dragon lady

Anna May Wong is compulsively watchable. The more you learn about her, the more inspiring and fascinating she is. Hollywood is hard, no matter who you are, but for people of color, finding success in Hollywood starring on the big screen has historically been nearly impossible. That makes Anna May Wong’s rise and longevity all the more impressive. As the first Chinese American Hollywood star to gain international recognition, she was a pioneer and trailblazer, carving out a path for Asian actors during an era of extreme racism and systemic exclusion. Straightforward, famously kind, incredibly talented, determined, and whip smart, she was a global cultural icon. Her perseverance and grace in the face of prejudice inspired future generations of Asian American performers in theater, and in front of and behind the camera.