15 Rising APIA Stars Talk Identity, Solidarity, and Unapologetically Taking Up Space

Olivia Liang kicks ass in her first leading role. After portraying recurring character Alyssa Chang on The Vampire Diaries' spinoff Legacies, the 28-year-old Chinese American actress was cast as the star of The CW's Kung Fu, a gender-flipped take on the '70s series of the same name. Olivia is the nucleus of the reboot as Nicky Shen, a young women who drops out of Harvard Law School, learns martial arts during a sojourn in a Chinese monastery, and returns to San Francisco ready to protect her increasingly endangered community as a vigilante of sorts. The first season of Kung Fu is still airing, but it's already been renewed for a second season.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"I can only speak for myself when I say belonging starts from within. To truly belong somewhere is to be fully confident and comfortable with who you are, so that no matter where you end up — whether that is in Hollywood or not — you know who you are and are unafraid to take up space."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"My onscreen dad, Tzi Ma, is actually a huge inspiration and role model to me. Not only is he legendary in his career, but he has been an activist for longer than I've been alive. It's in his bones to speak up and speak out about any injustice he sees affecting any marginalized community. To be around him is to be inspired to be a leader, a helper, and a voice for the voiceless."

Lukita Maxwell is an invaluable part of the ensemble cast that makes up HBO Max's Generation. Following a brief role on the ABC sitcom Speechless, the 19-year-old Indonesian American actress dove into the dynamic role of Delilah in the teen drama that premiered earlier this year. Delilah is a teen activist whose life is changed when she gives birth in a mall bathroom after not knowing she was pregnant in the first place . . . and that's only the pilot episode. Though Generation hasn't been renewed for a second season yet, the favorable response has us feeling hopeful. In the meantime, Lukita will appear in The Beginning & The Middle, a forthcoming short film.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"'Belonging' feels so finite and like a concrete destination. Being biracial, my experience finding belonging attached to racial identity is a process. But at this moment in time, being considered among AAPI in Hollywood has shown me the beauty and power in solidarity. I've found comfort in solidarity. Comfort in change. Comfort in this community's fight for visibility, even for perspectives not fully rooted in belonging. Hollywood is finally starting to invest in AAPI so we can amplify these perspectives. Honored to be considered among these voices fighting for AAPI celebration, visibility, and power."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"The cast and crew I have the privilege of working with. Having the opportunity to work on a diverse set and watching people create art they're passionate about is so inspiring. Also, AAPI youth who are educated on current societal systems and are fighting for change. It's inspiring to see kids my age and younger changing the world through conversation, awareness, and their art."

From the moment he skated into the frame wearing backward overalls in Booksmart, Nico Hiraga was easy to love. The 23-year-old skateboarder and actor, who is of Japanese descent, has been in demand since his breakout role in the coming-of-age film, and he again returned to high school for Amy Poehler's sophomore film, Moxie, playing supportive love interest Seth. Up next, Nico will appear in two films premiering this year: drama Hello, Goodbye, and Everything in Between and skate film North Hollywood, produced by Pharrell Williams.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"To belong in Hollywood as an Asian American I believe is to feel like you are welcome there and are given just as many opportunities as anyone else. It's also on us to put ourselves out there and put ourselves right up in everyone's grill!"

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"Steven Yeun acts as an inspiration to me. Or maybe I'm just biased 'cause I have a total crush. Who knows. I just know that he makes me feel motivated and stoked on being an Asian in Hollywood."

Sydney Park is the ascending scream queen for a new generation. After getting her start on sitcoms like That's So Raven and Instant Mom as a kid, the 23-year-old actress — whose father is Korean American and mother is Black American — joined the Walking Dead cast in the show's seventh season as Cyndie, the leader of the Oceanside community predominantly consisting of women survivors. Sydney went on to appear on similarly thrilling shows like Pretty Little Liars: The Perfectionists and Santa Clarita Diet, as well as in teen flicks Wish Upon and Moxie. Viewers can catch her next in the slasher film There's Someone Inside Your House, hitting Netflix sometime in 2021.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"As an APIA in Hollywood, to 'belong' is to be acknowledged as the worthy and courageous people that we are. We come from kings and queens! Collectively, our stories and our voices can and will continue to change the viewpoints of others all around the world. In this industry, it is time for us to not just wait to be recognized — we have to do the work interpersonally and lift each other up."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"I have huge respect and a deep infatuation for Sandra Oh. I love that she is unapologetically herself! Right before the pandemic, I had the honor of doing a chemistry read with her to play her daughter, and she is truly a star in every beautiful way. Her career choices are strategic and smart. Her exuberant light and humor shines through, too!"

Shannon Dang is a master at harnessing energy. After cheering for the Los Angeles Rams for three years — and the Los Angeles Clippers three years before that — she presumably learned a thing or two in gauging a crowd and drumming up excitement. Since hanging up her pom-poms last year, however, the 28-year-old Chinese American rising actress now channels those skills into her portrayal of the effervescent and tech-savvy Althea Shen on Kung Fu.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"I think the feeling of 'belonging' comes from being invited to have a seat at the table. I love that there's an opportunity and responsibility for Hollywood to share stories that reflect and help shape the world we live in. The industry is realizing the growing interest and demand for diverse storytelling, especially from the AAPI perspective. We're evolving from a time where Asian American actors were sprinkled into stories to check the 'diversity' box, to now there are projects being created for and led by artists from the AAPI community. I also see a growing amount of programs that are mentoring the voices from AAPI creators. These are examples of being invited to the table and the progression of AAPI's 'belonging' in Hollywood."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"I'm a big fan of Adele Lim. She's a film producer and screenwriter, predominantly known for Crazy Rich Asians and Raya and the Last Dragon. Both of these projects are filled with humor and heart, all while moving the needle forward for AAPI storytelling on and off screen. I love that she also gives back to the mentorship program with CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment). She's a great example of someone who creates opportunities for others, and I would love to work with her one day!"

Ashley Ganger made her debut just last year on Grand Army, the Netflix coming-of-age drama about students navigating sexuality and identity all while grappling with the aftermath of a terrorist attack blocks from their Brooklyn, NY, school. In the recurring role, Ashley, who is 20 years old and Indian Canadian, portrays Meera Pakam, a passionate aspiring playwright and the older sister of Sid, the studious swim-team captain questioning his sexuality. Though Grand Army has yet to be renewed, fans have called for more Meera should a second season get made.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"To me it means to be a part of a community full of talented creatives who are all striving to make great art and represent their community well. That being said, to use this word 'community' means we are all working together, standing together. Right now more than ever with all of the issues different POC groups are facing, it is so important to stand up for one another and show support where you can — whether that be spreading awareness for the farmers protest taking place in India right now or combating anti-Asian American hate crimes happening in our own countries. Belonging to this community and having a platform is a privilege; I'm extremely grateful for it, and I plan to use it to the best of my ability."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"When I first read this question, a few people came to mind, however, I wish there were more. I hope for future generations when looking to inspirations on screen or behind the camera they have an endless amount of people to look up to. I think for me personally, Dev Patel is someone I've always admired; his performances leave me feeling very inspired. Irrfan Khan is someone I grew up watching in Hollywood and Bollywood; I will always have tremendous respect for him as an artist. I have such a deep admiration and love for anyone who came before me in this industry, that endured the hardship of not being fully accepted or trying to combat the stereotype. It's not an easy endeavor, and I'm extremely proud to hopefully carry that on and be an example for young people that come after me."

Ashley Liao's acting credits have range. She played a princess in Disney's Secret Society of Second-Born Royals, voiced a precocious girl with superpowers on the anime series Scissor Seven, and was the teen counterpart to Ali Wong's Sasha in Always Be My Maybe. The 19-year-old Chinese American actress is perhaps most famous, however, for her portrayal of Lola Wong on Fuller House. Though the Netflix reboot aired its fifth and final season last year, Ashley will soon play a character named Simone on Physical, a Rose Byrne-led dark comedy series premiering on Apple TV+ on June 18. Oh, and it's also worth mentioning Ashley does all this in addition to studying communication at UCLA.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"I think the idea of finding your group of friends is so, so important in an industry as cutthroat as Hollywood. I find a lot of encouragement and kindness in my social media DMs from girls that say things like, 'You played the first character on TV that looked like me!' or 'Lola reminds me of myself!'

In every project I have worked on, everyone has been wonderful and inclusive. I am so thankful for the roles that I have played where the character gets to bend the viewer's perception of what it means to be an Asian American. In my upcoming Apple TV series, Physical, Simone truly had me working on what it meant to be an Asian American in the '80s, and getting to explore that was so much fun (and included many conversations with my parents)!"

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"When I think of who has inspired me the most in the APIA community, I instantly think about my beloved friend Miya Cech. Every time Miya and I hang out, I am constantly reminded of the kind of work ethic I strive to have. At only 14, Miya has taught me about patience, friendship, and sass! I see so much of myself in her, and I am so thankful to be her friend. I cannot wait to see everything she does; I'll always be her number one fan."

Kea Peahu's first starring role landed close to home. In Finding 'Ohana, which hit Netflix earlier this year, the 13-year-old Hawaiian actress played Pili, a New York preteen reconnecting with her heritage and unexpectedly embarking on a wild adventure during her family's summer stay in Oahu. Kea's big break a few years prior was similarly exciting: her impressive dance skills landed her an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2016, and she's continued to show off her moves on TikTok.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"I'm proud to bring representation to Hollywood and the entertainment industry. In today's world, there is so much space for diversity and inclusion, and I'm proud to fill that role in being a working professional and through Finding 'Ohana."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"Kelly Hu inspires me in so many ways. She is such a hardworking, humble, and kind soul who always carries this spirit with her that makes you want to smile. Whenever I had to film a scene with her, she always made sure that she was giving her 110 percent. She was a big help for me and made it easy to get into character. She is also very proud of her heritage and of being a woman. She inspires me to be proud of who and what I am."

Kea's costar in Finding 'Ohana is another rising talent: Alex Aiono charmed viewers as Pili's goofy older brother Ioane. In an interview with POPSUGAR, he described the making of the family-friendly film as "surreal" and an "incredible journey." Though Finding 'Ohana marked his first big acting gig, the 25-year-old has been cultivating quite the fan base over on YouTube, where he's shared music covers and original songs since 2011. The channel has now swelled to nearly six million subscribers. After signing to Interscope Records, Alex released his first feature-length album, The Gospel at 23, last year. Next up, he'll appear in thriller A Lot of Nothing alongside Justin Hartley and Shamier Anderson.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"In a world where everyone is looking for light and positivity, and representation is being prioritized, being a part of the AAPI or the APIA community in Hollywood carries big responsibility and big reward. I think it's imperative for all Asian and Pacific Islander Americans in the industry to use their platforms to speak out against the horrific acts of hate we have seen over this past several years. I also think it's crucial for our community to continue fighting for representation, not only the APIA community, but across the board of underrepresented cultures. The reward in being in the AAPI/APIA community is knowing that I am a representative for the next generation and generations to come! Knowing that there are APIA children and teens feeling seen and heard because of our art inspires me to continue creating and reminds me why my culture and background matters in Hollywood."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"As a Samoan Maori American, the representation that The Rock and Taika Waititi have brought to Hollywood in the past few years has been monumental. Thanks to these trailblazers (also including Cliff Curtis, Jason Momoa, Kelly Hu, and many other amazing artists), the stories of my people and my culture are being told and continue to be celebrated and exposed to the world! I also want to highlight Daniel Dae Kim for his BOOMING voice this past year. He has been speaking against the terrible acts of violence and hatred on Asian Americans. Thanks to his courage to step up and speak out, he has been a leader to follow and reminds us (APIA or not) to protect our APIA brothers, sisters, and gender-nonconforming family."

Momona Tamada is all over Netflix. In addition to playing young Lara Jean Covey in the To All the Boys movie trilogy, the 14-year-old Japanese Canadian actress was an essential part of the Baby-Sitters Club reboot, portraying Claudia Kishi, the club's artistic vice president with a delightfully loud sense of style. The character, who originated in the Ann M. Martin book series, is so beloved that Netflix made a short documentary about her influence on Asian American creatives, titled The Claudia Kishi Club. Momona will of course be back for season two, which just recently wrapped and will hopefully premiere later this year.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"To 'belong' as an AAPI in Hollywood is to just feel comfortable in your own skin and to find your inner confidence. We need to proudly represent our authenticity and culture and also respect that of our community and industry as a whole."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"I look up to so many actors in the AAPI community — Gemma Chan, Lana Condor, Awkwafina, and Shay Mitchell. These empowering Asian actresses inspire me to work hard every day! I hope to achieve all the greatness they've accomplished."

After smaller appearances on Master of None and Succession, Swayam Bhatia slid into the spotlight in The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers. The 13-year-old Indian American actress, dancer, and drummer, who also goes by Sway, portrays skillful hockey player Sofi Hanson Bhatt on the Disney+ continuation of the 1992 movie starring Emilio Estevez, who revived his character for the reboot. Season one will conclude on May 28, and though the show hasn't been renewed yet, creator Steve Brill is hopeful and already has ideas for future seasons.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"When I can say I am an American Indian stepping into an American vision."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"Mindy Kaling has broken barriers on multiple levels. She is such an inspiration for me, especially as a young actor and hopefully a future filmmaker. Representation and inclusion matters, and Mindy Kaling's trailblazing journey has forced Hollywood to take notice. I hope to be able to continue to learn from her from afar and to one day have the honor of working with her."

Despite her stage background, Michele Selene Ang is just as commanding on screen. The 27-year-old Chinese American actress, who was born in Surabaya, Indonesia, and raised in San Francisco, studied theater at Fordham University before making her television debut in an episode of Elementary in 2018. She then went on to bring much dimension to the character of Courtney Crimsen on the Netflix series 13 Reasons Why. More recently, Michele appeared in pop singer Livvia's elaborate horror-film-inspired music video for "Monster," and earlier this year, she signed with talent agency Buchwald.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"For me, the question of 'belonging' always goes back to the people I love and the community I serve. I don't see it as belonging in Hollywood per se, but in my own purpose that aspires to find a platform in the industry with the greater intention to bring AAPI stories/representation to a wide audience."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"I could list the usual suspects — Sandra Oh, Daniel Dae Kim, Ali Wong, Lulu Wang, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Alan Yang, Min Jin Lee, R.O. Kwon, and so many others in the film/TV/literary space — I could go on. I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Lacy Lew Nguyen Wright and Amanda Nguyen of Rise, two Asian women who are dedicated to making impactful change from the roots up for the AAPI community and for our nation."

Midori Francis is another streaming star with stage experience. After studying acting at Rutgers University, Midori, who grew up in New Jersey and is of Japanese descent, trained in London and went on to perform at the renowned Shakespeare's Globe theater. More recently, the 27-year-old actress appeared in coming-of-age film Good Boys and had a starring role in last year's sweet Netflix holiday series Dash & Lily, portraying dreamer Lily opposite Austin Abrams's more cynical Dash. Midori is currently filming The Sex Lives of College Girls, an HBO Max teen drama series by Mindy Kaling.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"Proper representation. Proper recognition. More AAPI hires behind the scenes as well as in front of the camera. Rejecting, no, vehemently opposing racist stereotypes which hold us back and oppress us. Taking up space."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"My grandma Midori and my aunts for laughing loudly and being strong. Yoko Ono. Lately I've been listening to her song 'Nobody Sees Me Like You Do' on repeat. There's a part at the beginning where she just goes, 'I need the ginger tea,' for no reason, and I love it. I also love her poem 'Mirror Piece.' Sandra Oh and her passion for her craft and breaking barriers. So many more."

Lana Condor truthfully needs no introduction. Since making her acting debut in X-Men: Apocalypse in 2016, the 24-year-old Vietnamese American actress made Netflix viewers fall for Lara Jean Covey, the hopeless romantic at the center of the To All the Boys movies. The trilogy took its bow earlier this year, and Lana is currently in production for Girls Night, a buddy comedy also starring Brianna Hildebrand, and Boo, B*tch, a comedy about a teen ghost. Not only will Lana star in the limited Netflix series, but she's also serving as executive producer for the first time. This is all in addition to maintaining her YouTube channel, which swelled to 800K subscribers in just one year.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"What it means to me to belong in Hollywood, specifically, as an Asian American actress would be to feel like it's not an honor to be a part of a conversation, or to feel like it's not an honor to be in the room but to know that you belong there. I think there's a real sort of sense — and I think for everyone — when you're given an opportunity, to be like, 'Oh my god, I'm not worthy,' kind of that whole imposter-syndrome situation. But to me, it's like, 'No, you belong in that room. You deserve to take up that space. You deserve to have your voice heard, and you deserve to be treated with respect and to be treated as an equal.' Taking up your space and not feeling like, 'Oh my god, if I speak up, I'm going to get fired,' or 'This is the one and only time I'm going to have this opportunity,' because that's not true. You deserve it. You worked hard for it, and you should feel safe and accept it."

Janet Kim is a force to be reckoned with, and Andrea Bang is the force behind that force. For five seasons, the 32-year-old Korean Canadian actress portrayed the fiery photographer and daughter in the family unit at the center of Kim's Convenience. Though the series — a Canadian sitcom that ended up being a Netflix hit — ended this year, Andrea will soon appear in thriller A Small Fortune. She also acted alongside Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer, Kelvin Harrison Jr., and many other stars in 2019's Luce, a provocative drama about racial stereotyping and transracial adoption.

What does it mean to "belong" as an APIA in Hollywood?
"I think what it means to belong, without thinking too much, it is a question that me and every other Asian person in the world [gets asked] so often is like, 'Where are you really from?' Basically the undertone is saying that you are not from here. Whatever I felt with that question, I felt similar to when people would ask me about diversity and the importance of diversity. Because it's important, but that question tends to be asked to diverse people. I think the day that we stop getting asked that question is kind of a hint that we are belonging in Hollywood. Like, no one asks a white actor what was it like to be their diverse person in the show? So I think that's, that's the day."

Who in the APIA community acts as an inspiration or role model for you? Why?
"I love Sandra Oh. I loved her in Grey's Anatomy. It was a first for me to see a character that could play both tragedy and comedy together and do it so well. Even to this day, she's still such an inspiration. Everything that she does I feel like comes from a very genuine place. All the projects that she chooses, it's for the love of the art versus something else. That's something I aspire to."