Lucy Liu Says Asian Representation In Hollywood Has A ‘Long Way To Go’
Lucy Liu is cheering on the success of Everything Everywhere All At Once, which has given more Asian representation in Hollywood. The Charlie’s Angels alum loves that the Oscar-nominated film was done as an independent film and has risen from being the “underdog.”
The 54-year-old actress, who will next be seen in the Shazam! sequel next week tells People of her own struggles in the industry. “I’ve always had to fight for roles,” she says. “I’ve always had to go in against all odds.”
Many Asian actors and creators credit Liu for helping them get opportunities in Hollywood. “I feel a great sense of pride that something that I loved doing has helped them realize that it’s possible for them,” the New York native reveals. “I never in my wildest dreams would’ve thought that, but I’m glad that I have had some impact in a positive way. That makes me feel like I’ve accomplished something.”
For Liu, the world of acting was always “so open and I never saw a ceiling,” she says. “And I felt like that was something that a lot of people unfortunately hit quite a bit, but it didn’t deter me.” For the Kill Bill actress, it was just “a bump in the road and I just did not have a limit. I felt like the world was limitless and I was going to continue on and there was nothing that was going to stop me.”
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She thinks Everything Everywhere All At Once kicked off a revolution. “I think it’s the beginning,” she says. “I understand that a lot of places have a check box and they have to meet a certain percentage, and sometimes that has to happen before it becomes the norm.” She admits that there will probably be a long way to go. But, creating the space for more Asian actors in media will hopefully become something that is normal and activates in a “natural way.”
Liu also expresses her admiration for EEAAO‘s ambitious, imaginative storytelling. She tells the publication how it is both interesting and scary that studios look for the payout when making films. The Daniels (directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert), as Liu describes, “were doing something out of love and passion.”
Watch Lucy Liu next in the DCEU in Shazam! Fury of the Gods, out in theaters March 17.
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