Table of Contents
Who Is Constance Wu?
Born in 1982, Constance Wu is an American actress renowned for her work in film and television. She first gained significant attention with her role in the dark comedy web series EastSiders. However, her career reached new heights when she starred as the tenacious Jessica Huang on ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat, a sitcom inspired by the memoir of American chef Eddie Huang. Wu’s portrayal of Jessica brought to life the experiences of a Taiwanese family adapting to life in America. In 2018, she played the lead in the groundbreaking romantic comedy Crazy Rich Asians, marking a pivotal moment in Hollywood as it featured the first all-Asian cast in 25 years, centered around a contemporary Asian-American narrative. Wu has emerged as a vocal advocate for Asian-American representation in the entertainment industry.
Movies and TV Shows
Wu’s acting career commenced in New York City, where she undertook various supporting roles in both film and television. Her early film appearances include indie projects such as Stephanie Daley (2006), The Architect (2006), and Year of the Fish (2007). On television, she played minor roles in series like Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Covert Affairs, and briefly portrayed Laudine Lee on ABC’s One Life to Live in 2007.
In 2010, Wu relocated to Los Angeles, where she continued to pursue supporting roles, including a part in Brit Marling’s psychological thriller Sound of My Voice (2011). Her breakthrough came in 2012 with EastSiders, a critically acclaimed web series that showcased her talent and garnered multiple award nominations. Wu’s character, Kathy, is a sharp-tongued, emotionally complex friend to the protagonist, Cal, which resonated with audiences and critics alike.
Fresh Off the Boat
Wu’s significant breakthrough came in 2014 when she was cast as Jessica Huang in ABC’s Fresh Off the Boat, which depicts the life of a Taiwanese family transitioning from Washington, D.C., to Orlando, Florida. In a 2016 interview with Vulture, Wu discussed the show’s evolution and its cultural significance:
“We straddled the line of having the show be influenced by Chinese things, but not having it always be about being Chinese,” she remarked. “Yes, I have issues that have to do with growing up Asian-American. But there are other things, like doing my taxes or whether or not I should go here for vacation or what my Halloween costume is going to be. Regular human experiences, which for the most part have been only allowed to be white experiences.”
Despite the show’s success, Huang criticized ABC’s portrayal of his memoir, arguing that it presented an “artificial representation of Asian-American lives” and claimed that Wu’s character was “exoticized.” In response to Huang’s comments, Wu expressed understanding for both the network’s direction and Huang’s viewpoint. She emphasized the need for broader representation while acknowledging the show’s intent to appeal to families:
“I like the fact that our show is the way it is because I want it to be seen by families and little children. [Eddie] wanted things in there that reflected his real life. But you can’t exactly do domestic abuse and drug use in a story that you want 6-year-olds to watch. They’re not ready for that yet.”
Through her roles and public commentary, Constance Wu has significantly contributed to the conversation around Asian-American representation in Hollywood, balancing authenticity with the need for broader audience accessibility.
Constance Wu: A Trailblazer in Hollywood
“Crazy Rich Asians”
Following the success of Fresh Off the Boat, actress Constance Wu sought out projects that would resonate socially and culturally. She found this opportunity with Crazy Rich Asians, a film adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s bestselling novel. Although director Jon M. Chu initially wanted Wu for the lead role, scheduling conflicts forced her to decline the project. Undeterred, Wu reached out to Chu a month later via email, expressing her continued passion for the role.
In her heartfelt message, she stated, “Dates are dates, and if those are unmovable, I understand. But I would put all of my heart, hope, humor, and courage into the role. What all this could do means so much to me. It’s why I advocate so much for young Asian-American girls, so they might not spend their life feeling small or being commanded to be grateful to even be at the table.” Inspired by her words, Chu adjusted the film’s schedule to accommodate her availability.
In the romantic comedy, Wu portrays Rachel Chu, a Chinese-American professor whose boyfriend, Nick, takes her to Singapore for a wedding, only for her to discover that he hails from an extraordinarily wealthy family. Wu explained to The Hollywood Reporter, “I tried to make Rachel’s story about identity. What does this say about the experience of being Asian-American? How does it shape you differently than the experience of being Asian-Asian? People think it’s the same, but when you grow up without your face being a part of dominant culture, it changes things.”
Crazy Rich Asians marked the first significant studio film featuring an all-Asian cast and storyline since The Joy Luck Club (1993). The film was a commercial success, grossing $34 million at the box office in its first five days.
“Hustlers”
After lending her voice to a character in the animated film Next Gen (2018), Wu made a striking return to the screen in Hustlers (2019). In this film, she plays a single mother who becomes a stripper, sharing the screen with Jennifer Lopez, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, and Julia Stiles. The narrative is based on a 2015 New York Magazine article detailing a group of strippers who orchestrated a scheme to defraud their affluent Wall Street clients.
Advocacy and Outspokenness
Wu is also known for her strong advocacy for increased opportunities for Asian-American artists in Hollywood. She notably criticized the casting of Scarlett Johansson as the lead in Ghost in the Shell (2017), a character originally Japanese.
Reflecting on her experiences engaging with industry executives, Wu stated, “I’ve gone into a lot of executives’ offices since this stuff has come out, and when I talked about it or when they bring it up, they start white mansplaining why I’m wrong and why I am dumb, and why they’re good people.” She pointed out the misconceptions surrounding the limited roles available to Asian-American actors, adding, “It’s like, Boo fcking hoo, a lot of sht is hard. Care more, make it matter.”
Early Life and Education
Constance Wu was born on March 22, 1982, in Richmond, Virginia, to parents who immigrated from Taiwan. Her father worked as a biology professor at Virginia Commonwealth University, while her mother pursued a career in computer programming. The third of four sisters, Wu was drawn to the arts from a young age, participating in local theater programs. She graduated with an acting degree from the State University of New York at Purchase’s Conservatory of Theatre Arts in 2005 and briefly considered a graduate degree in psycholinguistics at Columbia University.
Wu’s journey in the entertainment industry has made her a significant figure, not only for her roles but also for her advocacy in promoting diversity and representation in Hollywood.