Katie Leung

[australian_girl]

i think she is really beautiful, and dresses well. Why does she have to be the prettiest asian girl, i don't get it. It's because she is in the minority people are like "oh there are prettier asians". It would just be like if there was an australian actor, someone saying "Oh there are way hotter guys in Australia. Look who cares. She may have more of a chance of a career outlasting HP because she is only doing two movies. Whereas the main actors will be stuck typecast as the harry potter characters. Anyway good luck to her.

 

[truebluejen]

i think she is really beautiful, and dresses well. Why does she have to be the prettiest asian girl, i don't get it. It's because she is in the minority people are like "oh there are prettier asians". It would just be like if there was an australian actor, someone saying "Oh there are way hotter guys in Australia. Look who cares. She may have more of a chance of a career outlasting HP because she is only doing two movies. Whereas the main actors will be stuck typecast as the harry potter characters. Anyway good luck to her.

I agree. And just because she is an actress, doesn't mean she has to be the prettiest Asian. Not all actors are the most beautiful people in the world, but they still have great careers and are admired for their work!

 

[CTstyle]

Not gonna lie...I don't find her to be very pretty. I do like the Matthew Williamson dress though...It sucks that the only asian roles out there have to invlolve either karate or some other type of martial arts...jackie chan, Jet Lee, etc. And in this case...her name has to be Cho Chung?...why cant there be any non stereo typed roles out there?! Hoping that this girl might branch out and not follow in the footsteps of another karate action hero of some sort...lol. sigh.

But in HP, Cho does not do any martial arts. She is a very normal British girl, shopping and dating boys. despite her Asian heritage, she is a British girl/witch. I fail to see the stereotype you see. If her parents named her "Cho" it's because of some family reason. A family name, a tradition in their family. There is nothing wrong with this, imo.

 

[simple_elegance]

i agree.

 

[LAlights]

But in HP, Cho does not do any martial arts. She is a very normal British girl, shopping and dating boys. despite her Asian heritage, she is a British girl/witch. I fail to see the stereotype you see. If her parents named her "Cho" it's because of some family reason. A family name, a tradition in their family. There is nothing wrong with this, imo.

good point. but im just saying that asian stereotypes (or in this case "asian" names") dont always have to be associated with the roles taken on by asian actors.

 

[ukfashionista]

Asians seem to be treated so critically by other Asians. [Actress name] isn't as beautiful as the girls walking the streets of Hong Kong, China, etc. What's the point of this? Then get those girls on the streets to go into acting. I think it's great that Asians are making progress.

 

[vintage_princess]

In the chinese culture, those with really flat noses are considered ugly. That's why lots of chinese girls in HK especially now are opting for nose jobs to make their noses sharper.

Katie has one of the widest, flattest noses I have ever seen.

Thats really sad for HK actresses to get nose jobs. I think that sometimes for asian actresses a more wider nose suits their face more anyway and not a long thin nose..

I think theres nothing wrong with katie's nose..shes very cute looking already.

 

[Sunkist]

Her nose is totally fine, and suits her face well. I can't speak for Asia, but her nose is not at all considered ugly by the standards of her fanbase here (America). In fact, a lot of people consider her nose attractive here. Honestly, I thtink it would be sad if she got plastic surgery and got that fake, column-like nose that so many girls get...it wouldn't look any better than her current nose.

Secondly, I think it's really sad that a) Asian girls here have felt a huge need to criticize her and b) People seem to feel a need to compare her to other Asian girls and ONLY compare her to other Asian girls. First off, there's enough room (or there SHOULD be enough room) for plenty of different "Asian" looks to be considered beautiful--I mean, think of all the different "white" looks you see represented on magazine covers...why should it be any different for Asians? Why do Asians have to restrict themselves to a narrow definition of what Asian beauty should be when whites are allowed to have all different "types" of looks considered pretty?

Also, if you see an Asian actress--especially one in an American movie where English is spoken-- why is it necessary to criticize her compared ONLY compared to other Asian girls? Either don't criticize her or criticize her compared to ALL other actresses.

 

[vintage_princess]

Well said Sunkist! karma !!

 

[jennifer716]

Her nose is totally fine, and suits her face well. I can't speak for Asia, but her nose is not at all considered ugly by the standards of her fanbase here (America). In fact, a lot of people consider her nose attractive here. Honestly, I thtink it would be sad if she got plastic surgery and got that fake, column-like nose that so many girls get...it wouldn't look any better than her current nose.

Secondly, I think it's really sad that a) Asian girls here have felt a huge need to criticize her and b) People seem to feel a need to compare her to other Asian girls and ONLY compare her to other Asian girls. First off, there's enough room (or there SHOULD be enough room) for plenty of different "Asian" looks to be considered beautiful--I mean, think of all the different "white" looks you see represented on magazine covers...why should it be any different for Asians? Why do Asians have to restrict themselves to a narrow definition of what Asian beauty should be when whites are allowed to have all different "types" of looks considered pretty?

Also, if you see an Asian actress--especially one in an American movie where English is spoken-- why is it necessary to criticize her compared ONLY compared to other Asian girls? Either don't criticize her or criticize her compared to ALL other actresses.

I think in Asia, most people want to emulate caucasians. That's why everyone wants to have white milky skin and that's why brands like Anna Sui have a whitening cream range that is only available in Asia and not abroad. Same with L'oreal. Basically, there is a general consensus in Asia that Asian girls are not as pretty as their caucasian counterparts which is why you may hear people say "So so is pretty....... for an Asian". Based on this, to criticize an Asian actress in comparison to caucasian actresses means that even a pretty Asian actress would be deemed hideous.

That's why I think people tend to compare Asians to their own race. Another thing is, with most Asian actresses who make it "big" in Hollywood like Gong Li, Bai Ling, Michelle Yeo, Zhang Ziyi, they develop this horrible attitude where they think they're really hot sh*t because they're Asian and from China or wherever and still made it big. You have to remember Hollywood may seem like a big deal in America/Europe but it's an even bigger deal in Asia. A lot of people look up to caucasians in HK. So many local girls here want to go out with expat boyfriends. I'm not really sure why either but my cousin is local here and she absolutely dotes on Caucasian males. For some reason, she thinks ALL caucasian males are attractive even though some are really quite hideous. I think it's a cultural thing. I don't think Lucy Liu is like that though. Maybe cause she grew up in America. But I read an interview with Katie Leung somewhere and she already sounded a bit stuck up. I know she grew up in Scotland.. but still.

Anyway the point is, causians and asians have different standards of beauty and like I said, it's probably a cultural thing which may be sad, but it's the truth!

 

[vintage_princess]

No offense to you or your cousin, but it sounds like she wants a caucasian man because a lot of white men are considered "rich". Its very common for women to want a man for his money...

 

[Ce'nedra]

I think in Asia, most people want to emulate caucasians. That's why everyone wants to have white milky skin and that's why brands like Anna Sui have a whitening cream range that is only available in Asia and not abroad. Same with L'oreal. Basically, there is a general consensus in Asia that Asian girls are not as pretty as their caucasian counterparts which is why you may hear people say "So so is pretty....... for an Asian". Based on this, to criticize an Asian actress in comparison to caucasian actresses means that even a pretty Asian actress would be deemed hideous.

That's why I think people tend to compare Asians to their own race. Another thing is, with most Asian actresses who make it "big" in Hollywood like Gong Li, Bai Ling, Michelle Yeo, Zhang Ziyi, they develop this horrible attitude where they think they're really hot sh*t because they're Asian and from China or wherever and still made it big. You have to remember Hollywood may seem like a big deal in America/Europe but it's an even bigger deal in Asia. A lot of people look up to caucasians in HK. So many local girls here want to go out with expat boyfriends. I'm not really sure why either but my cousin is local here and she absolutely dotes on Caucasian males. For some reason, she thinks ALL caucasian males are attractive even though some are really quite hideous. I think it's a cultural thing. I don't think Lucy Liu is like that though. Maybe cause she grew up in America. But I read an interview with Katie Leung somewhere and she already sounded a bit stuck up. I know she grew up in Scotland.. but still.

Anyway the point is, causians and asians have different standards of beauty and like I said, it's probably a cultural thing which may be sad, but it's the truth!

I agree with what you said about alot of Asians tend to emulate Caucasians in terms of facial features, etc. That's probably why mixed race celebrities (i.e Asian and white) are so popular in Asia. Even if they're a plain looking Eurasian, they're regarded as drop dead gorgeous because they happen to possess some Caucasian structural features.

However, i disagree with the whole white skin issue.
To Asians, having fair skin alludes to being of 'upper class', not necessarily having anything to do with looking Caucasian.
And also, Asians such as Chinese, Koreans and Japanese (i.e East Asians) generally have naturally fair skin in the first place.
To most Asians, particularly those living in Asia, having dark skin would someohow link you to being a farmer/not so higly regarded occupation. Silly but true.

 

[Sunkist]

If I understand correctly, the preference for white skin has to do not with emulating caucasians, but with the fact that in China/India/etc. white skin means you do not have to do manual labor, and in countries that are still heavily agrarian, this is a way of showing higher class status. The preference was in place long before Caucasians had any major influence in those parts of the world. Also, I might point out that the current "white" trend here in the States, and in parts of the Europe (Italy, for example) is actually the opposite--heavy tanning.

Also, even if the prevalent attitude is that "whtie is better and even the prettiest Asian girl is hideous compared to whites" that doesn't mean people have to or should buy into it and reinforce it here! The posters here are genrally a smart, worldly, educated, enlightened bunch, which is why I'm particularly sad to see such attitudes here. Also, posters here may well have careers in fashion, publicity, etc. someday, so they ARE going to be in a position to either change these attitudes about beauty or reinforce them...and I think it would make a lot of young girls' lives better if they try to change attitudes like these that just end up hurting a lot of people's self-image and make them hate what race they are.


ETA: VIntage princess, I think you make a good point...a lot of girls are golddiggers and expats in Asia are almost always rich by local (Asian) standards...this is true of Latin America too. Plus, a lot of them want to come to the US and one of the best ways to come to the US and be middle class or above when they get here is to marry a US citizen with a decent job. And if they do prefer white guys for other reasons or become stuck up if they get white guys, that's once again because of attitudes and thinking that might not be the best way to look at things. But posters here don't have to buy into those attitudes, in fact they can actually change them, especially if they have a career in fashion.

 

[Ce'nedra]

If I understand correctly, the preference for white skin has to do not with emulating caucasians, but with the fact that in China/India/etc. white skin means you do not have to do manual labor, and in countries that are still heavily agrarian, this is a way of showing higher class status. The preference was in place long before Caucasians had any major influence in those parts of the world. Also, I might point out that the current "white" trend here in the States, and in parts of the Europe (Italy, for example) is actually the opposite--heavy tanning.

Word.

 

[titania]

Ce'nedra, I agree with the you on the white skin alluding to social status. I remember going to S.E Asia few years back and everyone stared at me because my skin was white compared to everyone else so, they knew I was from overseas, which meant I had money to travel.

Staying on the topic of Katie, I think she looks fine, healthy and normal and I mean, as long as she's a nice person then her looks really shouldn't matter so much.

 

[Sunkist]

Also, as for Asian actresses acting like hot stuff once they're discovered, this is true of tons of actresses in general, not just Asian ones. Fame changes a lot of people--Asian, white, black, whatever, it messes you up. Plus acting as a profession in general draws a lot of people who are really into themselves to begin with, you can't deny that. It's pretty much a global phenomenon, not limited to race.

 

[titania]

ETA: VIntage princess, I think you make a good point...a lot of girls are golddiggers and expats in Asia are almost always rich by local (Asian) standards...this is true of Latin America too. Plus, a lot of them want to come to the US and one of the best ways to come to the US and be middle class or above when they get here is to marry a US citizen with a decent job. And if they do prefer white guys for other reasons or become stuck up if they get white guys, that's once again because of attitudes and thinking that might not be the best way to look at things. But posters here don't have to buy into those attitudes, in fact they can actually change them, especially if they have a career in fashion.

I don't think it's just girls, sometimes guys do it too.

 

[gsquared]

i love what she wore to the premieres. She has good taste from what I see even if she's still searching. I think the whole pretty/ugly thing is just a cultural issue. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Being Asian myself...she is average looking. She probably looks better already because she has her hair and makeup done. I think Asians consider sharp noses and big eyes to be pretty, while most..or maybe just some non-Asians have a totally different conception of beautiful Asians.Katie's not ugly but not breathtakingly beautiful..but why does that matter? I'm happy that Asians are making it to Hollywood and becoming recognized. If she acts well, that's definitely a plus.

 

[jennifer716]

Also, as for Asian actresses acting like hot stuff once they're discovered, this is true of tons of actresses in general, not just Asian ones. Fame changes a lot of people--Asian, white, black, whatever, it messes you up. Plus acting as a profession in general draws a lot of people who are really into themselves to begin with, you can't deny that. It's pretty much a global phenomenon, not limited to race.

That is true. Maybe I just have low tolerance for people who act like hot sh*t when they're really unattractive. Like, if Alexis Bledel started acting like hot sh*t, I probably wouldn't mind because she has something to be showing off. But most asian actresses are really not that pretty, most cannot act, and once they hit Asian soil again, their egos get even bigger because not only have they starred in a hollywood film, but they're ASIAN and starred in a hollywood film.

I disagree about asians wanting to be white because it makes them seem more upper class. Most of the asians I know want to be pale because they want to look more caucasian -- just like how they want bigger eyes with the double eyelid, just like how they want a sharper nose. Places like Hong Kong and Tokyo and Seoul are not underdeveloped countries. These are very advanced cities and alot of them are educated and work in tertiary industries.

But you're right, the people on this board do tend to be worldly and educated and I'm not trying to insult them with my comments. I'm just trying to give people an understanding of the type of mindset that exists in Asia. I'm not one of those Asian girls who wants to look white or marry a caucasian man because he's rich or for a green card. Yet, I do have my own standards of beauty which just so happens to be the same as the general Asian mindset. This doesn't mean I'm going to bleach my skin though cause I would never do that. Just means I find most Asian people unattractive. Which is just a preference. Just like how some caucasian men find asian women more attractive than caucasian women, I just happen to find most asian women really unattractive -- Katie Leung one of them -- and I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

 

[Ce'nedra]

I will admit that the first time i saw Katie, i thought she was very plain looking and was somehow disappointed. However, in retrospect, i'm just happy for her on achieving the role of Cho Chang and also that she may perhaps further widen the door for other Asians hoping to enter Hollywood. Anyhow, her looks shouldn't be a barrier. Even though she's not my cup of tea, i'm going to give her a chance to prove her acting capabilities.
I believe everyone should just lay off her and let her be. We haven't even seen her acting skills yet, so as of now, it's best to just support her and wait to see what the outcome shall be. Perhaps after she's been in the showbiz for a while longer and demonstrated her acting abilities can you then perhaps 'judge' her (not as a person, but as an actress/celebrity).

That is true. Maybe I just have low tolerance for people who act like hot sh*t when they're really unattractive. Like, if Alexis Bledel started acting like hot sh*t, I probably wouldn't mind because she has something to be showing off. But most asian actresses are really not that pretty, most cannot act, and once they hit Asian soil again, their egos get even bigger because not only have they starred in a hollywood film, but they're ASIAN and starred in a hollywood film.

I agree with what you're saying, except replace 'Asian' with nothing. I'm not going to limit that to race.

I disagree about asians wanting to be white because it makes them seem more upper class. Most of the asians I know want to be pale because they want to look more caucasian -- just like how they want bigger eyes with the double eyelid, just like how they want a sharper nose. Places like Hong Kong and Tokyo and Seoul are not underdeveloped countries. These are very advanced cities and alot of them are educated and work in tertiary industries.

But you're right, the people on this board do tend to be worldly and educated and I'm not trying to insult them with my comments. I'm just trying to give people an understanding of the type of mindset that exists in Asia. I'm not one of those Asian girls who wants to look white or marry a caucasian man because he's rich or for a green card. Yet, I do have my own standards of beauty which just so happens to be the same as the general Asian mindset. This doesn't mean I'm going to bleach my skin though cause I would never do that. Just means I find most Asian people unattractive. Which is just a preference. Just like how some caucasian men find asian women more attractive than caucasian women, I just happen to find most asian women really unattractive -- Katie Leung one of them -- and I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

Alot of Asians are naturally fair. Does this have anything to do with Caucasians?