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More Asians Rockin' America

New York Fashion Week September 2011: Click photos to see larger versions.
Also, I realize this week is the big Spring 2012 reveal; autumn is upon us, however, so I'll be posting Fall 2011 collections as well
ENJOY! NYFW


Donate: March 2011 Tohoku or Great East Japan Earthquake
(9.0 magnitude, one of the 5 most powerful earthquakes in the world, triggered a tsunami of waves reaching up to 40 meters/133ft;
Japanese Police agency confirmed 16,000 deaths, 6,000 injured, and more than 4,100 missing)

Pakistan monsoons July 2010, China earthquake April 15, 2010, Haiti earthquake Jan 12, 2010




The buzz on
Famous Asians,
Famous Filipinos
,
and exactly who is Asian
in the American spotlight
(some big surprises!)

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TV/Film Premieres,
Red Carpet,
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Special thanks to those who participated and gave input on the layout, design, and naming. Your ideas and feedback were a great help. Thank you.

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News Proposed Legislation:
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Wednesday, December 2, 2009
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Evan Low
26 years old, Campbell City Council-elected Mayor as of Tuesday December 1st, Chinese, and gay.  Talk about overcoming obstacles in Politics.  “It’s about making a difference int he community I live in,” he says.  RIGHT ON Evan Low! Quick Facts about Campbell City:
38,000-resident Silicon Valley city
Average resident age is 35
Asian Americans are the second most populous demographic in Silicon Valley 
Quick facts about Low:
Campbell City Council promoted Low from Vice Mayor to a one-year term as Mayor 
Currently obtaining MPA from San Jose State Univ (his undergrad alma mater)
Has undergrad degree in Political Science 
Attended exec program at Harvard Kennedy School of Gov’t
Works full time as Senior District Representative to Assemblyman Paul Fong, D-Sunnyvale
Lost in 2004 City Council run
Won in 2006.  Term ends 2010. 
More from SF Gate article and PassportKeywords: One of the youngest mayors, youngest Chinese mayors, openly gay politician, youngest openly gay mayor, Campbell mayor, Silicon Valley mayor, San Jose, Asian demographic, famous Asian politician, famous Asian politicians, famous Asian

Evan Low

26 years old, Campbell City Council-elected Mayor as of Tuesday December 1st, Chinese, and gay.  Talk about overcoming obstacles in Politics.  “It’s about making a difference int he community I live in,” he says.  RIGHT ON Evan Low!

Quick Facts about Campbell City:

  • 38,000-resident Silicon Valley city
  • Average resident age is 35
  • Asian Americans are the second most populous demographic in Silicon Valley

Quick facts about Low:

  • Campbell City Council promoted Low from Vice Mayor to a one-year term as Mayor
  • Currently obtaining MPA from San Jose State Univ (his undergrad alma mater)
  • Has undergrad degree in Political Science
  • Attended exec program at Harvard Kennedy School of Gov’t
  • Works full time as Senior District Representative to Assemblyman Paul Fong, D-Sunnyvale
  • Lost in 2004 City Council run
  • Won in 2006.  Term ends 2010.


More from SF Gate article and Passport


Keywords: One of the youngest mayors, youngest Chinese mayors, openly gay politician, youngest openly gay mayor, Campbell mayor, Silicon Valley mayor, San Jose, Asian demographic, famous Asian politician, famous Asian politicians, famous Asian

Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Permalink
Liu Wen
Most recently became the first Chinese (or non-mixed Asian) model to strut the Victoria’s Secret catwalk.  This Victoria’s Secret 2009 Fashion Show airs on CBS tonight Dec 1st @ 10pmET/9c. (A total of 3 mixed and non-mixed Asians heat up the runway tonight…post coming up!) 
Per Wiki:
Liu Wen was born January 27, 1988, in Yongzhou, a city in the Hunan Province of China.  Wen started her modeling career in 2005,[3] when she entered the New Silk Road World Model Contest, a contest previously won by international covergirl Du Juan.  Though she didn’t win, she began working after the contest. She became a national success when she landed the cover of Chinese FHM in the beginning her career.[3] She then started working for top Chinese fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.[3]In September 2007, Liu caught the eye of the international fashion industry when she shot a Cosmo editorial styled as designer like Karl Lagerfeld and Viktor and Rolf[1][3], and later appeared on the cover. She then was ushered to Paris in 2008, and signed with Marilyn Agency.[3]
In February of the same year, she appeared in four editorials for Chinese Vogue.[3] She debuted on the international runways in the same month, closing the fall Trussardi show in Milan, and also walked for Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Hermès.[2]
For the Spring 2009 season, she appeared in seven major campaigns[4], including DKNY Jeans, The GAP, and cKone.[4]
In 2009, Liu Wen became the first ever Chinese or non-mixed far east model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.[5]

More pics of Liu Wen in NYMagKeywords: Asian Models, Famous asian models, chinese models, first asian chinese model in victoria’s secret runwayOther Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

Liu Wen

Most recently became the first Chinese (or non-mixed Asian) model to strut the Victoria’s Secret catwalk.  This Victoria’s Secret 2009 Fashion Show airs on CBS tonight Dec 1st @ 10pmET/9c. (A total of 3 mixed and non-mixed Asians heat up the runway tonight…post coming up!)


Per Wiki:

Liu Wen was born January 27, 1988, in Yongzhou, a city in the Hunan Province of China

Wen started her modeling career in 2005,[3] when she entered the New Silk Road World Model Contest, a contest previously won by international covergirl Du Juan.  Though she didn’t win, she began working after the contest. She became a national success when she landed the cover of Chinese FHM in the beginning her career.[3] She then started working for top Chinese fashion magazines like Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.[3]


In September 2007, Liu caught the eye of the international fashion industry when she shot a Cosmo editorial styled as designer like Karl Lagerfeld and Viktor and Rolf[1][3], and later appeared on the cover. She then was ushered to Paris in 2008, and signed with Marilyn Agency.[3]


In February of the same year, she appeared in four editorials for Chinese Vogue.[3] She debuted on the international runways in the same month, closing the fall Trussardi show in Milan, and also walked for Chanel, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Hermès.[2]


For the Spring 2009 season, she appeared in seven major campaigns[4], including DKNY Jeans, The GAP, and cKone.[4]


In 2009, Liu Wen became the first ever Chinese or non-mixed far east model to walk the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.[5]








More pics of Liu Wen in NYMag



Keywords: Asian Models, Famous asian models, chinese models, first asian chinese model in victoria’s secret runway
Other Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

Sunday, November 29, 2009
Permalink
Chanel Iman
is an American fashion model of Korean and African American descent  who graces the December 2009 cover of Prestige magazine (Indonesia).
At a mere 19 years old (she turns 20 tomorrow, November 30…Happy Birthday!) Chanel Iman is propelled to top model status booking nine runways at the Spring 2010 Fashion Week in Milan (held September 2009) including Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace.  She also walked the Victoria’s Secret runway in November 2009.
Named after pioneer designer, Coco Chanel, the fiery 5’10”, size 2, cheeseburger lover struts by her own rules having her brother imprint a few tattoos on her neck and ring finger without informing her agency.
Since singing with her first and only agency Ford Models in 2006, she has booked with Issey Miyake, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Dsquared, Hermès, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, Diane von Fürstenberg, Vera Wang, Jean Paul Gaultier and Stella McCartney and has appeared in advertising campaigns for Bottega Veneta, GAP, Victoria’s Secret Pink, and United Colors of Benetton.
Keywords:  Asian models, Asian African American models, blasian models, black, Victoria’s Secret models, VS runway, Victoria’s Secret 2009Sources, info, & more photos can be found: Wiki, My Space, NYPost, JustJared, her TwitterPhotos: JustJared, MoeJ, BrownSista

Chanel Iman

is an American fashion model of Korean and African American descent who graces the December 2009 cover of Prestige magazine (Indonesia).



At a mere 19 years old (she turns 20 tomorrow, November 30…Happy Birthday!) Chanel Iman is propelled to top model status booking nine runways at the Spring 2010 Fashion Week in Milan (held September 2009) including Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana, and Versace.  She also walked the Victoria’s Secret runway in November 2009.



Named after pioneer designer, Coco Chanel, the fiery 5’10”, size 2, cheeseburger lover struts by her own rules having her brother imprint a few tattoos on her neck and ring finger without informing her agency.


Since singing with her first and only agency Ford Models in 2006, she has booked with Issey Miyake, Marc Jacobs, Valentino, Dsquared, Hermès, Michael Kors, Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, Diane von Fürstenberg, Vera Wang, Jean Paul Gaultier and Stella McCartney and has appeared in advertising campaigns for Bottega Veneta, GAP, Victoria’s Secret Pink, and United Colors of Benetton.




Keywords:  Asian models, Asian African American models, blasian models, black, Victoria’s Secret models, VS runway, Victoria’s Secret 2009
Sources, info, & more photos can be found: Wiki, My Space, NYPost, JustJared, her Twitter
Photos: JustJared, MoeJ, BrownSista

Sunday, November 22, 2009
Permalink

Efren Peñaflorida

CNN November 22, 2009—

Efren Peñaflorida, who started a “pushcart classroom” in the Philippines to bring education to poor children as an alternative to gang membership, has been named the 2009 CNN Hero of the Year.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper revealed Peñaflorida’s selection at the conclusion of the third-annual “CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute” at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood on Saturday night.

The gala event, taped before an audience of 3,000 at the Kodak Theatre, premieres on Thanksgiving, November 26, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on the global networks of CNN.

Peñaflorida, who will receive $100,000 to continue his work with the Dynamic Teen Company, was selected after seven weeks of online voting at CNN.com. More than 2.75 million votes were cast.

See a clip on Penaflorida and the “pushcart classroom” volunteers at work


MABUHAY! More on CNN.  About Penaflorida’s Dynamic Teen Company on the Asian Journal.  Dynamic Teen Company home page


Keywords: CNN Hero of the Year 2009, Efren Penaflorida, pushcart classroom, filipino heroes, filipino hero, Dynamic Teen Company
Thanks to Diana K and Carol K for the referral!

Friday, November 20, 2009
Permalink
Judith Hill
is the ROCKIN chick who sang at Michael Jackson’s memorial and was one of MJ’s back up vocalists slated for his This Is It concert tour.  Though the movie was supposed to be in theaters for two weeks only since it’s October release, the $101 million worldwide revenue over the first five opening days was enough to steer the SONY bosses to keep it out through Thanksgiving.  (Announced Nov. 1)I saw the movie last weekend and reveled in the MJ showmanship and production.  Judith Hill was a pleasant surprise.  I was stunned by the power of her voice and intrigued by the possibility that she was Asian (scroll below for specific heritage).  Hill had a duet with MJ and it was fascinating to see the process of rehearsal and how such a show becomes a show…and how such creativity emerges…
So definitely worth seeing…you might toss and turn in your seat a bit because the movie’s two hours…but stand in the side aisle and boogie if you need to…Also…probably not the best to idea to watch a movie after a night of debauchery…even if it’s after brunch…I’m just sayin’…
Judith Hill was born in LA and grew up in a family of musicians.  Her mother was an immigrant from Japan who met her African-American father in a funk band in the 70’s.  Dig it.Hill seems to look back on her bi-racial experience with love and a matured, evolved sense of appreciation: [via her website]
“I was a skinny mixed kid with a lot of hair that I didn’t know what to do with (and still don’t know what to do with it).  And my mom could not help me with it!”
She lived in a Christian home and embraced Jesus Christ at an early age.  She comments, “I had a pretty good life in my childhood.  Me and God were friends since the beginning.  That helped a lot. But, it didn’t save me from walking a path of pain and asking the deep questions of life.
I was a philosopher as a kid, and in school you could find me in the library.”  She admits that she never “fit in”.  Depending on the social circle, she was labeled “too quiet”, “too loud”, “too black”, “to asian”, or too something.  Judith expresses, “I was a traveler, kind of a drifter.  But, looking back I see how all of those experiences, friends, and cultures made me who I am today.”
A sample of her talent below…



Related Posts below “Permalink”Keywords: Asian woman in This Is It, vocalist in this is it, black asian woman in michael jackson movie, asian woman in michael jackson movie, black asian woman in mj movie, asian african american woman in this is it, woman who sang at mjs memorial, judith hill in mj memorialSources: 1, 2, 3, 4Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

Judith Hill

is the ROCKIN chick who sang at Michael Jackson’s memorial and was one of MJ’s back up vocalists slated for his This Is It concert tour.  Though the movie was supposed to be in theaters for two weeks only since it’s October release, the $101 million worldwide revenue over the first five opening days was enough to steer the SONY bosses to keep it out through Thanksgiving.  (Announced Nov. 1)



I saw the movie last weekend and reveled in the MJ showmanship and production.  Judith Hill was a pleasant surprise.  I was stunned by the power of her voice and intrigued by the possibility that she was Asian (scroll below for specific heritage).  Hill had a duet with MJ and it was fascinating to see the process of rehearsal and how such a show becomes a show…and how such creativity emerges…

So definitely worth seeing…you might toss and turn in your seat a bit because the movie’s two hours…but stand in the side aisle and boogie if you need to…


Also…probably not the best to idea to watch a movie after a night of debauchery…even if it’s after brunch…I’m just sayin’…


Judith Hill was born in LA and grew up in a family of musicians.  Her mother was an immigrant from Japan who met her African-American father in a funk band in the 70’s.  Dig it.



Hill seems to look back on her bi-racial experience with love and a matured, evolved sense of appreciation: [via her website]

“I was a skinny mixed kid with a lot of hair that I didn’t know what to do with (and still don’t know what to do with it). And my mom could not help me with it!”

She lived in a Christian home and embraced Jesus Christ at an early age. She comments, “I had a pretty good life in my childhood. Me and God were friends since the beginning. That helped a lot. But, it didn’t save me from walking a path of pain and asking the deep questions of life.

I was a philosopher as a kid, and in school you could find me in the library.” She admits that she never “fit in”. Depending on the social circle, she was labeled “too quiet”, “too loud”, “too black”, “to asian”, or too something. Judith expresses, “I was a traveler, kind of a drifter. But, looking back I see how all of those experiences, friends, and cultures made me who I am today.”


A sample of her talent below…




Related Posts below “Permalink”
Keywords
: Asian woman in This Is It, vocalist in this is it, black asian woman in michael jackson movie, asian woman in michael jackson movie, black asian woman in mj movie, asian african american woman in this is it, woman who sang at mjs memorial, judith hill in mj memorial
Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4
Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4

Thursday, November 19, 2009
Permalink

Jay Sean

is a British singer, songwriter, rapper, beat-boxer, and record producer.  He was born Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, March 28, 1981 in Hounslow, West London, England to Punjabi Sikh immigrants from India.  His first album, Me Against Myself (2004), sold more than 2 million copies in India and his second album, My Own Way (2008), topped the UK R&B chart.

His single, Down, was released in the US in May 2009 and topped the Billboard Hot 100.  He became the first solo artist of Asian origin to do so.  Click here for the video.

Sean’s 3rd album, All or Nothing, drops in the US Monday, Nov 23rd!!!



Other fun facts:  (More from Wiki)
-At 11 years old. he and his cousin formed a hip hop duo called “Compulsive Disorder”
-He was enrolled in medical school before he dropped out in 2003 to pursue a singing career
-“Sean” is derived from the punjabi “Shaan” which means shining star


See Sean perform at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Nov 26

See other scheduled performers



See Related Posts below “Permalink
Keywords: Jay Sean drops album Nov 23, Jay Sean All or Nothing, first asian to top billboard 100, guy who sings down, indian guy who sings down, what is jay sean’s ethnicity, jay sean in the thanksgiving day parade 2009, jay sean twitter
Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
Thanks to Betty G.K. for the referral!

Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Permalink
Russel from Up
Confirmed: Russel from Disney Pixar’s heartwarming, heartbreaking, inspirational Up is an Asian American character.
The character is modeled on Asian American Pixar animator, Peter Sohn (below right).  An interview excerpt from the film’s director, Pete Docter:

“There hasn’t been a lot of discussion in the media about the fact that Russell is an Asian-American, which is probably for the best. I know the character was based somewhat on Pixar’s Peter Sohn, but considering Disney has clearly pointed out that Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog” is the studio’s first African-American princess, I’m curious why the topic hasn’t come up.That’s interesting. Obviously Anglo characters have dominated most of media for a long time so it seemed to me, obviously there’s more diversity of people out there. Pete Sohn is such an entertaining character that we thought, let’s just try to grab him and figure out what he was like as a kid, so that’s kind of where that came from and just trying to be specific and different than things we’d done in the past. We talked early on about making some story point about that but I think by not dealing with it it’s more color blind or accepting or whatever, you just cast that character and move forward.”

The character is voiced by Japanese American, Jordan Nagai, who was 7 years old when the movie was made.  Watch his interview with Chanel APA below.  

We can speculate on why it wasn’t markedly pointed out that Russel is Asian American the same way Tiana was marketed as African American.  I think that’s a type of conversation/argument that occurs often.  Whether you have an opinion or if you’re indifferent, I’d be curious about why you think you have that point of view, or why you feel that way. Feel free to comment below or email me.  Sources: Chanel APA [via]Photos: 1, 2, 3Keywords: Disney Pixar Up Asian kid character, Peter Sohn, Jordan Nagai, Disney Pixar up Russel is Asian, the kid in up

Russel from Up



Confirmed: Russel from Disney Pixar’s heartwarming, heartbreaking, inspirational Up is an Asian American character.


The character is modeled on Asian American Pixar animator, Peter Sohn (below right).  An interview excerpt from the film’s director, Pete Docter:

“There hasn’t been a lot of discussion in the media about the fact that Russell is an Asian-American, which is probably for the best. I know the character was based somewhat on Pixar’s Peter Sohn, but considering Disney has clearly pointed out that Tiana from “The Princess and the Frog” is the studio’s first African-American princess, I’m curious why the topic hasn’t come up.

That’s interesting. Obviously Anglo characters have dominated most of media for a long time so it seemed to me, obviously there’s more diversity of people out there. Pete Sohn is such an entertaining character that we thought, let’s just try to grab him and figure out what he was like as a kid, so that’s kind of where that came from and just trying to be specific and different than things we’d done in the past. We talked early on about making some story point about that but I think by not dealing with it it’s more color blind or accepting or whatever, you just cast that character and move forward.”


The character is voiced by Japanese American, Jordan Nagai, who was 7 years old when the movie was made.  Watch his interview with Chanel APA below. 



We can speculate on why it wasn’t markedly pointed out that Russel is Asian American the same way Tiana was marketed as African American.  I think that’s a type of conversation/argument that occurs often.  Whether you have an opinion or if you’re indifferent, I’d be curious about why you think you have that point of view, or why you feel that way. Feel free to comment below or email me. 


Sources: Chanel APA [via]
Photos: 1, 2, 3
Keywords: Disney Pixar Up Asian kid character, Peter Sohn, Jordan Nagai, Disney Pixar up Russel is Asian, the kid in up

Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Permalink
AMERIE
Her 4th album, In Love & War, dropped TODAY, November 3rd
See the you tube video for the Heard ‘Em All single from her new albumAmerie Mi Marie Rogers is a two-time Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and actress, born January 12, 1980 in Fitchburg, Mass to a Korean mother and Africa-American father.  She debuted her first album, All I Have, in 2002.  [1, 2]
Check out her song  Gotta Work in the video below. PERFECT for a workout playlist.  Really gets ya goin.



 [via Daily Motion]
Photos: Top, album cover Keywords: Asian and African American hotties, Blasian, Black AsianOther: Amerie’s Official Website, Amerie’s IMDB

AMERIE

Her 4th album, In Love & War, dropped TODAY, November 3rd


See the you tube video for the Heard ‘Em All single from her new album

Amerie Mi Marie Rogers is a two-time Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, producer, and actress, born January 12, 1980 in Fitchburg, Mass to a Korean mother and Africa-American father.  She debuted her first album, All I Have, in 2002.  [1, 2]


Check out her song Gotta Work in the video below. PERFECT for a workout playlist.  Really gets ya goin.


[via Daily Motion]

Photos: Top, album cover
Keywords: Asian and African American hotties, Blasian, Black Asian
Other: Amerie’s Official Website, Amerie’s IMDB

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