The 2019 Unforgettable Gala W/ Greta Lee, Miyavi, and More! (Part 2)
Check out the first set of interviews from the Unforgettable Gala here!
AMANDA NGUYEN (Human Rights Activist, CEO of Rise)
Q: How does it feel to be here and just see all these Asians and Asian-Americans come together to celebrate their talent and recognition in the industry?
A: Representation is super critical. It’s always critical in not only having our stories told, but in the policies that affect us, so I’m thrilled, I couldn’t be more thrilled to be here.
Q: You’re also presenting today, how does that feel?
A: I am so thrilled to be introducing a dear friend of mine her name is Connie Lim. She’s a brilliant artist and human being and I can’t wait to show everybody that.
Q: You also have a nonprofit, can you tell us a little bit about that?
A: Yes, it’s called Rise, we just reached our 5th anniversary, our 5th birthday. Rise helps people in their own communities be empowered, find their own voices, and write their own laws. We have helped people write 28 laws and we are impacting 72 million people so far.
Q: What can we expect from you and your whole organization in the coming new year?
A: We’re focused right now on taking our work to the next level so a world wide survivor resolution. It’s through the United Nations; the UN general assembly has never before passed a resolution on survivors of sexual violence and it impacts at least 1.3 billion people. Headlines across the world consistently talk about how rape survivors in other countries don’t feel they have dignity or access to justice and that’s truly important. Justice should not depend on geography so our resolution for 2020 and our vision is to pass this worldwide resolution so that survivors no matter where they’re from or who they are, know that they deserve dignity and access to justice
DIANE PARAGAS (Director, Yellow Rose)
Q: Seeing how this whole event came together, what are your thoughts about it?
A: I think it’s amazing to see on the red carpet how many people are breaking through in so many different areas. The new star of Blue’s Clues, who’s Filipino, is right there and then Nico Santos, who just got nominated for a golden globe, and Adele Lim, who wrote Crazy Rich Asians, and people who are just making so much cultural impact. We’re all here together and presenting a unified front and so I think that’s really important.
Q: You directed Yellow Rose and how was that process like for you?
A: It took a long time to get it financed and made, but when we did make it, it couldn’t have come at a better time. We are proud to say that we are being released by a major Hollywood studio by Sony Pictures and it’s just incredible.
Q: As an Asian/Asian American, how does it feel coming to an event that recognizes and celebrates Asian-American talent?
A: I think it’s so important to stick together and to stand beside each other. Gabrielle Union just stood up for JLo, fired for it, but it’s just important to show unity and to just present a unified forefront.
Q: Now that the new decade is coming in, what can we expect from you?
A: I’m working on a lot of different projects, and talking to a bunch of studios and we’re very excited.
Q: Any teasers?
A: I’m writing a film called Lizards in the Attic that takes place during World War 2 in the Philippines and it’s about the birth of a nation and American colonialism.
EMERSON MIN (Always Be My Maybe)
Q: You were in Always Be My Maybe, how was that experience for you?
A: It was a really amazing experience working with Ali Wong and Randall Park and just connecting with them and being able to portray their younger selves.
Q: As Asian American, how does it feel to come to this event that recognizes and celebrates Asian-American talent?
A: It feels great because I feel inspired that other people can do what I do and take it to another level, that I can go to that level too, and just have a role model basically to look up to and hopefully be one too one day.
Q: Who are your role models here tonight?
A: Ali Wong definitely and Randall Park of course. Awkwafina is also a really big role model because she’s been really successful and I think that it’s just overall amazing to have Asian-Americans on screen. There’s a lot more, but too many to name.
GRETA LEE (Russian Doll)
Q: This year, you were on the show Russian Doll and it got renewed for a second season, so how has that experience, working on the show and then seeing the reactions to it?
A: Oh my god, it’s totally surreal. You never know what’s going to resonate with people and what’s not. I’ve been doing this for some time now and it just never gets old how surprising it is what people really grab onto and this is one of those shows and yeah, it’s awesome.
Q: As Asian/Asian American, how does it feel to come to an event that celebrates and recognizes the talents of Asian/Asian American actors?
A: It’s so great and it’s so necessary. I feel that with everything going on right now with Nora’s nomination for The Farewell, this is such a moment and it would be such a shame if we didn’t stop and acknowledge and celebrate what’s happening. We can always say that we need more progress, but we should stop and be able to acknowledge what we have right now and I think that’s important.
Q: The decade is coming to an end and we’re going into a new one, what can we expect from you?
A: Upcoming, I’m writing a few features and, most importantly, we got a show in development with HBO called K-Town, and then we also got Russian Doll.
LIZZY CAPRI (Asian American Youtuber)
Q: How does it feel to come to an event that recognizes Asian and Asian American talent, as an Asian-American yourself?
A: It’s definitely really surreal. Growing up I didn’t have a lot of role models to look up to because they were definitely underrepresented, especially in mainstream media. When I found Youtube, I found a lot of Asian influencers that I was able to look up to and it’s what has opened up that this is a possibility for me and so now I’m a YouTuber and that’s pretty cool.
Q: That is cool! So who would you say, from who’s coming tonight, has influenced you?
A: Definitely recently Ali Wong. I just think it’s so cool to see a female comedian be that successful. I think it’s really difficult in the entertainment industry for females, let alone an Asian female, so she’s definitely been a huge inspiration and I’m excited to see her.
Q: So we’re coming into a decade, what can fans expect from you, your videos, and your whole channel?
A: I’m definitely going to step up my game and I’m so motivated. You know how when the New Year rolls around everyone is like super motivated? So I’m really excited to step up my content and push out more stuff. I think next year is going to be a good one.
MIYAVI (Japanese Guitarist, Singer/Songwriter, Actor)
Q: How do you feel being here?
A: Well I’m here to perform tonight. Soundcheck was long so I’m trying to recover, also I flew in just yesterday from Tokyo, because I’m on my Japan tour right now.
Q: How has your tour been so far?
A: Great! I also had a tour in the U.S. too, where I played at Dodger stadium and did the national anthem. I had a show in New York, Chicago, San Antonio, Tuscan - lots of cities in America, Europe, and now Japan tour.
Q: How does it feel coming to an event that recognizes and celebrates Asian and Asian American talent, as Asian yourself?
A: I’ve been saying that this year has been a memorable and remarkable year. 2019 has been breaking through with Asian artists and creators around the whole world. So to me, of course I’m honored to be here, and this is just the beginning to getting more diversity in this whole world. Not only Asians too. And that is all made through culture - music, movies, fashion - those are luxuries to get through with life. These cultural things have major potential in the world to bring people together, so to me I’m so happy to see so many Asian artists and their art breaking through. In a good way, the market is shifting so that there is a better balance. So I think/hope that culture can solidify and bring people together.
Q: What can we expect from you in the new decade?
A: I have no idea. 10 years ago I never expected to be here. I was just playing guitar every night and then I just became an actor thanks to my big sister Angelina Jolie, who’s a strong creator, actress, and humanitarian, so to me you never know what’s going to happen in the future. In every single year, every single moment you just got to do your best and dedicate yourself.
Q: What about 2020?
A: The Olympics are coming and so many people are going to come to Japan, so Japan is ready to host the whole world. It’s also important to show how we unite through sports. To me as Japanese, I’m really glad to see how we show ourselves to the whole world.
RICH TING (Warrior, The Man in the High Castle)
Q: How does it feel to experience the Gala again?
A: Well this is my second time here and last time it was epic because we were promoting season 1 of Warrior. Now we come back and I’m talking about The Man in the High Castle season 4. But the overall magnitude and the scale has grown. And in just one year. Last year, it was just like “Oh, we’re going to have Crazy Rich Asians there; we’re going to have Warrior there;” John Cho was also there to celebrate his movie Searching, and that was pretty much it. Now, we have so many more things going on! I think in a year that’s pretty tremendous, that the turn around can be that crazy, so it’s great because the community is small but now everyone is here. We’re all in the discussion, we’re all doing things, we’re all contributing, and we’re all pushing for diversity.
Q: How has it been seeing the growth of diversity, especially being in the industry for so long?
A: I think there’s a typical story for a lot of us that have been in it for a while. In the beginning, we’re only getting certain roles where we’re only getting called in for certain things. My biggest wins now are when I book things that they never even thought about having an Asian guy do it. When they think, “you know let’s bring Rich in,” and I end up getting the job, while having a weird name that doesn’t correspond to my look – that’s when I know that casting producers, writers, showrunners are all open to diversity now. It shows in the whole process and that’s all that we want. We’re in the building, they just need to take a look at us.
Q: You mentioned you’re on the 4th season of The Man in the High Castle, how has that experience been, working in that series, and seeing the reactions?
A: We’re at the fourth and final season of Amazon’s first Emmy award-winning show. My whole thing going into it was “Okay just don’t screw it up.” It’s not an easy show to watch, it’s not something you can just have on in the background, you have to stick with it. It’s a historical documentary of this alternative universe so you kind of have to be a loyal fan. So coming onto that I knew that all the fans and followers were going to be like “Okay who’s this new character? What’s he about?” and I knew I had to come right and make sure I had everything dialed in. At the same time the cast is so professional, so welcoming and warm, that it was too much of an easy fit to be honest, and that’s what got me nervous because it felt too comfortable.
Q: Now that we’re going into a new decade, what can we expect from you?
A: As great as 2018-2019 has been, I’m really excited for 2020 because 1) I’ll be coming out in CBS’ new show called Tommy, playing opposite Edie Falco, and I get to play a character I’ve been wanting to play. I can’t say it yet, but he’s vulnerable, sensitive, romantic, and it’s great. On the same token, I get to go back to my action drama and I’m actually working with Jeff Bridges right now on his new FX show called The Old Man, which we start principal photography in January. We’ve been prepping since November, which is kind of insane because we’re basically approaching it as a feature film, with Jeff Bridges as the lead and John Lithgow. I’m also number one on a Western cowboy feature film, where I’m the main cowboy and I’m blowing up stuff, and it’s cool because Warrior kind of touched on that, but in this one, I’m on the horse with a hat on and that’s that.