Asian Hollywood has gone quieter on politics since 2024, with some loud exceptions
Issue #245 highlights the Asian American stars still vocal ahead of the midterms, a Filipino American activist’s arrest in the Philippines and a Korean spa’s petition to the Supreme Court.
Today’s stories begin with Asian American entertainers talking about politics while much of Hollywood has gone silent ahead of the midterms. Then, we move to stories about China, including how one streamer’s enthusiasm for the country does not extend to his mother and a Chinese American researcher suing his university after a costly legal battle that accused him of spying. Next, a Baltimore activist is being held in the Philippines.
Moving on to education, federal lawyers are challenging tuition aid for undocumented students, while universities across Asia recruit more international students. Also, a Korean spa wants the Supreme Court to hear its case.
Entertainment wraps up today’s stories, beginning with a legal drama named for a majority Asian city drawing complaints about its cast. We go back to Baltimore to see how it turns out for BTS and check on the first Asian American “Bachelorette” as she returns to her professional field.
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As Hollywood goes quiet on politics, these Asian stars choose to stay vocal
In 2024, Asian American celebrities were all over the campaign. Ahead of the midterms, many have gone quiet, while those still speaking are not all saying the same thing.
A “Star Trek” veteran answered a fellow actor’s decision to keep politics private with three words. A singer and a comedian have not let up. Neither have the Trump supporters, including one whose grandparents were incarcerated during World War II.
What else we’re tracking
Hasan Piker’s mother shares his politics, but draws the line at his ‘love’ of China
Sedef Piker agrees with her son about nearly everything political, but China is one exception. She revealed this in a magazine profile that follows him from his Turkish childhood to eight-hour daily streams on U.S. politics.
Chinese American researcher sues University of Kansas again, alleging retaliation
Feng “Franklin” Tao’s China Initiative conviction was overturned in 2024. However, he still does not have his job back. His second lawsuit against the University of Kansas alleges retaliation and questions who the school picked to hear his case.
Filipino American activist’s arrest raises questions about who the Philippines calls a terrorist
Christina Pasion left Baltimore in December to learn why Filipinos go abroad for work. Seven months later, Philippine authorities arrested and linked her to a communist insurgency. Her family disputes the accusation.
The DOJ is suing 3 more states for providing tuition aid for undocumented students
Three new lawsuits would strip in-state tuition from undocumented students in New York, Connecticut and Vermont, bringing the Justice Department’s total to 17. Connecticut’s Asian American attorney general insists Washington has no authority over the state’s schools.
Fewer international students are entering US universities as Asian destinations gain ground
New international enrollment in the U.S. fell 17% last fall, one survey found. On the other hand, Japan set a record, while South Korea has nearly tripled its 2015 total. Tighter U.S. visa rules take effect next month.
Korean spa takes transgender access fight to the Supreme Court
Olympus Spa wants to keep excluding transgender women who have not had surgery. Its new petition invokes religious freedom and calls a Korean bathhouse custom protected expression.
‘Cupertino,’ a show named after a 71% Asian majority city, draws criticism over limited Asian representation
A new CBS legal drama takes its name from a city where seven in 10 residents are Asian. One of its six principal cast members is Asian American. Casting calls sought Asian actors repeatedly, though only for background roles.
Maryland governor gives BTS the royal treatment during Baltimore stop
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore named all seven members in a Korean-subtitled video set to “Butter” before the group’s two stadium shows. His welcome followed a trade mission to Seoul and more than a year of courting Korean investment.
First Asian American ‘Bachelorette’ Jenn Tran is now a certified physician assistant
Jenn Tran left physician assistant school for reality television, then returned to Miami to finish. By her account, PA programs turned her down before she started, while the degree itself took nearly four years. She has more than one idea about what comes next.
Why read Issue #245?
What we noticed in these stories is how Asian Americans are getting counted constantly, and almost never by themselves. Agencies, networks, courts … the list goes on. Sometimes, being counted as a voiceless statistic can force one to answer back.
In this issue, we can see that the cost of responding runs from legal bills and lost years to a comment section that never closes. Still, nobody here sees that cost the same way. Check out the numbers so far this year alone, and you’ll learn how institutions are sorting our community. And sadly, almost nothing about who is arguing with them.
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The Rebel Yellow is supported in part by funding from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Funders do not influence story selection, reporting, or editorial decisions. All editorial content is independently produced by The Rebel Yellow team.