"I Got A Little Yellow In Me"
By Elsa Rodriguez, Staff Writer

I often hear complaints that there aren’t enough Asians in the entertainment industry or media. The fact is there are Asians making a difference in the industry, both internationally and in the States, but we can’t see their “Asianness” so blatantly sometimes. Most of these celebrities are bi-racial. Since they don’t talk about their Asian backgrounds much, their Asian heritage is not recognized. The following is a listing of mixed-Asian celebrities who have made us laugh, smile, and go “wow.” Some celebrities made contributions that are larger than others, but they are all forerunners and inspirations to other Asians wanting to pursue a career in the entertainment industry.

Rob Schneider
This classic comedy star was born to a Filipino mother and a Jewish father. Rob Schneider had his first comedian debut in 1987 on “Late Night With David Letterman,” which soon landed him a job as a writer and star role on “Saturday Night Live.” He later starred in many mindless comedies such as Deuce Bigalo, Male Gigolo and The Animal, but his idiotic antics reflect something about Schneider which he values: Rob Schneider is not afraid to look ugly, weak or stupid if it’s for the sake of his comedy. Other than comedy, Schneider also takes a liking for ‘70s clothing and collecting items.

Kristin Kreuk
Best known for her role as Lana Lang on the WB’s “Smallville”, this Chinese/Dutch beauty actually went into acting because she was having trouble filling out the extra curriculars section on her college applications. She thought she’d bomb her first audition because she had no prior acting experience, but she miraculously won the lead role on Fox Family Channel’s “Edgemont”. She briefly starred in a television version of Snow White and soon after won her role on “Smallville.” Despite the social persona she portrays in YM magazine and in the Neutrogena make up commercials, Kristin characterizes herself as shy and boring. She originally planned to go to a university to study environmental studies and psychology. Hence, her successful career as an actress came a big surprise to her. However, she has not shredded much of her stage shyness; she still hates posing for pictures.

Amerie
Hiphop and R&B fans recognize Amerie’s soulful voice from her early March single, “Why Don’t We Fall In Love.” Amerie, born to a Korean mother and an African-American father, is multitalented and could have chosen many career paths in life. She holds a degree in English and Fine Arts from Georgetown University and was trained to dance since her early years, but she inevitably chose to follow her passion of singing. Like many artists, much of Amerie’s feelings are reflected in her songs. Her song, “All I Have,” reflects her and her producer’s lives. Her album outro, “I’m Reminded,” shows her thanks to God and her parents, whom she believes were the reason for her success.

Keanu Reeves
He’s often parodied as an air headed-stoned out-surfer, but this mixed Chinese/Hawaiian/English actor is best known for his heroic role as The Matrix’s Neo, mankind’s last hope for seeing through a manipulated and illusion-filled world. Although his first motion picture debut was in the Canadian Film Dream To Believe, it was his role in the 1994 hit Speed that got the media’s attention. He immediately became a teen heartthrob and went on to star in popular films such as The Devil’s Advocate and Much Ado About Nothing. Another unique fact about him? In Hawaiian, his name means “a cool breeze over the mountains.”

T (Tasha)
Although her music is mostly known in Korea, T (also known as Tasha or Yoon MiRae) has played a major role in the development of Korean hip-hop. This half Black and half Korean superstar was the first artist to debut as a female emcee in Korea. Although she’s only 22 years old, T has already racked up 12 albums under her belt: 7 with her former group Uptown, 1 with her duo group Tashannie, and 4 solos of her own. Her rough rapping voice makes her seem like a gangster rapper, but, in contrast, her R&B vocals are very sweet, soothing, and pure. Because T has mastered the art of R&B and rap, she’s often referred to as Korea’s Lauryn Hill.

Micki Eyes
He’s often seen as a feature rapper for the Korean hip-hop group, Drunken Tiger. However, his snappy punch lines and versatile lyrics leave many of his fans calling him Korea’s Eminem. This half-Italian, half-Korean LA native hardly raps in Korean, which disappoints fans in Korea. However, fans believe Micki’s skills could murder Ruff Ryder’s Jin tha MC in a freestyle battle. Of course this is all fan gossip and there’s no beef between Micki and Jin. But there’s no doubt that a battle between these two would be intense. For those who follow Drunken Tiger and want a taste of what Micki’s like, check out “Rhyme Sharks” on Drunken Tiger’s 4th album. Surprisingly his whole verse was freestyled.

Dean Cain
From the comic book to the cartoons, Superman’s black hair and small eyes kept fans pondering the hero’s Asianness. With Dean Cain playing the classic superhero on the brief ABC hit, “Lois & Clark,” it opened the possibility of Superman actually being part Asian. Since Dean Cain is Japanese, French, and Welsh, it was not a completely preposterous inference. Although “Lois & Clark” flopped after the famous comic book couple married on the show, Cain can still be seen on a revamped version of “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not.” Unfortunately, he’s ditched the tight red and blue suit. Sorry ladies.

Danielle Graham
Best known as the cover model for Malaysian apparel brand, PMD, this Malaysian/Chinese/Irish model made her acting debut in the popular Hong Kong film, 2002. Graham played Nicholas Tse’s object of affection, a nurse coincidentally named Danielle. Although half of her lines were voiced over or were in “Chinglish,” critics found that she filled her role well. Much like her mixed blood, her favorites are a mix of Western and Asian culture. While she loves Chinese superstars Faye Wong, Tony Leung, and Maggie Cheung, she’s also a fan of Madonna, Al Pacino, and Angelina Jolie.

Kelly Hu
She went from being a semi-popular model to playing the sexy X-Men villain, Lady Deathstrike, in X-2: X-Men United. Born Chinese, Hawaiian, and English, Kelly Hu is one of the few diverse personalities that aren’t often seen in the media. Kelly holds a brown belt in karate, loves sports, and roller-skating. As a result of her obvious good looks, Kelly made history in 1985, being the first Asian American to win the title of Miss Teen USA.

Namie Amuro
This Japanese/Italian J-pop star is responsible for the widespread "Amura" trend in Japan. Her short skirts, knee-high boots, and auburn streaked hair sparked a revolution among young girls in Japan and other Asian countries. Debuting at the age of 14 in her former band, "The Super Monkeys", Namie Amuro quickly became a teen favorite and soon enough, a Japanese pop icon. However, it was only after her split from the Super Monkeys did her name become a household name. At the age of 19, she became the youngest artist in history to win the title of "Best Artist" from the Japan Record Awards Committee. Although she endured many trials and tribulations in her career, such as her sudden divorce and the murder of her mother, she still remains a strong force in the J-POP world.

Foxy Brown
When she first met Jay-Z, he swore she was half-Filipino, half-Black. She admitted to being Trinidadian Asian, but not of Filipino descent. It’s hard to say what kind of Asian the scandalous Foxy Brown is, but she’s still Asian. Even before her rivalry with Lil’ Kim came about, Foxy’s name was well known in the hip-hop industry. At the age of 16, her first album, Ill Na Na, went double platinum and remained on the charts for more than 40 weeks. She has become a favorite among other rappers, collaborating with artists such as LL Cool J, Jay-Z, and Nas. As a reward for her success, her label, Def Jam Records, gave her her own personal label, Ill NaNa Entertainment.