Bubble tea billionaires
Shan Weijun and Zhou Rongrong, co-founders of Chinese bubble tea chain Auntea Jenny, have become billionaires following the company’s successful initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
The Rebel Yellow – Issue 72
Wisconsin marked 50 years since the first Hmong refugee families arrived after the Vietnam War. New testing found most U.S. rice contains arsenic and cadmium, with a quarter of samples exceeding FDA limits for infants. Seattle launched a $1 million ambassador program to improve Chinatown safety, while Taiwan was blocked from the World Health Assembly for the ninth year. Other developments include legal action against Shen Yun, rising concerns over youth support for free speech, and major wins in politics, film, music and sports for the Asian diaspora.
Wisconsin marks 50 years of Hmong community’s resilience
Wisconsin commemorated the 50th anniversary of Hmong resettlement on May 14, celebrating a statewide community that has grown to over 55,000 people since the first refugee families arrived following the Vietnam War in 1975.
Finding a new home: Hmong families first sought refuge in the U.S. after facing persecution for their alliance with American forces during covert operations in Laos. “Our families fled Laos and Thailand because of the American war in Southeast Asia,” Tammie Xiong, executive director of the Hmong American Women’s Association in Milwaukee, told the Wisconsin Public Radio. Many navigated dangerous escapes across the Mekong River into Thailand before spending time in refugee camps. “We have to go through this hardship so we can live a better life in the U.S.,” Tsu Lor Xiong told WUWM, reflecting on his family’s journey.
A celebration of community: The Legislative Asian Caucus held ceremonies at the State Capitol last Wednesday, with community leaders honoring veterans and reflecting on their collective journey. As of 2024, just 3.3% of Wisconsin’s population identifies as Asian, though it is now home to the third-largest Hmong population in the U.S. The state Assembly also passed two resolutions, including one “celebrating 50 years of strength and resilience of the Hmong, Lao, Cambodian and Vietnamese people.”
Ongoing challenges: The anniversary represents both achievement and ongoing challenges for the state’s Hmong residents. For one, community leaders say the milestone calls for continued investment in housing and culturally appropriate services. “As a medical anthropologist researching my own community, it has been a work of mourning,” UW-Madison professor Mai See Thao told WKOW, “to see that even after resettlement, Hmong people continue to face disparities and hardship as they age in their place of refuge.”
Looking ahead, a traveling exhibition presenting Hmong American experiences through interactive domestic spaces — titled “Los Tsev, Cia Siab,” meaning “Home, Hope” — will continue its journey to University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh in September.
U.S. rice found to have high levels of arsenic, cadmium
New testing reveals that virtually all rice sold in the U.S. contains arsenic and cadmium, with one-fourth of samples exceeding federal safety limits established for infant rice cereal.
Key findings: Tests of 145 rice samples from retailers nationwide detected arsenic — a highly toxic metalloid — in 100% of samples, with more than one in four exceeding the FDA’s 100 parts-per-billion limit set for infant rice cereal in 2021. California-grown rice had the lowest overall heavy metal content at 65 parts per billion, while U.S.-grown brown rice contained the highest at 151 parts per billion. Cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal, was also found in all but one sample, with higher concentrations in Indian basmati and Italian Arborio varieties. Tests of 66 samples of alternative grains like barley, couscous, farro and quinoa showed significantly lower levels of these toxic metals, with overall levels three times lower than rice.
Dangers: Jane Houlihan, the national director of science and health at Healthy Babies, Bright Futures — which produced the report — said parents should not have to worry that a common first food such as rice could pose hidden risks. “Even at low levels, both arsenic and cadmium have been linked to serious health harms, including diabetes, developmental delays, reproductive toxicity and heart disease,” she told CNN.
What you can do: Rice accounts for 54.5% of arsenic exposure in diets of Asian children between 18 and 24 months, the tests found. To reduce exposure by up to 60%, families are encouraged to cook rice like pasta, using six to 10 cups of water per cup of rice and draining the excess before eating. Simply rinsing rice before cooking does not work, but soaking rice for a half hour or overnight before cooking further reduces contamination levels. Parents can also choose lower-risk varieties like California-grown, Thai jasmine or Indian basmati rice and incorporate alternative grains with lower metal content. Additionally, consuming foods rich in B vitamins, vitamin C, calcium, iron and zinc can help reduce the body’s absorption of contaminants or speed up their excretion.
The findings come as research shows climate change could worsen the problem, with a Columbia University-led study finding that projected 2050 temperature and CO₂ levels could significantly increase inorganic arsenic in rice.
Seattle looks to neighborhood “ambassadors” to help improve Chinatown safety
Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has unveiled a $1 million initiative to improve safety and revitalize the economy in the Chinatown-International District (CID).
About the initiative
The initiative, known as the C-ID Ambassadors Program, will launch on June 1, focusing specifically on the Chinatown, Japantown and Little Saigon neighborhoods. The program is funded by a combined $1 million investment of over two years from the City of Seattle and The Asian American Foundation (TAAF).
Modeled after other successful similar programs, the trained ambassadors will “walk and watch over neighborhood blocks to ensure they are safer, cleaner and cared for.” They will also assist visitors, deter disruptive behavior around small businesses and offer de-escalation services to individuals in crisis.
Reconnecting members, renewing neighborhoods
Harrell, Seattle’s first Asian American mayor, said the program represents exactly the kind of public-private partnership needed to “uplift and renew” historic neighborhoods in the city. “With dedicated ambassadors on the ground, we are investing in safety, belonging and visibility for one of our city’s most culturally significant communities.”
James Beard Award-nominated restaurateur Yenvy Pham, who owns businesses in the CID including Phở Bắc Súp Shop, told KUOW that the hope of the ambassador program is to “reconnect” members of the neighborhood and foster “human-to-human connection” amid difficult situations. “Maybe two weeks ago, someone [overdosed] in front of Súp Shop,” she recalled. “And this guy was laying there, and everyone was just walking past him.”
How it can help
The initiative comes after years of outcry from business owners and residents about high rates of drug use and crime in the neighborhood. Police data reportedly show that the CID has one of the highest rates of violent and property crime in Seattle. A 2024 study commissioned by TAAF found that public safety was either a “major problem” or “somewhat of a problem” to 54% of AANHPIs in Seattle.
The ambassador program is part of a broader effort that includes Amazon’s $250,000 commitment to Friends of Little Sài Gòn for economic development and public safety programs, plus an additional $250,000 to bring back the C-ID Night Market for three years.
Ted Cruz urges State Department to lift restrictions on Taiwan sovereignty symbols
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) urged the State Department to lift its restrictions on displays of Taiwan’s sovereignty symbols during a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing on Thursday, continuing his years-long campaign against policies he says date back to the Obama administration.
What he’s saying: At the confirmation hearing for State Department nominees Christopher Pratt and Michael George DeSombre, Cruz criticized policies prohibiting Taiwan from displaying symbols of sovereignty, including its flag, on U.S. soil. “The Chinese Communist Party is working every day to erode Taiwan’s status globally,” Cruz said, urging DeSombre to return to the Trump administration’s more permissive approach. “The Obama, Biden caving to Communist China policy is not a good one and not one that the Trump administration should be following,” he added.
Years-long advocacy
Cruz, whose actions follow recent similar moves by House Republicans, introduced the Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty Act (Taiwan SOS Act) in 2020 and 2022, aiming to allow Taiwanese diplomats and military personnel to display their flag and wear their uniforms while in the U.S. on official business. “America should not do the bidding of the Chinese Communist Party in forcing service members and diplomats of free, democratic governments to hide their flag or discard their uniforms,” Cruz said in introducing the legislation.
Earlier this year, he also slammed South Africa’s renewed demand that Taiwan relocate its representative office from Pretoria, describing the timeline as “deeply troubling” and saying it undermines U.S. national security interests.
Meanwhile: Cruz’s advocacy comes amid heightened tensions in the Taiwan Strait, where China has recently increased military activity with an average of about 20 planes and 11 navy and coast guard ships entering Taiwan’s air defense identification zone daily. At the same time, the self-governed island is navigating complex trade negotiations with the U.S. as it faces potential 32% import tariffs under President Donald Trump’s policies, though implementation was paused last month for 90 days.
Taiwan’s WHO Assembly bid blocked for 9th straight year
The World Health Assembly (WHA), the World Health Organization’s highest decision-making body, rejected a proposal to invite Taiwan as an observer on Monday after China and Pakistan voiced strong opposition, marking the ninth consecutive year of the self-governed island’s exclusion from the global health forum.
How it went: The proposal, brought forward by Taiwan’s diplomatic allies Belize and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, was defeated following a “two-on-two debate” at the 78th WHA in Geneva. Chinese Ambassador Chen Xu argued that the proposal “openly challenges the authority of the UN and the post-war international order,” while Pakistani deputy permanent representative Zaman Mehdi reaffirmed his country’s support for Beijing’s “one China principle.” Belize’s Health Minister Kevin Bernard, on the other hand, countered that UN resolutions “do not justify the exclusion of Taiwan, nor do they grant China the right to represent the Taiwanese people.”
The big picture: Taiwan participated as an observer from 2009 to 2016 under then-President Ma Ying-jeou, when relations with China were warmer. In response to the WHA’s decision, China’s Foreign Ministry blamed Taiwan's current Democratic Progressive Party authorities’ “separatist stance” for destroying the political foundation for participation. Despite exclusion, China claims Taiwan has “unimpeded and full-fledged information exchange mechanisms” with the WHO and approved all 11 applications from Taiwan experts to participate in WHO technical activities over the past year.
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs “strongly condemned” China and Pakistan’s opposition and is expected to submit a formal letter of protest to the WHO.
Husband-and-wife bubble tea founders become billionaires after Hong Kong IPO
Shan Weijun and Zhou Rongrong, co-founders of Chinese bubble tea chain Auntea Jenny, have become billionaires following the company’s successful initial public offering on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. The couple’s combined net worth reached $1.7 billion after shares surged 53% on the first day of trading on May 8.
From Amway to empire
The pair, both 48, were formerly senior sales managers at Amway (China) before venturing into bubble tea. Inspired by a trip to Taiwan in 2013, they opened Auntea Jenny’s first location in Shanghai. The company has since grown into China’s fourth-largest freshly made tea brand, operating over 9,100 outlets across more than 300 cities by the end of 2024, primarily through a franchise model targeting lower-tier cities.
Bubble tea boom
China’s bubble tea market has exploded in recent years, driven by demand for customizable drinks among younger consumers. This growth has fueled rapid expansion for chains like Auntea Jenny, even as intense competition has pressured margins. Despite a 2% drop in revenue and a 15% decline in net profit in 2024, investor interest remains strong.
Looking abroad
Auntea Jenny says its proceeds from the IPO, which raised $35 million, will be used to strengthen its digital infrastructure and supply chain and to fund international expansion. The company plans to grow its presence in Malaysia from 30 to 100 stores this year and will open its first U.S. flagship in New York next week, with further targets in Australia, South Korea and Europe.
Filipino immigrant wins Canada’s largest-ever lottery jackpot, pledges to help others
Justin Simporios, a Filipino immigrant in British Columbia has won the largest individual lottery prize in Canadian history, claiming the entire $80 million Canadian dollars ($57 million) Lotto Max jackpot from the May 9 draw. The 35-year-old resident of Surrey became an instant multi-millionaire after purchasing a Quick Pick ticket at a Walmart in Central Surrey while shopping for hamburger ingredients.
A life-changing ticket
Simporios said he usually buys tickets only when the jackpot exceeds $40 million Canadian dollars. On the night of the draw, he checked the British Columbia Lottery Corporation (BCLC) website and saw that the winning ticket had been sold in Surrey.
After comparing his numbers under a flashlight while his daughter slept, he realized he had matched all seven. He immediately woke his wife to share the life-changing news.
A historic win
The BCLC confirmed Simporios was the sole winner of the May 9 draw. The winning numbers were 06, 10, 16, 17, 30, 38 and 48. The prize marks the largest individual lottery payout in Canadian history.
Plans for the future
Simporios, who has lived in Surrey for four years, resigned from his job at a logistics company before the win was publicly announced. He plans to use his newfound wealth to buy a home, help his mother retire early, pay off his sister's medical school debt and support local charities.
“I’m an immigrant. I came from a poor country. Like, this money’s a lot, right? I’ve been struggling. I’m a father. I work full time,” Simporios said.
"This is so much money for us … I really want to give back to the community as much as I can,” he added.
He also hopes to take his family on a long-awaited visit to the Philippines and fulfill a personal dream of watching Los Angeles Lakers star LeBron James play in person.
Filipino Austrian Johannes Pietsch becomes the first Asian winner of Eurovision
Filipino Austrian singer Johannes Pietsch, known professionally as JJ, won the 69th Eurovision Song Contest on May 17 in Basel, Switzerland. Pietsch became the first winner of Asian descent and secured Austria’s third victory in the competition with his performance of “Wasted Love,” a powerful contemporary ballad co-written by JJ, Teodora Špirić and Thomas Thurner.
JJ, 24, earned a total of 436 points — 258 from national juries and 178 from the public televote — with his operatic-techno ballad about unrequited love.
“It is absolutely insane, my dreams came true. It’s out of this world,” Pietsch told reporters after the win. "We say in Austria that all good things come in threes – I’m so honoured to be up there with these two. And also to be the first half-Filipino to win.”
Born in Vienna to an Austrian father and a Filipina mother, JJ spent part of his youth in Dubai before returning to Austria in 2016. He has performed with the Vienna State Opera and appeared on talent shows including “Starmania” and “The Voice UK.”
“Joy Luck Club” cast reflects on 30-year sisterhood
More than three decades after “The Joy Luck Club” premiered, cast members Tamlyn Tomita, Lauren Tom, Ming-Na Wen and Rosalind Chao reunited for an interview with Today’s Richard Lui to reflect on the film’s legacy and the enduring friendship that began on set in 1993.
Chao recalled the emotional moment she overheard her castmates bonding before their first table read while she breastfed her newborn nearby. That early connection quickly developed into a lasting sisterhood, maintained through decades of support and an active group chat.
“It’s quite extraordinary to have four actresses, that are around the same age and all vying for the same roles … to never feel like we’re in competition with each other,” Wen said. “It’s like, if you’re supposed to get the role, you get the role and we’re always so supportive and so happy for each other.”
The actresses, who were honored with the Cultural Icon Award at the Committee of 100’s annual Conference & Gala last month in Los Angeles, also spoke about how the film continues to resonate across generations, with Tomita sharing that many viewers now watch it with their children. A sequel to “The Joy Luck Club” is currently in development, with original cast members returning to continue the story of the next generation.
Filipino talents lead the newest “Final Destination” hit
Filipino actors Kaitlyn Santa Juana and Teo Briones star as siblings in "Final Destination: Bloodlines," the sixth installment in the enduring horror franchise, which premiered in theaters on May 16.
New leads in a legacy franchise
Santa Juana portrays Stefani Reyes, a college student plagued by visions linked to a 1968 tower collapse that her grandmother narrowly escaped. Briones plays her younger brother, Charlie Reyes. Together, they confront a deadly force targeting their family. This sibling dynamic introduces a fresh perspective to the series' theme of evading death's design.
Cultural authenticity on screen
Santa Juana, a Filipino Canadian actress, collaborated with directors Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein to authentically depict Filipino family dynamics in the film. Briones, a Filipino American actor known for his role in "Chucky," brings depth to the story through his portrayal of Charlie.
“What’s so interesting about sharing Filipino culture with the world is that it’s so family-oriented,” Santa Juana told ABS-CBN. “A win for us is a win for our whole community. It really does feel like a celebration of every Filipino across the board.”
Box office success and critical reception
"Final Destination: Bloodlines" achieved a franchise-best opening weekend, grossing $51.6 million domestically and $110.8 million worldwide. Critics have praised the film for its inventive death sequences and emotional depth, with The Hollywood Reporter noting its "ingeniously designed, diabolical Rube Goldberg-style fatalities."
Ben Wang’s star continues to rise as he’s cast in next “Hunger Games” film
Ben Wang has been cast in “Sunrise on the Reaping,” the sixth installment in “The Hunger Games” universe based on author Suzanne Collins’ latest bestselling novel.
Who’s in: Wang is set to play Wyatt Callow, a male tribute from District 12 alongside lead star Joseph Zada’s Haymitch Abernathy. They are joined by Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove Baird, Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner, Lili Taylor as Mags, Maya Hawke as Wiress, Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Beetee, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Jesse Plemons as Plutarch Heavensbee and Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow. The film, which follows “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” revisits Panem 24 years before the events of “The Hunger Games,” starting on the morning of the reaping of the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell.
About Wang: Wang, 25, is best known for his role as Jin Wang in Disney Plus’ “American Born Chinese” opposite Academy Award winners Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan. He will next appear in Sony’s “Karate Kid: Legends” on May 30, snagging the role after a global search that reportedly amassed 10,000 submissions. He will also star in Lionsgate’s “The Long Walk” by Francis Lawrence, who is also helming “Sunrise on the Reaping.”
Jackie Chan vows to do his own stunts “until the day I retire, which is never”
Martial arts legend Jackie Chan, 71, has reaffirmed his lifelong commitment to performing his own stunts, stating in a recent interview that he has no intention of stopping — ever.
“Of course, I always do my own stunts. It’s who I am,” Chan said in an interview with Haute Living. “That’s not changing until the day I retire, which is never!”
The Hong Kong action icon, whose career spans more than six decades, shared that after 64 years in the industry, he no longer requires physical preparation thanks to years of built-in muscle memory and experience.
While he acknowledged that modern special effects can enhance action scenes, he emphasized that they often lack the realism and danger of practical stunt work. Chan also advised against emulating his high-risk approach, saying it is far too dangerous for others to attempt.
Chan is set to return to the big screen in “Karate Kid: Legends,” reprising his role as Mr. Han alongside Ralph Macchio and Ben Wang. The film is scheduled for release on May 30.
Something special is happening in the heart of NYC…
Hey creators and founders — we’re putting together something meaningful next week in the heart of NYC.
It’s an intimate experience centered around mental wellness, identity, and real connection.
Here’s a glimpse of what to expect:
Honest conversations about burnout, boundaries, and creative pressure
Wellness moments like sound baths and mindfulness exercises
Interactive installations and curated self-care stations
Light bites, drinks, and space to connect with likeminded creatives
Seating is extremely limited, but we’re opening up a few extra spots for our community.
If you’re interested in being part of this, reply to this email or click below to learn more.
👉 Mental Health Summit Interest Form
Short film “Ayo, Check Up!” hits hard with basketball and brotherhood
“Ayo, Check Up!,” a gritty new short film set on a streetball court, premiered May 18 on Omeleto’s YouTube channel, turning a routine game into a raw look at friendship, masculinity and mental health.
Directed by Nathan Xia, “Ayo, Check Up!” follows two friends whose one-on-one basketball match spirals into a tense, emotional confrontation. Backed by executive producers Jeremy Lin, Craig Smith, Sy Huq and NextShark’s Benny Luo, the project made its debut at the UNINTERRUPTED Film Festival and has been picked up by Urbanworld and San Diego International festivals.
Watch the full film on Omeleto via this link.