Preserving Asian Cinema
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced the creation of the Janet Yang Endowment to Celebrate and Preserve Asian and AAPI Filmmaking
The Rebel Yellow - Issue #75
Kamala Harris appeared to rebuke Elon Musk’s comments on empathy at a global conference in Australia, while a former Asian American reality star turned fringe reporter stirred controversy inside the White House press room. Federal authorities indicted two Pakistani nationals for running a visa fraud ring in Texas. Meanwhile, COVID-19 continues to surge across Asia, a Chinese American aviation pioneer is being honored for AANHPI Heritage Month, and new developments span AI, entertainment, and Asian representation in Hollywood and global politics.
Kamala Harris takes apparent swipe at Elon Musk over empathy comments
In March, the Tesla CEO called empathy “the fundamental weakness of western civilization”
Former Vice President Kamala Harris appeared to criticize Elon Musk over the weekend, challenging his previous claim that empathy represents a fundamental weakness of Western civilization.
What she said
Harris, whose political future remains uncertain, made her comments at the 2025 Australian Real Estate Conference on the Gold Coast on Sunday. Without directly naming Musk, she cited someone with “this misplaced idea” that the sign of a leader’s strength is whoever they beat down, offering a flat rebuttal.
“There was someone that is very popular these days, at least in the press, who suggested that it is a sign of weakness of western civilizations to have empathy,” she said. “Imagine. No, it’s a sign of strength to have some level of curiosity and concern and care about the wellbeing of others.”
Her remarks apparently referenced Musk’s interview with Joe Rogan in March, in which the Tesla chief described empathy as “the fundamental weakness of western civilization” and claimed that adversaries were “exploiting a bug in western civilization, which is the empathy response.”
Harris also made veiled remarks about current broader U.S. policies, urging a look back at American isolationism in the 1930s. “It’s important that we remember that history has taught us that isolation does not equal insulation,” she said.
What Musk has said about Harris
Tensions between Harris and Musk escalated during the 2024 campaign when Musk posted an AI-generated image depicting Harris as a communist with the false caption, “Kamala vows to be a communist dictator on day one.” He also amplified content suggesting only “high status males” should participate in government because women lack capacity for critical thought. Additionally, he questioned why “no one is even trying to assassinate” Biden or Harris, later removing the post and claiming it was meant as a joke.
In recent weeks, Musk has scaled back his role in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) amid declining public approval, with his involvement in a Wisconsin Supreme Court race proving counterproductive. He told an economic forum in Qatar last week, “In terms of political spending, I'm gonna do a lot less in the future.”
What’s next for Harris
Harris, who joked she is “unemployed right now” in her first visit to Australia, faces heightened speculation about her political future. Multiple sources report she is considering a 2026 California gubernatorial run, where she would likely enter as the frontrunner to replace term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom.
However, some question whether she should view the governorship as a “consolation prize” after her presidential defeat, with political columnist George Skelton noting she has remained largely silent on California’s major issues, including housing costs and homelessness. Others warn she would face California’s “jungle primary” system, in which all candidates show up on the ballot. And despite her advantages, Democratic consultant Eric Jaye said she remains “a highly polarizing figure.”
Harris is expected to announce her next steps by the end of summer.
An Asian American ex-reality star and the White House press room’s fringe turn
Cara Castronuova, a former boxer, fitness trainer and reality TV personality, now holds a high-profile position in the White House press corps as chief correspondent for Lindell TV — a fringe media outlet known for promoting election denialism and conspiracy theories. Her sycophantic commentary and softball questions relating to President Donald Trump during press briefings have prompted alarm among veteran reporters and media observers.
Shift toward disinformation
Castronuova, who is of Filipino, Chinese and Italian ancestry, first gained national attention as a boxing champion and coach on NBC’s “The Biggest Loser.” She later moved into far-right media circles during the COVID-19 pandemic by opposing public health mandates and organizing protests in New York. She co-founded Citizens Against Political Persecution, a group that promotes false claims portraying January 6 Capitol riot defendants as political prisoners.
In 2024, she ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in New York. After being removed from the GOP primary ballot, she sued the state party, alleging internal corruption. Though the campaign failed, it raised her profile within pro-Trump media and solidified her embrace of baseless election fraud narratives.
“Healthier than ever before”
Castronuova, 45, joined Lindell TV, run by MyPillow CEO Mike Lindell, in early 2025 and soon gained access to the White House briefing room. In April, she drew widespread attention for asking about Trump’s fitness plan, which critics described as promotional rather than journalistic.
“He actually looks healthier than ever before,” she said. “I'm sure everybody in this room could agree. Is he working out with Bobby Kennedy and is he eating less McDonald's?”
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt responded with a smile, agreeing that Trump “is in very good shape, as you see on a near daily basis here.” The exchange quickly spread online, drawing sharp criticism as journalists and commentators described Castronuova’s question as unprofessional, with some comparing it to state propaganda.
Proud Trump fan
Castronuova later defended her remarks in a statement to the New York Post: “I wanted to genuinely ask on behalf of the American people about the President's new fitness and diet regimen. Love him or hate him, the eyes don’t deceive. He lost weight, looks buffer and appears healthier than he did when he came into office eight years ago!”
Asked during a CNN interview whether she could hold Trump accountable, Castronuova said, “I will be able to hold 100% him to account.” When pressed to name any disagreements with the administration, she added, “I'm just overwhelmed, like, just overwhelmed with how well I perceive things to be going.”
A press corps realigned
Castronuova is part of a growing cohort of partisan media figures with no traditional journalistic training who have been granted access to a platform historically intended for holding power to account.
Alongside outlets such as Real America’s Voice and Gateway Pundit, her presence reflects the Trump administration’s redefinition of the White House press corps as a vehicle for message reinforcement rather than scrutiny.
Kash Patel praises arrests of Pakistani nationals accused of visa fraud in Texas
FBI Director Kash Patel lauded his agency’s work following the indictment of two Pakistani nationals in Texas who allegedly operated a multi-year immigration fraud scheme that exploited U.S. visa programs for financial gain.
The alleged scheme
Abdul Hadi Murshid, 39, and Muhammad Salman Nasir, 35, are accused of orchestrating a years-long scheme to help foreign nationals illegally obtain U.S. visas and green cards through fraudulent means. Their operation allegedly targeted EB-2, EB-3 and H-1B visa programs by publishing fake job ads in newspapers to meet federal requirements for hiring American workers first. Court documents reportedly detail how the defendants collected money from foreigners and then returned some funds disguised as salary payments to create the illusion of legitimate employment. This allowed them to obtain bogus labor certifications and subsequently file immigration petitions for visas and permanent residency cards.
Both men, who are originally from Pakistan and residing in Texas, were charged on May 23. The charges include conspiracy to defraud the U.S., visa fraud, money laundering conspiracy and violations of racketeering laws. Murshid and Nasir are additionally accused of illegally obtaining U.S. citizenship.
What officials are saying
Patel commended the “major arrests” of his agency in an X post. “Well done to our FBI teams and partners in the investigation,” he wrote in part.
In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Chad E. Meacham characterized the alleged crimes as extensive. “Pursuing criminal charges to deter and punish this type of flagrant disregard for the lawful immigration process is a top priority of this Office,” he noted.
Detention hearings have been set for May 30. If convicted, the defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison, with Murshid also facing potential denaturalization if found guilty of unlawfully obtaining U.S. citizenship.
AANHPI Heritage: Katherine Sui Fun Cheung
Remembering the 1st Chinese American woman pilot licensed in the U.S.
In 1932, Katherine Sui Fun Cheung became the first Chinese American woman to earn a pilot’s license in the U.S., breaking racial and gender barriers in the field of aviation. At a time when only about 1% of U.S. pilots were women, Cheung's achievement marked a significant milestone.
From music to aviation: Born on Dec. 12, 1904, in Enping, Guangdong province, China, Cheung immigrated to the U.S. in 1921 to study music. Her fascination with aviation began while watching planes at Dycer Airport in Los Angeles. In 1931, she enrolled in flight training at the Chinese Aeronautical Association and completed her first solo flight after 12.5 hours of instruction. On March 30, 1932, she received her private pilot's license.
“I don't see any valid reason why a Chinese woman can't be as good a pilot as anyone else ... We drive automobiles — why not fly airplanes?” Cheung once said.
Airshow acclaim: Cheung quickly gained recognition for her aerobatic skills, performing stunts such as loops and barrel rolls at airshows along the California coast. Her performances garnered support from the Chinese American community, which raised funds to purchase a Fleet biplane for her. In 1935, she joined the Ninety-Nines, an international organization of women pilots founded by Amelia Earhart.
A dream deferred: Cheung aspired to establish a flight school in China to train women pilots. However, her plans were halted in 1937 when her cousin died in a crash while test-flying her newly purchased Ryan ST-A plane. Following the tragedy and at her father's urging, she promised to stop flying, eventually retiring from aviation.
Legacy and recognition: During World War II, Cheung contributed to the war effort as a flight instructor and later operated a flower shop until her retirement in 1970. She passed away on Sept. 2, 2003, at the age of 98. Her legacy is honored by institutions such as the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum and the Museum of Chinese in America.
China hosts world’s first humanoid robot fighting match
China staged the world’s first humanoid robot fighting match in Hangzhou on Sunday, local time, marking a major leap in its robotics and AI ambitions.
Held under the China Media Group (CMG) World Robot Competition - Mecha Fighting Series, the event featured robots from Unitree Robotics performing hook punches, spin kicks and self-recovery after falls while being remotely operated by human teams. “The robots fight in a human-machine collaborative way,” Unitree’s Chen Xiyun told the Global Times.
“AI Strategist,” operated by Lu Xin, emerged as the champion of the tournament. After defeating “Silk Artisan” with a decisive knee blow in the semifinals, “AI Strategist” went on to dominate the final match against “Energy Guardian,” securing knockouts in all three rounds. The event was live-streamed globally, featuring expert commentary on robotic motion control and real-time decision-making.
A full-sized humanoid combat tournament is scheduled for December in Shenzhen as China accelerates its push into AI-powered entertainment.
“Tamagotchi vape” dies if you stop puffing
A satirical device called the Vape-o-Gotchi links a virtual pet's survival to the user's vaping habits — puff to keep it alive.
How it works: Developed by Rebecca Xun and Lucia Camacho for New York University's "Stupid Hackathon" in February, the device combines an Elf Bar BC5000 vape with a screen displaying a Tamagotchi-style pet. The pet stays healthy when the user vapes. If the user stops, it deteriorates and eventually "dies." The creators reversed their original concept — intended to discourage vaping — for comedic effect.
Why it matters: The device ties physical nicotine use to a digital reward system, demonstrating a literal interaction between vaping and gameplay mechanics. "Originally, the idea was to do this for good, because I would like to quit vaping," Xun told The Times. "But it's more fun and more stupid if we use this power and harness it for evil and make myself more addicted."
What's next: Xun and Camacho said they are developing a "good mode" where the pet would react negatively to overuse. They signaled that they may also publish the design online for others to recreate it.
How Janet Yang is preserving the future of Asian cinema
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recently announced the creation of the Janet Yang Endowment to Celebrate and Preserve Asian and AAPI Filmmaking, honoring the first Asian American president of the Academy whose leadership has helped transform Hollywood’s approach to diversity and global representation.
A trailblazer’s legacy
Janet Yang, 68, made history in 2022 when she became the first Asian American elected as president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — a role that positioned her at the forefront of the organization’s evolution toward greater inclusivity.
The endowment bearing her name represents a commitment to celebrating Asian and AAPI filmmakers’ contributions while providing essential funding for preservation efforts and programming at the Academy Museum. The fund will ensure that Asian cinema receives the recognition and preservation it deserves in perpetuity.
“As the Academy continues to expand its global presence, the future of our non-profit cultural institution is strengthened by deepening our reach and impact with the international film community, including Asian and AAPI communities,” Yang says. “I am so honored that this endowment will support the preservation of international cinema and the education of future generations of filmmakers, cinephiles and filmgoers.”
Global transformation, authentic storytelling
Yang’s impact on the Academy extends far beyond her historic presidency, fundamentally reshaping how the organization approaches international cinema. “One of our proudest accomplishments is how much more global our organization has become in recent years,” Yang tells The Rebel Yellow. “It started with bringing in more international members. We placed our focus abroad, on those who were extremely accomplished but had simply been overlooked. We also attended more international film festivals which gave us the opportunity to do more direct outreach.”
The results of this global outreach have been immediately visible in the Academy’s recognition patterns. “In recent years, practically every awards category has featured non-U.S. based nominees, and international films are recognized in some of the most competitive categories,” Yang recalls.
Despite this progress, Yang remains candid about persistent challenges facing Asian creatives in Hollywood. “The biggest challenge today is that Asians and Asian Americans are not in positions to greenlight movies or TV shows,” she notes. “So often what is finally made is the fantasy or perception on the part of non-Asians of what audiences want to see without recognizing what is truly authentic storytelling.”
Expanding narratives and hidden gems
Yang points out that while the industry has made strides in financing and representation, true decision-making power remains elusive. “We have certainly made progress in the areas of talent development, representation and even some financing. But we are still not decision makers. This fact has not at all changed over the decades,” she says.
On the subject of untold stories, she advocates for moving beyond familiar genres that have found success. “We are still seeing many romcoms, thanks to ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ and martial arts pics, thanks to ‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,’” she explains. “There are so many other genres, kinds of stories and casting possibilities that can and need to be explored. Please let me show rather than tell.”
Yang also highlights overlooked films deserving recognition. She praises Alan Yang’s “Tigertail” starring Christine Ko as “deeply moving,” saying she does not believe it received the attention it deserves. She also commends Adele Lim’s “Joy Ride” for “outstanding performances from some of our favorite actresses” and observes it making “some very bold moves.” Finally, she expresses admiration for Destin Daniel Cretton, saying he “can do no wrong in my book” and calling his earlier film “Short Term 12” a “gem.”
The Academy Museum continues its commitment to Asian cinema with ongoing exhibitions, including “Director’s Inspiration: Bong Joon Ho,” which runs through Jan. 10, 2027.
Golden Globe nominee Dolly de Leon joins “Avatar: The Last Airbender”
Filipina actress Dolly de Leon has joined the cast of Netflix’s live-action adaptation of “Avatar: The Last Airbender,” taking on the dual roles of Lo and Li in its upcoming second season.
De Leon, who gained international acclaim and a Golden Globe nomination for her role in “Triangle of Sadness” (2022), said she was thrilled to play the twin advisors to Princess Azula of the Fire Nation. “It’s my first time to play twins, which is the best fun in a creative process. It’s a dream come true,” she told the Inquirer.
Lo and Li are known for their stoic presence and synchronized speech, playing a subtle yet influential role in shaping Azula’s strategic decisions. The series has also cast Filipino American actor Jon Jon Briones as Master Piandao.
Production for Season 2 wrapped this month, with Season 3 already underway. Netflix has not yet announced the release date for Season 2.
Eurovision’s first Asian winner urges Israel's exclusion from 2026 contest
Filipino Austrian singer Johannes Pietsch, winner of Eurovision 2025, has called for Israel to be banned from next year's competition due to its ongoing military actions in Gaza.
“I believe Israel should be excluded from Eurovision,” Pietsch told El País. “It was already hard for me to accept that they were allowed to participate this year.”
The artist, known professionally as JJ, made the statement following his victory with the song “Wasted Love.” He also criticized the European Broadcasting Union for blocking his attempt to display an LGBTQ+ flag on stage and called the contest’s voting system “opaque.”
Austria’s Jewish community leader Oskar Deutsch criticized JJ for “joining the chorus of Israel-haters.”
Following backlash, JJ’s team issued a statement saying, “I am sorry if my words were misunderstood,” and adding he condemns “all forms of violence against civilians ... be it against Israelis or Palestinians.”
BTS member has most-liked Instagram post of 2025
BTS’ V has broken records once again — this time with the most-liked post on Instagram so far into the year.
South Korea’s MBC News confirmed Monday that the K-pop star’s Feb. 23 Instagram post had surpassed 16.4 million likes, overtaking Billie Eilish and Cristiano Ronaldo to claim the top global spot for 2025. The 12-photo carousel gave fans a rare look into his military life and now bulked-up physique, showing him in uniform, holding a bouquet of flowers and wearing a teddy bear ear hat beside a snowman. The post reportedly hit 10 million likes in just 11 hours.
“Sergeant Kim, I’m here to report my survival! This is D-107. The very scary winter has passed and the warm spring has arrived. Take care of yourself and prepare for it in good health. I’ll come see you soon,” V, whose real name is Kim Tae-hyung, wrote in Korean.
V and RM are scheduled for discharge on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on June 11. Suga will finish his term on June 21, completing all seven BTS members’ mandatory military service and bringing fans closer to a full group comeback.
“Lumpia Queen” wins food creator of the year at WIBA 2025
Abi Marquez, a 24-year-old Filipino social media star dubbed the “Lumpia Queen,” won food creator of the year at the 2025 World Influencers and Bloggers Awards in Cannes on May 23. Marquez shared the moment on Instagram: “WON Food Creator of the Year at the WIBA Awards during the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.” Reflecting on the honor, she added, “Still CRAZY to me that I'm in Europe for the first time and recognized for what my team and I have built with love.” She attended the event in a spaghetti-inspired Filipiniana gown and thanked fans, saying, “You helped Filipino food be seen across the globe.”