Brenda Song Says She Wasn't Allowed to Read for 'Crazy Rich Asians' Because She Was "Basically Not Asian Enough"
It left her questioning where she fit.
![Brenda Song attends the HFPA and THR Golden Globe Ambassador Party at Catch LA on November 14, 2019 in West Hollywood, California](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A3T7xZMRgs56qwQvvHkL3D-415-80.jpg)
Brenda Song is a prolific actress. We first got to know and love her as the airhead heiress London Tipton in The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, followed by The Suite Life on Deck. She then made memorable appearances in The Social Network and New Girl. Now, she stars in Hulu series Dollface alongside Kat Dennings and Shay Mitchell.
All that to say that Song has an impressive career that's only getting better, and that you'd be forgiven for assuming that she gets to pick and choose which projects she wants to be a part of at this stage.
But in an interview with Teen Vogue, Song shared the upsetting moment she was denied an audition for a movie she really wanted—Crazy Rich Asians. The film marked an important turning point in Hollywood as essentially the first big-budget Asian-led romantic comedy ever, and Song felt it was a great fit for her.
"A lot of people don't know this, but I never got to read for Crazy Rich Asians, ever," she told Teen Vogue. She asked to be considered, but was told she wasn't right for the role of Rachel Chu, which went to Constance Wu.
"Their reasoning behind that, what they said was that my image was basically not Asian enough, in not so many words," Song said. "It broke my heart."
She continued, "I said, 'This character is in her late to mid-20s, an Asian American, and I can't even audition for it? I've auditioned for Caucasian roles my entire career, but this specific role, you're not going to let me do it? You're going to fault me for having worked my whole life?' I was like, 'Where do I fit?'"
But in the end, the actress had no regrets. "I got myself together and said, 'Brenda, there is only one you, and you can't change who you are. You can't change your past,'" she explained. "I am so grateful for every job that I've done. All I can do is continue to put good auditions out there, do the best that I can—that's all I can ask for." Wise words.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of British Vogue, InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Refinery29 and SELF. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Megan Thee Stallion Says She Wants to Work With Taylor Swift "One Day"
"She's a tall girl. I love that. We would be so cute next to each other."
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
Katy Perry Shocks Orlando Bloom After Revealing Her Bangs Aren’t Real
“…but my love for you is!”
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
New Monument Honoring Former Queen Elizabeth Will Be Unveiled on What Would Have Been Her 100th Birthday
Royal fans will have to wait until 2026 to see the statue.
By Danielle Campoamor Published
-
The 'Friends' Leading Women Had a Sweet Reunion to Celebrate Courteney Cox' Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
They'll be there for her!
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
David Schwimmer Says He's NOT Dating Jennifer Aniston
It was all just a dream.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Jennifer Aniston Had Another 'Friends' Reunion
Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, and Jennifer Aniston spent the Fourth of July together, Cox revealed with an Instagram post—another Friends reunion!
By Emily Dixon Published
-
Jennifer Aniston Explained Why Fans Were So Invested in Ross and Rachel
Jennifer Aniston discussed Ross and Rachel's will-they-won't-they relationship—and why fans loved it so much—during a recent interview with Today.
By Emily Dixon Published
-
Courteney Cox Copied Jennifer Aniston's Iconic "Rachel" Hairstyle in Honor of Her Birthday
A blonde Monica?!?
By Neha Prakash Published
-
Meghan Markle on the Struggles of Getting Into the TV Industry
In an exclusive interview for MarieClaire.com, Meghan Markle opens up about her character Rachel Zane and how long it took her to finally land a role.
By Maura Brannigan Published