How Gleelightful (I will never get sick of puns) does Jenna Ushkowitz look on the new cover of Audrey Magazine? Find inside, some exclusive pics and choice quotes!

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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.

Who went to Audrey’s Fashion Night Out this past Wednesday?

If you were one of the lucky ones, you know what a blast we all had. Free flowing Ketel One (only the smoothest vodka ever), yummy cupcakes and savory appetizers, chic fashion, beautiful faces, and paparazzi galore! It was one crazy night.

And if you were one of the lucky VIP attendees, then you got to take home a packed gift bag filled with goodies, including a full-size product from Mirai Clinical.

Mirai Clinical is a Japanese company that just launched an innovative 3-step skin care regimen. Their breakthrough APG-40 formulation, which includes Astaxanthin (the most
powerful antioxidant), specifically targets the evolving body care needs of women with maturing skin.

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In our Fall 2011 issue, we featured Courvoisier’s newest incarnation, Courvoisier Rosé, a clever marriage of premium French wine and deep, smoky cognac. We enjoyed sipping it straight up, but it’ll be even better as a chic cocktail, perfect for cooler autumn evenings.

“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.

Accompanied by Angeleno rapper Bambu, the Seattle-based hip-hop duo Blue Scholars, is headlining their first national tour for the release of their new album Cinemetropolis. The cinema-themed album was produced by Persian American DJ Sabzi with lyrics by Filipino American MC Geologic.

Blue Scholars. Photo by Canh Solo.

The album features songs covering day-to-day topics such as food and love to more worldly ideas such as police brutality and class divisions. Yuri Kochiyama is one of the namesake song on the Scholars’ album, a tribute to the Japanese American human rights activist, her values, and her work.

The tour will begin in Vancouver, Canada on September 14 and will travel throughout the States with a final performance in NYC on November 11. For the complete list of tour dates, visit their website.

The models for Audrey’s Night Out have been cast!

Get an exclusive glimpse of the casting process (as well as a look at the swanky Exchange LA venue, where we’ll be holding Audrey’s Night Out) below:

Audrey Magazine‘s Fall Issue feature story, “Picking Up the Pieces,” looks at how the economic recession has affected the lives of Asian Americans. And in light of President Obama’s recent jobs speech to a joint session of Congress, U.S. Rep. Judy Chu, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), released the following statement in response.

In spite of the dangerous myth that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) have been largely untouched by this recession, our community has been devastated by long term unemployment, high rates of foreclosures and downward mobility. Many who have spent decades working to attain the American dream are now falling out of the middle-class or struggling to make ends meet.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Asian American and Pacific Islander community experienced the fastest percentage growth of any racial group over the last 10 years. Since the recession began, AAPIs have experienced a 54 percent drop in median household income and the largest decline in home ownership of any racial group. As a whole, AAPIs also remain unemployed for longer periods of time than any other group. Certain AAPI communities, such as American Samoans, also have unemployment rates that are nearly twice the national average.

The President’s plan is a step forward for our community and our country. By extending unemployment benefits and investing in job creation, we can help AAPI workers suffering from disproportionately long periods of unemployment. The President’s proposal for tax relief on small businesses will also benefit the 1.5 million AAPI owned businesses that employ over 2.8 million people. As elected leaders in Congress, we need to come together and pass a meaningful jobs package that puts Americans back to work and invests in our current and future needs.

To check out our Fall issue, purchase 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.

On the 10th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, we look back to a time that changed our world. New America Media has a collection of stories about 9/11 that puts an Asian American face to the tragedy. Read it here.

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