Lucy Liu is arguably one of the highest profile Asian American actresses in Hollywood. Yet her relationship with the Asian American community might be described as tepid. There was that incident on David Letterman when she made the joke about looking Filipino. Then there was her breakout role on Ally McBeal in which some people felt she was playing a stereotypical dragon lady.
The 45-year old actress this month is profiled in the cover story for Schon Magazine. In it, Liu addresses stereotypes and being an Asian American actress in Hollywood.
“It was not easy at all,” said Liu about breaking into Hollywood in the 90s. “It was a long journey. I did a bunch of regional theater and odd jobs, just trying to get my food in the door. For me, its the issue about being Asian in the business. It’s a much more narrow line to cross.”
She’s currently breaking both gender and racial stereotypes in her role in the CBS hit series, Elementary. She also recognizes that things have gotten a bit easier for Asians in Hollywood but says “It’s still a struggle. The bridge for Asians is not as wide as it should be.”
You can read her thoughts about being in her mid-40s in a profession that worships youth and her move into directing in Schon Magazine.
