Los Angeles during Awards Season is a strange combination of excitement, glamour and that feeling of
being in limbo between where you want to be and where you once were. Publicists are all in a tizzy trying to get their people into the right parties, actors are either feigning disinterest or can’t stop talking about it and the whole of Tinsel Town goes on a “For Your Consideration” campaign.
While Hollywood gears up for its one big night to celebrate excellence in films, many other pre-parties pop up to help rally support for the industry. Some celebrate certain achievements or benefit particular charities. This year, I had the pleasure of being invited to Roman Media‘s 3rd Annual Hollywood Event Celebrating Women In Media & Diversity in Film. As a half-Asian actress, this is a subject that is near and dear to my heart as Asians are often underrepresented in entertainment. Often times, we are pigeonholed into “the smarty pants”, “ethnic comic relief” or even “the warrior” with few opportunities to shine in a leading role, dramatic or comedic, that is not a piece directly about Asian heritage. Don’t get me wrong – Lion was one of my favorite films this year (go Dev Patel!) and Sir Ben Kingsley can do no wrong. But did you know there has not been a Best Actress nominee of Asian descent at the Academy Awards since 1935? I know there are plenty of talented and beautiful performers out there who, if given the opportunity, would shine just as brightly as the A-Listers who will be walking the carpet at this year’s award ceremonies. We don’t need to storm the castle or anything, just let us read for the roles, too….you might find someone you like!
But back to the party….Roman Media put on a stunning event and transformed the courtyard of West Hollywood nightclub Boulevard3 into a red carpet extravaganza with makeover booths, samples and cigar lounge, complete with NayNay’s Tacos sampling, which I have to say, was absolutely delicious! Food and I get along VERY well. Inside, the club was aglow with twinkling trees, a light show and bustling with energy with a little help from DJ Rieckermann.
Among those honored at the awards ceremony was actress Jamie Bernadette, who reminded everyone to “surround yourself with positive people”. Also in attendance were performers Massi Furlan (Live By Night), Alice Aoki (The Bold and the Beautiful), Matty Cardarople (A Series of Unfortunate Events) and my fellow Palisades Justice co-stars Johnny Rey Diaz, Kevin Caliber, Douglas Michael Harrison and Yissendy Trinidad. Following the awards as a fashion show featuring the gowns of designer Shekhar Rahate. And did I mention they extended the catwalk over the bar? Stunning. Yet somehow, I missed the cake. There was literally a four tier cake there. I’m sure it was delicious.
