean American star is wearing a Jacob & Co. Diamond Sapphire and Emerald Cuff with a Cabochon Emerald Ring. Will she wear it to the award show?
BooBoo Stewart and Christian Serratos. Photo by David Aguilera/Buzzfoto.com.
Asian American actor BooBoo Stewart, who made his big screen debut in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse this summer, also stopped by the jewelry preview. Apparently a big watch collector, Stewart picked out a Jacob & Co. 5 time zone Stainless Steel Mother of Pearl Timepiece.
Nicole Scherzinger of Pussycat Dolls was also there, we hear, talking about her new album due out in the fall. She picked up a rose gold Hamsa (Hand of God) bracelet and a nude-tone form fitting “Marcella” dress by Nicole Young.
JACOB & Co. invited guests to peruse and select pieces from the collection for either their attendance at the prestigious 2010 Emmy ceremony or another impending momentous occasion. JACOB & Co. is a prominent jewelry house that counts Kanye West, Tom Cruise and Alicia Keys as fans.
Are you excited for the Emmy Awards? Who are you rooting for?
“The public is screaming for Asian American talent,” CAPE director, Jennifer Sanderson tells me. “Screaming for Asian American talent. I get calls on a daily basis asking for Asian American writers and talents. I want our communities to know about these opportunities and just really go for it.”
A diverse crowd came out to support CAPE
Judging by the numerous submissions that CAPE received from the United States and all over the world (including Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan), it seems like the talents are responding. The prestigious 11th annual CAPE New Writers Awards, in both Screenwriting and Television Writing categories packed the Japanese American National Museum’s (JANM) theater with industry newcomers and pros alike.
CAPE honors Jaffar Mahmood with this year's Screenwriting Winner Award
This year's Television Writing Winner, Randall Park & wife
The event, produced by CAPE (the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) Foundation, Inc., and Fox Entertainment Group (with support from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association), honored Jaffar Mahmood as the Screenwriting winner for his script, How to Throw a Party in Pakistan. Mia Riverton’s script, His & Hers and Ann. N. Truong’s script, So I Married a Black Guy were 1st and 2nd runner up, respectively. Randall Park took home the Television Writing award for his original script, Erasists. Leonard Chang’s Isa’s Return was 1st runner-up and Becoming Kate by Leonardo Nam and Sara Drew was 2nd runner up.
If many of these names sound familiar to you, it’s probably because they are familiar faces.
Ceremony producer Leo Chu remarks, “About half of our finalists this year have been actors so apparently, they have been busy acting as well as writing.” He goes on to joke, “Some of them, it’s the first script they’ve ever written which is pretty astounding and disheartening to me as a writer.”
And even more impressive is the fact that whereas in the past, winners have been scripts that were adapted from shows currently on air or movies that have already been made (for example, last year’s Television Writing Winner, Aaron Ho’s script was his version of a How I Met Your Mother episode), all 6 of this year’s scripts were original.
After the awards were handed out, the audience was treated to readings of last year’s winning scripts. Amusing, heartfelt and very well-written, the works definitely carry merit.
“Writers are king, “ Sanderson says, “We have to develop these talents.”
Future projects CAPE has in store for aspiring writers include a “Writing for Mainstream” workshop which Sanderson feels will be an amazing way for writers to get their work out.
If you’re interested in CAPE or its activities, please check out their site. Video of the event can be found here.
Photos courtesy of Steven Lam
My best friend and I always talk about how when we grow up and we fail at everything we set out to do, our back up plan is to open a boutique together. We got everything figured out. She’s going to take care of the business/managerial aspect of things, and I’ll be handling the customers and the artistic side of things. We may or may not live in a pretty sweet apartment above it, but pretty much, we’re going to tear it up.
The G.L.A.M. girls.
This is what G.L.A.M. is all about it. Based in Hawaii, four college girlfriends teamed up to combine their business and jewelry skills to provide jewelry made from quality materials inspired by the eclectic culture of the Islands. Each piece is made with the notion that each girl should only wear what is most genuine.
For this week’s TGIFREE giveaway, we bring you two of Gen, Lisa, Amanda and Michelle’s beautiful creations that definitely reflect G.L.A.M.’s motto of “Give Love Aspire Motivate.”
The first is the Jessica. Hanging from thin gold twisted into a square spiral is a periwinkle-purple gem. It changes colors in the light, much like an ocean might on a clear day.
G.L.A.M. "Jessica" earrings.
The Joelle has two fine diamond outlines dangling daintily over each other. The silver and gold tones shine and contrast with the slightest movement. I kind of liken them to pretty wind chimes you might see on someone’s back porch.
G.L.A.M. "Joelle" earrings.
Now, we’re changing up the drill a little bit so pay attention.
To enter this giveaway, you have to SUGGEST TO ALL YOUR FACEBOOK FRIENDS THAT THEY “LIKE” AUDREY. Then, comment to this post, telling us that you did that. Everyone who does those two steps are entered to win a pair of G.L.A.M. earrings!
You have until September 1, 11:59 pm to suggest and comment, and re-tweeting gets you an additional entry. Don’t forget you must have a U.S. addy to win. Good luck!
No one can deny that fashion is an art. But when fashion and art collaborate, there you have true creativity.
7 For All Mankind by Mika "Rose" T-shirt.
Marc Jacobs and Takashi Murakami. Daphne Guinness and Comme des Garcons. And now there’s 7 For All Mankind and famed Japanese photographer, Mika Ningawa.
“Blurring the line between art and fashion is something I strongly believe in, and I’ve really enjoyed merging our two worlds together to create the pieces in this exceptional collection,” said Ninagawa, arguably Japan’s most popular photographer.
The 38-year-old’s work is seen everywhere from teen fashion magazines to high-end commercial fashion and advertising. In addition to her solo shows and exhibitions, Ninagawa has published numerous books of her work and made her directorial debut with her film Sakuran at the 57th annual Berlin International Film Festival.
7 For All Mankind By Mika "Gwenevere" with floral print denim.
Super skinny “gummy” denim subtly emblazoned with a floral print taken from one of Ningawa’s iconic floral photographs. An almost holographic print on a perfectly fitting tee. A pop of color on summer’s must-have cut-off denim shorts. (Wear it well into fall with sheer black tights and a button down.) Even something for the men — a tee I’m definitely gonna have to swipe for myself.
One pretty cool way to inject some art into your everyday life.
7 For All Mankind "Boyfriend Shorty" with printed pocket lining.
The 7 For All Mankind By Mika collection retails from $89 to $198 and is available now at 7 For All Mankind boutiques in the United States, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Singapore, South Korea, Australia, Germany, France and Italy, as well as online.
Continue reading to see more styles.
7 For All Mankind by Mika "Lily" T-shirt.
7 For All Mankind "X-Ray Orchid" v-neck shirt.
My hair has been through a lot. It’s undergone years of perms, highlights, curlers, dye jobs and hairspray abuse. I can go for weeks without brushing it. Sometimes, if I’m not careful, it’ll just sit as a tangled bird’s nest atop my head.
So when I heard of the Global Keratin’s Hair Taming System with JUVEXIN™, a treatment where protein compound that can restore hair back to its youthful state, I had to check it out.
My treatment was held at the swanky Sally Hershberger salon in Los Angeles where the ultra-pro stylist, Kristen and her assistant Jasmine Chang (who is also on the hit reality show, K-town, woot woot) was put in charge of styling my hair.
My "before" hair
Now, I had my hesitations because it would seem that this system seems most effective with those who have giant, wild, unmanageable hair. As an Asian girl whose stick-straight locks isn’t usually that unmanageable, I wasn’t sure if I would be an ideal subject. I was afraid that the treatment might even make my hair flatter and I just ain’t down with that. Nonetheless, Kristen and the rest of the Global Keratin team assured me that after the protein compounds start setting in my locks, my hair may actually become fuller.
I want it this full.
The treatment itself was easy enough with a few simple steps. After applying the treatment on my hair, my stylists blew dry and then hot-ironed the locks to set the formula in. I’m not supposed to wash my hair for the next two days (so, sorry people who have to see my greasy do!) but after that, I can do whatever I want.
Tada! My hair right after
I’ll be checking in over the course of the next few weeks to let you know how it works out. Meanwhile, here’s hoping I won’t have to keep wearing this anymore.
Hat hair for the next few days
I used to be Martha Stewart.
Or, at least I wanted to be. I wanted to spend my days handmaking paper scrapbooks, growing begonias and wild roses, and “antiquing” — scouring flea markets for my ever-growing collection of handblown green glass bottles.
I know. Sick.
Thankfully, I’m so over that phase of my life. (I couldn’t keep a desk cactus alive to save my life.) And it’s been ages since I last went to a flea market. That is, until the new L.A. Flea Market opened up at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles last month.
Despite the fact that it was the hottest weekend to date in an unusually cool summer for us Angelenos, I had to check it out. Had flea markets changed since my last foray years ago? Would this one be different?
Smart shoppers kept the UV rays at bay under umbrellas.
There were plenty of celebs and dignitaries at the grand opening. Shoppers hobnobbed with the likes of Zooey Deschanel, Kelly Lynch, Kate Linder and Shenae Grimes. Bloggers and journalists alike snapped photos as they snapped up goods. Local deejay Rick Dees held a Hollywood Yard Sale, 460 vendors hawked their wares ranging from clothing to antiques to gourmet goodies, live music wafted throughout, and a kids’ area (rock climbing, go-carts) kept the young ones busy.
My favorite part of the experience were the food trucks — 20 in all — gathered in one area like some dream-come-true buffet. Mandoline’s to-die-for banh mi or a chili dog? Indian or pizza? I even ran into my old friend Debbie Lee, runner-up of last season’s The Next Food Network Star, at her newest venture, the Ahn-Joo food truck. (Read about it in our upcoming Fall 2010 issue!)
People lined up to try Debbie Lee's Korean pub food at her gourmet truck Ahn-Joo.
But it wasn’t all just narcissistic self-indulgence. The flea market’s non-profit section hosted the UCLA Blood and Platelet Center, North East Trees Organization, and Dalmatian Firehouse. (More organizations, including the Dodger’s Dream Foundation, are participating in future events.) And Homeboy Industries, which helps at-risk and formerly gang-involved youth to become contributing members of society through job placement, training and education, provided logistics and maintenance support. How cool is that.
The next L.A. Flea Market is this coming Sunday, August 29, and it sounds like it’s going to be better than ever. They’ve upped their amenities, including cooling stations, a beer garden, and a “Dodger Experience” where you can try their famous Dodger dog.
You know, I just may have to get into this flea market thing yet again.
DETAILS
When: Sunday, August 29, 2010. Thereafter: October 31, November 21, December 19, January 16 and February 20
Where: Dodger Stadium, 1000 Elysian Park Ave, Los Angeles, Calif.
Tickets: General admission is $5 starting at 9 am and includes free parking; preferred parking is $10; Early Bird tickets allowing 7 am entry are $10; V.I.P. tickets including early bird entry are $15; kids under 12 get in free. You can purchase tickets by emailing order@tix.com.
Info: www.thelafleamarket.com, 866.966.9495
Every year, there seems to be one majorly buzzed-about film with a heavy Asian American ensemble cast. This year, Quentin Lee’s The People I’ve Slept With is it. Starring Karin Anna Cheung and a slew of other sexies including Archie Kao, Randall Park and Lynn Chen, the film revolves around one woman’s frisky ways causing her to get knocked up without knowing who the babydaddy is. This is definitely not your typical Asian American romantic comedy. Which is why you should definitely check it out…With Audrey! And Angry Asian Man!
On August 28th, Audrey Gets Angry. Seriously. Let me explain.
The People I’ve Slept With will be playing in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Sunset 5 with a cast and crew Q&A moderated by Angry Asian Man’s Phil Yu. Following that, head on over to Libertine on Sunset, where Audrey is hosting an intimate after-party with the stars of the film. Karin Anna Cheung, Lynn Chen, Archie Kao, writer Koji Steven Sakai, producer Stanley Yung and director Quentin Lee are already slated to appear.
To attend, RSVP to rsvp@audreymagazine.com. If you attend the after party, you might even get a chance to win two VIP tickets to Audrey’s Night Out 2010— the hottest fashion event for the Asian American community.
So, to sum it all up, a night to watch the hottest AA film of the year, hang with the stars and possibly win tickets to another fabulous event? This could be better than sex.
Purchase movie tickets here.
Video & interview from Ink’n'Undies
Take a minute to think about the underwear you have on. Think about all it’s done for you, those endless wash cycles and bean burritos. Very few people will see your underwear (unless you are of the mall-crawling crowd that belts up around the lower thigh, in which case you might be considered an underwear activist here), but for one particular group of people, the challenge goes beyond ‘boxers or briefs.’
When Helen Huang told her friends and relatives about starting a non-profit to provide underwear — just underwear — to the homeless, they mostly laughed. When she bought the idea to homeless shelters, they said please.
Helen Huang, founder of Undershare
“It’s not just what you see,” Huang says regarding homelessness. To people struggling to pick themselves up, getting a bra that fits is just as much a hurdle as having an address to fill in on job applications. Women who escape domestic violence situations often don’t have time to pack their underwear. Then there are the babies. “Can I just talk about the homeless babies?” She pipes up during our interview. “Homeless children need new diapers, and pull-ups to be toilet-trained.”
Any parent can attest to how crucial those are.
So with that, Huang founded Undershare, a 501(c)3 nonprofit that relies exclusively on volunteers and donations to provide underwear to the homeless and distressed. They do drop-offs (simple: they just drop underwear off) at Los Angeles homeless shelters and sent undergarments to Louisiana when Katrina landed. Their latest project also involved underwear, but with flair: a skivvy fashion show fundraiser at the Ecco Lounge. Modeled by the Suicide Girls, a punk-rock-flavored girls club that threw all body shapes, tattoos and piercings on a runway, Ink’n'Undies had drawn a full house before 9pm. Clothes, or underwear rather, were provided by Seven ’til Midnight.
Suicide Girls modeled undergarment designs by Seven 'til Midnight
Organizations like hers, Huang says, aren’t solving the problem of homelessness. “We’re lending compassion and dignity.” In the end, she’s just trying to get some money for new undergarments. “And the people who laughed at me at first,” she adds, “they’ve all come and donated underwear.”
