Unforgettable Gala: Celebrating AAPI Trailblazers in Media
Now in its 22nd year, the Unforgettable Gala has hosted yet another magnificent night of celebration of outstanding Asian and Pacific Islander influencers and leaders in media, entertainment, and culture. With cross-generational attendance of longtime trailblazers and young talent breaking into the scene to carry the torch, it was moving to see so many stages of evolution in API representation in one room. For almost a quarter-century, the gala has created a space for our community, and it has seen its own fair share of evolution, too, and has now made its way to broadcast television, inspiring young AAPI people across the nation like us.
At any given moment on the red carpet, we could glance around the room and find someone we recognized. From journalism icon and consistent community advocate Lisa Ling to triple threat actress-comedian-and-rapper Awkwafina to graceful longtime actress Joan Chen, it was heartening to see so many of the folks who have truly paved the way. Your Rich BFF Vivian Tu put words to how we felt: “There are SO many people I grew up looking up to!” XO Kitty’s Anthony Keyvan shared that he felt imposter syndrome: “It’s crazy that I get to be in a room full of people I look up to. Everyone’s a role model!” And he’s not the only one–even though we weren’t walking the red carpet, we certainly felt the jitters, too!
Unforgettable Gala Honorees. Credit: Ericka Puyat (Instagram: @mikaroo)
It’s hard not to feel butterflies when you see so many household names of our generation light up the room. The cast of the recent live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender, the fun bro-ey pair Justin Chien and Sam Li from The Brothers Sun on Netflix, the honorees from Sean Wang’s debut coming-of-age film Dídí (Izaac Wang, Joan Chen, and Sean Wang himself!), Breakout in TV star Hoa Xuande from the recent adaptation of The Sympathizer, even the recent Bachelorette, the gorgeous Jenn Tran (...and her wonderful new beau, wink-wink). We were overwhelmed by the turnout of people we look up to, who are helping to normalize the representation of our stories and faces on-screen. This year, more than ever, we’re seeing people like ourselves in the media.
Carving out this space for the API community has been no easy feat–but it has been and continues to be necessary for the visibility of our stories and voices. It wasn’t so long ago that seeing someone who was Asian on-screen was a pleasant and relatively rare surprise. Many of us recall holding on to those faces who resembled our own, as they represented who we could be and we felt that if they could do it, then there was a chance for us, too. Love in Taipei author Abigail Hing Wen reflects, “When we were growing up, we didn’t see much representation and there were a lot of stereotypes. I started writing my books because I wanted to change those stereotypes, and I’m seeing that more and more. I hear from young people now that they believe they can be writers, actors, directors…and that means a lot to me.”
Christopher Sean from Ultraman: Rising agrees: “There’s a psychological effect where you don’t see yourself and others don’t see you in positions of power or leadership when you’re not put in those positions. To see so much diversity [in media]–that leads to inclusion across all platforms.” Truly, seeing the glowing talent at the Unforgettable Gala is proof of just how far we’ve come and why persistence and uplifting one another is so needed and important.
Izaac Wang (Breakout in Film). Credit: Phil Sakanashi (Instagram: @akashi.creative)
“You really do have to sometimes ask for what you’d like–the worst thing they can say is no!”
Now an event that the community looks forward to each year (facetiously dubbed “Asian Prom”, as we heard from multiple attendees), the Unforgettable Gala features not only a stellar and growing guestlist, but also incredible performers, including the glamorous Thuy and heartthrob WONHO–not to mention, influential award-show presenters, such as the brilliant, talented Stephanie Hsu from Everything Everywhere All At Once.
We’re incredibly thankful and proud of the courageous individuals who are lighting the way for so many of us. Change takes many people who are willing to step up and speak up for those who are struggling to get their voices heard. Jodi Long, actress and SAG-AFTRA Los Angeles Local President, took a few minutes to share her experiences with us. She had attended the White House Correspondents’ Dinner this year (an honor most of us can only dream of), and she shared: “You really do have to sometimes ask for what you’d like–the worst thing they can say is no!” Well said!
Let’s continue to bring this energy into the new year!
Stephanie Hsu (Co-Host). Credit: Phil Sakanashi (Instagram: @akashi.creative)
The Unforgettable Gala cable premiere on ChimeTV is 12/18 at 8 PM ET, Red Carpet Show is at 7:30 PM ET, and is available on GoldenTV for streaming 12/20 at 8 PM ET.
