If you’ve watched Crazy Rich Asians, good for you! Some of you might be thinking to yourself, “I know this person! I’ve seen him/her before!” Spot some familiar faces? Can’t put a finger on where you’ve seen them before?
Rachel Chu- played by Constance Wu
If you have watched Fresh Off The Boat, you will recognize Constance as Jessica, the strict, typical Asian tiger mom to Eddie Huang and his two younger brothers. Constance had been playing small roles here and there and it was her big debut when she landed her role in Fresh Off The Boat. She played her character so naturally and impressively that the director of Crazy Rich Asians was willing to wait for her to finish wrapping up for the season of Fresh Off The Boat.
Nick Young- played by Henry Golding
“Crazy Rich Asians” is actually Golding’s first movie in his acting career. And he did a pretty good job! If he looks familiar to you, you’ve probably seen this half-British half-Sarawakian on BBC’s The Travel Show back on 2014. Maybe you have been following him on Instagram @henrygolding and maybe his very cool, beautiful wife @livvlo. Golding has been a Malaysian heartthrob and he is so humble and sweet! Also, he has an upcoming movie with Blake Lively and Anna Kendrick called “A Simple Favor”. Be sure to watch this movie too!
Eleanor Young- played by Tan Sri Michelle Yeoh
Do we even need an introduction for this gorgeous woman? Michelle Yeoh has been an iconic female figure for Malaysians for years. If you should know, our iconic Michelle Yeoh used to be a Bond Girl back in the 1997 James Bond: Tomorrow Never Dies. She has also starred in Jackie Chan movies, using her many years’ experienced dance moves and improvised them into martial arts moves.
Goh Peik Lin- played by Awkwafina
Nora Lum or better known by her stage name Awkwafina is an American rapper who recently rose to fame. She started off with a supporting role in the sequel Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising and if you have recently watched the Netflix original movie, Dude, you’ll remember her as Rebecca.
Eddie Cheng- played by Ronny Chieng
Malaysian-born comedian and actor Ronny Chieng has his own TV show, Ronny Chieng: International Student and it is about himself, a Malaysian student living in Australia. He is also a correspondent on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah.
Astrid Young Teo- played by Gemma Chan
Gemma Chan has been in plenty of TV series throughout the years but her recent most prominent role on TV is playing Mia, a human-like robot in the TV series Humans. This England-born beauty used to study law but decided to pursue her career in acting, which turned out to be better! And you’ll be seeing more of her because she will be in the upcoming Captain Marvel movie next year!
Michael Teo- played by Pierre Png
This hottie has blossomed from a nerd to a hunk. If you’re from Malaysia or Singapore, you probably have watched the TV sitcom Phua Chu Kang when you were younger. Guess what, Pierre Png is in it! And one of the main casts! Still can’t figure it out? He played Phu Chu Kang’s younger geeky brother, Phua Chu Beng! Oh, how he has blossomed and aged like fine wine.
Kerry Chu- played by Tan Kheng Hua
Speaking of Phua Chu Kang, and if you remember Ah Beng from Phua Chu Kang, you’d remember his snobbish wife, Margaret. That’s right! Tan Kheng Hua played Phua Chu Beng’s significant other in the same sitcom! Not to mention, she played a lot of other roles for other local TV series as well after Phua Chu Kang like Sayang, Sayang as well as a Netflix TV series called Marco Polo!
Wye Mun Goh- played by Ken Jeong
Who does not recognize this comical guy? Ken Jeong made an impressionable character in the Hangover movie as Mr. Chow back in 2009. Since then, he has been in movies after movies for his comical personality and he definitely did not disappoint us in Crazy Rich Asians as well. If you watched Fresh Off The Boat, the sitcom Constance Wu was famous for, Ken Jeong played a brief role as her brother-in-law!
Notice anyone familiar in the movie? Specifically local South East Asian actors from Singapore and Malaysia? Share with us! We are so proud to see our fellow Singaporean and Malaysian talents on screen in a Hollywood movie! Crazy Rich Asians is reportedly now a $76 million in box office!