I had heard about people hating Constance Wu on social media, but since I don't read anything fancier than Facebook, none of it bothered me. I did appreciate reading your insights, though, Katie, about the parallels between AMW and Constance Wu. However, I will comment on FOTB, since you hadn't seen it in Oct. 2022. Every time I am on a transatlantic flight, I try to watch this show because I think that this series is brilliant. In its portrayal of an fresh-off-the-boat, immigrant family from Taiwan, it tries to show us, in a silly Hollywood way, their journey down the road of integration into American society. What values and customs should you keep, how can you assimilate, what is the cost of assimilation? And yes, Constance Wu simulates a Taiwanese accent, but isn't that what she as an actor is supposed to do? I actually like hearing the Chinese accents in English, because it constantly reminds me of my father and mother and their journey from their place of birth in southern China to L.A.; a Chinese accent no longer embarrasses me, it comforts me. And, if Constance Wu, wants to spend her precious time getting her lines down, isn't being a perfectionist what we good girls and Chinese Americans always strive to be? As she admits herself, maybe Constance Wu’s tweets were graceless, but who in this world has never made a misstep?
Hi Katie, this is the first post I have read in your Substack. It's really thought provoking and the comparison between Constance Wu's and AMW's experiences are striking. AMW was always, always gracious and graceful in public but to her detriment which is probably why she drank away her troubles in private. Thanks for this piece.
I had heard about people hating Constance Wu on social media, but since I don't read anything fancier than Facebook, none of it bothered me. I did appreciate reading your insights, though, Katie, about the parallels between AMW and Constance Wu. However, I will comment on FOTB, since you hadn't seen it in Oct. 2022. Every time I am on a transatlantic flight, I try to watch this show because I think that this series is brilliant. In its portrayal of an fresh-off-the-boat, immigrant family from Taiwan, it tries to show us, in a silly Hollywood way, their journey down the road of integration into American society. What values and customs should you keep, how can you assimilate, what is the cost of assimilation? And yes, Constance Wu simulates a Taiwanese accent, but isn't that what she as an actor is supposed to do? I actually like hearing the Chinese accents in English, because it constantly reminds me of my father and mother and their journey from their place of birth in southern China to L.A.; a Chinese accent no longer embarrasses me, it comforts me. And, if Constance Wu, wants to spend her precious time getting her lines down, isn't being a perfectionist what we good girls and Chinese Americans always strive to be? As she admits herself, maybe Constance Wu’s tweets were graceless, but who in this world has never made a misstep?
Hi Katie, this is the first post I have read in your Substack. It's really thought provoking and the comparison between Constance Wu's and AMW's experiences are striking. AMW was always, always gracious and graceful in public but to her detriment which is probably why she drank away her troubles in private. Thanks for this piece.
I mentioned your article on Constance Wu (positively!) in my newsletter, Eulipion Outpost: https://jeanvengua.substack.com/p/10152022-85 :-))
Thank you for presenting this important and thoughtful perspective.
Hollywood is a red ocean.