★ M.A.R.A.★

Where in the world is Coach Ken Tanaka?

It appears that Fox hit series, Glee, will be saying goodbye to Coach Ken Tanaka, played by Patrick Gallagher. 

News sources report today that Coach Ken Tanaka is missing from the episodes of the second season. 

The series is introducing a new football coach, Shannon Bestie, who will be played by Dot Jones, to rival Jane Lynch’s Sue Sylvester. 

More here and here.








Thanks to Mary Ann for submitting the news tip
Other Keywords: Patrick Gallagher, Coach Ken Tanaka, Emma Pilsbury, Asian coach on glee, famous asians, famous asian actors, famous hapas, chinese irish

A Mets Starter in Hisanori Takahashi after keeping the Yankees at Bay for 6 innings

Scattering five hits, allowing no runs in 6 innings, and lasting 101 pitches in last night’s game against the NY Yankees in Queens’ Citifield, Hisanori Takahashi earns himself a starter spot in the Met’s’ pitching rotation. 

Born 4/2/75 in Tokyo, Japan, the 5’10 left hander reveals: “It’s kind of my goal to be here as a starting pitcher and stick with the major leagues…So I’m happy about it.”

Yankees v. Mets series, May 21-23, 2010, Citifield, Queens NY
Game 1: Friday, Yanks win 2-1
Game 2: Saturday, 7pm, Fox - I’m going!
Game 3: Sunday, 8pm, ESPN


(L) Takahashi gets a shake and a rotation spot from pitching coach Dan Warthen after a solid 6 innings against the Yankees Friday night [via: Simmons/News; Al Bello/Getty Images]


Sources: nj.com, nydailynews, mlb
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Dancing with Asians: Carrie Ann, Cheryl, Nicole, and Brooke

Dancing With the Stars rocks the 10th season with 4 Asian females

Carrie Ann Inaba - judge - of Japanese, Chinese, and Irish descent; grew up in Honolulu, Hawaii
Cheryl Burke - dancer - Filipino, Irish, Russian
Nicole Scherzinger - contestant - lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls - Filipino, Hawaiian/Russian
Brooke Burke - DWTS 10th season co-host (suspected Asian on maternal side i.e. not confirmed) and DWTS 7th season champion

Gorgeous Nicole Scherzinger, with partner Derek Hough, brought lightning to their Grease themed pasa doble number last night (5-11-10), which earned them a perfect score.   


Cheryl Burke with dance partner, ??, on April 9, 2010. 


Carrie Ann with her DWTS co-judges


Brooke Burke with DWTS 10th season co-host Tom Bergeron

More pics of …
Nicole Scherzinger
Brooke Burke

Other Keywords: dancing with the stars, asian females on dwts, famous asian females on dwts, famous filipinos. famous asians
Sources: IMDB, Cheryl Burke’s website, ivillage, abc.com

Female Director & Lead Actress win!

Announced Sunday, April 25th, 2010 - Writer, Director, Executive Producer, MTV and HBO veteran, Cynthia Hsiung, won the Boston International Film Festival’s Indie Spirit Best Director Award for her film Are You For Great Sex?  Lead actress of the film, Jessica Caban, won the Indie Spirit Best Actress Award.  ROCK ON GURRRLS!!!


Are You For Great Sex lead actress Jessica Caban, writer/director/exec producer, Cynthia Hsiung, and lead actor Walter Vincent at the TriBeCa Grand Hotel private screening, New York City in February 2010.  [Photo by Phil Nee]

Hsiung revealed that the feedback she received on the film was not only full of accolades, but also full of personal and private experiences.  People divulged stories they hadn’t shared with anyone else and thanked her for making them feel less alone.  In turn, Hsiung felt honored and privileged to be on the receiving end of such personal accounts.  That Hsiung was able to ellicit such a reaction from her audience with her movie is perhaps one of the reasons why this film is a must see.  

I will only tell you that it’s based on a true romance between two lovers with an undeniable sexual chemistry.  It’s pretty delicious.  I’ll leave you with one clip from the movie below.  I found the best way to see this movie is to know as little about it as possible ahead of time.  Like a virgin, touched for the very first time : ) I made it through the wilderness…


Keep your eyes peeled for Are You For Great Sex? in the film festival circuit this spring and summer.  I will be posting updates and more info about Cynthia Hsiung as more news arises.  For now I’m going to say ROCK ON and CONGRATS! to the multi-talented, Queens raised female writer/director of Chinese descent.

 


Thanks to Cynthia for giving me the first exclusive online interview!
Other Sources: IMDB, BIFF
Other keywords: famous asians, famous asian, asian female directors, boston international film festival, BIFF

Liu Wen, Estee Lauder’s First Asian Face

[via Imaxtree]

NEW YORK, Apr 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) —The Estée Lauder brand today announced that it has signed two of fashion’s brightest runway and editorial stars as new global faces of Estée Lauder. French model Constance Jablonski and Chinese model Liu Wen will join Estée Lauder’s roster of global beauties - Hilary Rhoda, Carolyn Murphy, Elizabeth Hurley and Gwyneth Paltrow - and debut in its global advertising campaigns beginning June 2010.

The signing of Constance marks the first time Estée Lauder has signed a French model, and the signing of Liu Wen marks the first time the brand has signed a Chinese model. Over the years, models in Estée Lauder’s global campaigns have hailed from the U.S. (Karen Graham, Willow Bay, Carolyn Murphy, Gwyneth Paltrow, Hilary Rhoda), the U.K. (Elizabeth Hurley), Czech Republic (Paulina Porizkova), Poland (Anja Rubik) and Ethiopia (Liya Kebede).

“Estée Lauder has always searched for global beauties that define a generation,” said Aerin Lauder, Senior Vice President, Creative Director, Estée Lauder. “Constance and Liu Wen are the beauties of our time. Both models have quickly captured the attention of the fashion and beauty world.”

“We are thrilled to introduce Constance and Liu Wen to women around the world,” said Jane Hertzmark Hudis, Global Brand President, Estée Lauder. “Both models have the style and confidence that reflects Estée Lauder’s modern vision of global beauty.”

More on Liu Wen

-Wen as the 1st Asian to walk the Victoria’s Secret runway (Dec 2009)
-More modeling pics
-Short bio


Info via
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A standing ovation & a warm homecoming for Matsui at Yankee Stadium

Tuesday, April 13, 2010, about 1pm - In case you missed it - Here’s the link to a short video of Hideki Matsui receiving his 2009 World Series ring along with the rest of the Yankees about 2 hours ago. (Video, the write up, the build up, and Yankee & New York pride got me all choked up).

After a few months’ slump and an injury in the 2009 season, Matsui’s top notch performance during the Series was the perfect culmination to his Yankee career.  Matsui was a dependable and consistent hitter and player.  Yankee captain, Derek Jeter said:

“I’m sure everyone’s heard me say it, but he’s been one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with,” Jeter said in anticipation of the event. “He’s professional, he comes out here every single day ready to play, he never makes excuses whether he’s not feeling good or he’s feeling great. He goes out there and he plays.

“One thing you remember is when he broke his wrist, he apologized to his team for breaking his wrist. I’d never seen that before. I think it’s only fitting that he’s here for Opening Day and I’m sure he’s going to get a well-deserved standing ovation.”

AP/Peter Morgan via ESPN

After hitting 6 of the 7 runs in the final game that won the Yanks the 2009 World Series, Matsui was named Most Valuable Player.  It was the perfect ending to his seven-year career as a Yankee.  The Yankee organization decided not to renew Matsui and Johnny Damon’s contracts for the 2010 season.  Damon is now with the Detroit Tigers. 

PS - Yanks signed pitcher Chan Ho Park (formerly of the Philadelphia Phillies, whom the Yanks beat for the World Series win last season), Nick Johnson, and Curtis Granderson. 

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Asians at the Oscars

Up won Best Animated Feature! Awesome movie.  I’ve spoken to a few people who still haven’t seen it.  Q. It. Now.  (Link to clip.  Also shown below.)

Lara Louie and husband, Best Supporting Actor Nominee for The Messenger Woody Harrelson


George Takei, whose Sulu role in the original series was played by John Cho in the 2009 film.  Star Trek was nominated for Best Visual Effects, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, and won for Best Make Up. 


Keanu Reeves smiling before presenting at the Oscars …


Keanu Reeves wearing his regular demeanor … (how is he Asian?)


Jason Reitman, nominated for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay for Up in the Air, with his wife Michelle Lee.  Lee is wearing Naeem Khan, who designed Michelle Obama’s dress for the White House’s first State Dinner. pics

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