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‘Crazy Rich Asians’: Constance Wu talks about what it’s like being part of a ‘movement’

Constance Wu plays Rachel Chu in "Crazy Rich Asians."
(Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)
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In “Crazy Rich Asians,” we journey halfway around the world through the eyes of New Yorker Rachel Chu, the self-made daughter of a single-mom immigrant played with aplomb by Wu. A trip abroad to meet her boyfriend’s family becomes a bewildering foray into the high society milieu of Singapore’s oldest, richest — and snobbiest — families.

Television audiences know Wu from her critically acclaimed ABC sitcom “Fresh Off the Boat” — at the time of its debut in 2015, the first American network prime-time sitcom to center on an Asian American family in more than two decades — where her portrayal of hilariously pragmatic matriarch Jessica Huang made her a household name.

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Now, Wu’s turn as the plucky heroine of “Crazy Rich Asians” from director Jon M. Chu marks another milestone for Asian representation in Hollywood — and one the Richmond, Va., native hopes will open doors for those who don’t yet see themselves reflected on screen.

In your own words: What’s your Hollywood story?

I am from Richmond, Va. The theater became my second home, so much so that I made the some might say irresponsible decision to go to drama school and study acting at a conservatory. I was in New York for a few years being a theater actor — but actually more being a waitress.

I booked a ticket one way to L.A., and then I continued to be a waitress. Then I auditioned for a show called “Fresh Off the Boat” and it was huge to so many people.

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It was the first network show in over 20 years to center on an Asian American family’s experience. There was a lot of talk and noise and buzz around it, but at the end of the day the thing that I loved about it is that it’s something that kids can watch with their families and feel like their stories matter.

When the opportunity came to do “Crazy Rich Asians” I was so happy that it was happening and I wanted to be a part of it — but I just wanted it to happen. And I’m really lucky that I got the part of Rachel and that Jon believed in me, and that he had such a great vision for it, and hopefully it’ll do really well.

I want to bring back that old Hollywood charm.

— “Crazy Rich Asians” star Henry Golding

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When you were young, did you see yourself reflected on screen?

I definitely saw myself reflected on screen, in the form of George Clooney. Obviously! No. I’m just kidding: No, I did not. My biggest role model was Mister Rogers. Still is. If I’m having a down day I still go to YouTube and I type in “Mister Rogers words of wisdom” ... and it makes me feel better. He is the epitome of goodness to me. And also Oprah, because I mean — she’s Oprah.

I never thought I’d be considered for something like [“Crazy Rich Asians”] because I’d never seen any Asian American be a lead.

“Crazy Rich Asians” is the first movie of its kind in 25 years. What does it mean to you to be at the center of it all?

I definitely felt that sense of importance from the start and it only built on itself as I got to know the other actors and the other crew members who were involved in it. We became a family and we’re all passionate about creating something that was more than a movie, that like Jon says, was a movement.

How did “Fresh Off the Boat” prepare you for the platform you now have to advocate for underrepresented voices with “Crazy Rich Asians”?

I couldn’t have anticipated it, but it was really illuminating. “[“Fresh Off the Boat”] sort of woke me up to a lot of things that I hadn’t been consciously speaking about, because I’d just been focused on survival. And part of the reason I can and do speak out on these issues is because I have the privilege – I have some equity, I have some stability with my show.

FULL COVERAGE: Why the historic Hollywood rom-com ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ matters »

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