MIXUNDERSTOOD

Ep 10: Lena Horne and Fredi Washington - Mixed Heritage Trailblazers in Hollywood’s Golden Era

Summary:

Imagine working in Hollywood as a mixed actor at a time when showing the ‘mixing of races’ on screen was prohibited, with interracial marriage being banned in more than 30 states in America. Or, having your scenes in your movies be stand alone shots so that you could be easily removed to cater to audiences who would reject your participation in non-menial roles due to your skin color. These are just two examples of the struggles that these incredible, resilient powerhouses faced. We start with Lena Horne and explore her remarkable life, from her beginnings in the famed Cotton Club to becoming a pioneering figure in black history. How, as a mixed race actress, she broke barriers, redefined Hollywood norms, and left an indelible mark on both the entertainment world and society! We then get straight into Fredi Washington, an extraordinary figure who navigated and challenged the rigid racial boundaries of her time, as a multiracial actress, writer and activist. Her legacy is not only in her cinematic achievements such as ‘Imitation of Life’ (1934) but also in her tireless fight for racial equality and representation in the media.

Grounded, inspired and empowered is how we felt after recording this episode! 

 

 

Episode Breakdown:

 

Lena horne

Introduction to Lena Horne. An overview of her 70-year career as a singer, actress, dancer, and civil rights activist, including her awards and notable works.

Her mixed heritage, its impact on her career, and her role as a pioneer in breaking racial barriers in Hollywood.

Early life and career beginnings including the history behind her name 'Calhoun', her multiple moves, different schools, her parents divorce and her first job at the Cotton Club.

Lena’s initial Broadway appearance in 1934, leading to her joining Noble Sissle's Society Orchestra, where she began to hone her unique singing style.

Personal life and early struggles: Her time in Pittsburgh, early marriage and children, resulting in a divorce and the split of her two children. 

Becoming the first African American woman to tour with an all-white band, and facing discrimination during these tours.

Her journey to being scouted by MGM studios, leading to becoming the first black actress to sign a long term contract with MGM.

The unique clauses she had in her contract against playing demeaning roles and the subsequent backlash she faced from black actors for doing this.  

Hollywood’s decision to market her as a Latina. Despite her disagreement, playing a Latina woman in her MGM debut film, ‘Panama Hattie’, where she was darkened up with custom made makeup called ‘Light Egyptian’. 

Discussion about modern make-up companies continuing to perpetuate colorism by putting people from certain parts of the world in the same color box by calling their foundation shades things like, ‘Punjab’ and ‘Barcelona’. 

A quote from Horne reflecting her identity struggles amidst her career challenges.

How her scenes and songs were often isolated for easy removal in Southern screenings where audiences would have objected to a black woman performing in the film in a ‘non menial’ role. 

Playing roles in All-Black Musical Films, such as 'Stormy Weather' where she sang the title song. These were the only movies she played a character ‘that was involved in the plot.’ 

Becoming the highest-paid black actor in the mid-1940s. 

Missed opportunities in film roles due to racial prejudices in Hollywood including 

MGM’s 1951 remake of ‘Till the Clouds Go By’. Many say that Lena Horne did not get the role of mixed race character Julie LaVerne, due to to the production’s code ban on showing interracial relationships (as the character marries a white man).

Horne's activism against segregation, her support for the equal treatment of black soldiers leading to her claim of being somewhat blacklisted from the industry for 7 years. 

Her successful music career, highlighted by her record-breaking live album at the Waldorf Astoria.

Her marriage to a white man, the societal backlash and threats, and the need to hide it for three years. 

Her continuous activism for black rights and the personal tragedies she faced.

Her comeback with her one-woman show 'Lena Horne: The Lady and Her Music' in 1981, leading to a Tony Award.

Our reflection on Lena Horne's Legacy and thoughts on her resilience, the challenges she faced, and her status as a trailblazer for the black community and women.

 

Fredi Washington

Introduction to Fredi Washington as an American stage and film actress, civil rights activist, performer and writer. 

Overview of her early life including her heritage, being born to parents of both European and African American ancestry.

A look at her most notable work - Imitation of Life released in 1934, (nominated for 3 Academy Awards including Best Picture) for which she received critical acclaim.

On why it has been recognized under Time Magazine’s 25 most important films on race. 

Our synopsis of the film and reflections of Fredi Washington’s character of Peola.

How, contrary to her character of Peola in ‘Imitation of Life’ (a light skinned black woman who chooses to pass as white), Fredi Washington in real life identified as black. 

The difficulty that the film faced with gaining approval from the censor board due to the Hays Code forbidding Hollywood from showing the mixing of races on screen. 

A deep dive into the censor board’s issue with the film, namely Fredi Washington’s character of Peola and how Peola’s choice to identify across the racial boundaries was enough to stop the film from being released. 

What the studio did to get around the ‘problem’.

Fredi Washington’s life after Imitation of Life. How playing a biracial character went against her as it caused her to be caught in the space between preventing her from  fitting into casting boxes.

Her activism and journalism work including being a founder of the Negro Actors Guild of America, a group that advocated for less stereotypical roles and better treatment for black actors. 

Washington’s influential writings for The People’s Voice which included important criticisms of racism and sexism in the media. 

Personal anecdotes including her link with Duke Ellington and how she used being able to ‘white pass’ to go to all white ice cream parlors for his band.

A discussion about her courage and integrity in a time when she could have chosen to pass as white, but didn't.

Closing thoughts after learning about both women 

 

Links:

Lena Horne

https://www.biography.com/musicians/lena-horne

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/lena-horne-about-the-performer/487/

https://scalar.usc.edu/works/castles-made-of-sand-racial-ambiguity-and-mid-twentieth-century-american-musicians-1/racial-ambiguity-in-the-age-of-integrationism-lena-horne

https://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/10/arts/music/10horne.html

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lena_Horne

https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/20/books/review/the-black-calhouns-by-gail-lumet-buckley.html

https://en.geneastar.org/genealogy/hornel/lena-horne

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0395043/bio/?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm

 

 

Fredi Washington

'Imitation of Life' Film: 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.6aa9f72e-9712-bed3-8dc5-1af32270541e?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fredi_Washington

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imitation_of_Life_(1934_film)

https://mixedracestudies.org/?tag=fredi-washington

https://www.history.com/news/fredi-washington-black-actress-hollywood-jim-crow-era

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/hays-code-loving-hollywood-s-89632/

https://cup.columbia.edu/book/hollywoods-censor/9780231143585#:~:text=From%201934%20to%201954%20Joseph,with%20censoring%20the%20American%20screen.

https://broadcast41.uoregon.edu/biography/washington-fredi

 

 

 

Additional info on the Podcast:

Hosts: Amy Maghera -Taub, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara

Music: Mathias Kunzli - www.mathiaskunzli.com

 

If you liked this episode please share it and subscribe to Mixunderstood where ever you listen to your Podcasts. Please rate and review too! We highly appreciate it!

 

Follow us:

Instagram: @mixunderstoodpod

Facebook: @mixunderstoodpod

Twitter/X: @Mix_understood

Tik Tok: @mixunderstood.pod

 

Contact:

Email: mixunderstoodpod@gmail.com

Ep 9: The Hidden Battles of Mixed Icons Rita Hayworth and Merle Oberon in the Golden Era of Hollywood

Summary:

Join us as we eagerly explore the lives of these two iconic mixed actresses, during the glitz and glamor days of old Hollywood. We discover Oberon's journey, from her upbringing under false family pretenses to crafting a fabricated backstory to hide her biracial identity. We get into the societal pressures and Hollywood's Hays Code that influenced her concealment, and discuss the impact of her unacknowledged South Asian heritage on her legacy. Transitioning to Rita Hayworth, we share her transformation from a dancer in a family of performers to a Hollywood sensation, while of course digging deep into the extensive changes she underwent to erase her ethnic roots. We talk about how Hollywood selectively retained aspects of her ethnicity and the control she faced from a young age, as well as the challenges both actresses faced and the moulding both underwent to ‘fit in’ to be successful.

Episode Breakdown:

 

Merle Oberon:

Introduction to Merle Oberon's notable works.

Exploration of her early life and the societal attitudes towards mixed-race individuals.

Her entry into acting and the necessity to fabricate her background story.

Her concealed biracial identity and reasons behind it.

Skin lightening creams and how the notion of lighter skin being better is still the message in some cultures - Amy’s experience in the Bollywood industry.

Hollywood's Hays Code regarding race representation.

Posthumous revelation of Oberon's true identity and its significance.

 

Rita Hayworth:

Introduction to Hayworth's major works and background.

Her early life as a dancer in a family of performers.

Memories from our lives in relation to the topic of dance

The reality of coming from an entire family of dancers for Rita Hayworth and having no choice but to become a dancer from such a young age

Growing up in the spotlight and her journey to Hollywood 

The role her Father played in manufacturing of her image 

Continued by film studios including raising her hair line to make her look more ‘white’.

The public's reception of her transformation and Hollywood's selective embrace of her ethnicity.

The story of when Rita Hayworth’s face was put on an atomic bomb and others reactions to her anger

Personal reflections on learning about the lives and struggles of these two Hollywood icons as multiracial, multicultural actresses in the present day.

 

Links:

Merle Oberon

https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/mar/06/merle-oberon-oscars-best-actress

https://mixedasianmedia.com/issue-007/8-hapa-women-who-made-history-merle-oberon

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/hollywood-flashback-merle-oberon-oscars-secret-1235343125/

https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/the-trouble-with-merle-1200547709/

https://www.npg.org.uk/collections/search/person/mp63299/merle-oberon-estelle-merle-obrien-thompson

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-61079732

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2017/07/last-tycoon-jennifer-beals-merle-oberon?redirectURL=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vanityfair.com%2Fhollywood%2F2017%2F07%2Flast-tycoon-jennifer-beals-merle-oberon

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/michelle-yeoh-first-asian-actress-oscar-nominee-2023-1235308034/

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/hays-code-interracial-relationships-hollywood_n_58fa812ee4b06b9cb916fffd

 

Rita Hayworth: 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/how-margarita-cansino-became-rita-hayworth-180965275/

https://daily.jstor.org/the-making-of-rita-hayworth/

https://www.adriennelmclean.net/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Hayworth

https://www.yours.co.uk/leisure/nostalgia/the-life-and-loves-of-rita-hayworth/

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/09/rita-hayworth-biography-trauma

 

Additional info on the Podcast:

Hosts: Amy Maghera -Taub, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara

Music: Mathias Kunzli - www.mathiasjunzli.com

 

If you liked this episode please share it and subscribe to Mixunderstood where ever you listen to your Podcasts. Please rate and review too! We highly appreciate it!

 

Follow us:

Instagram: @mixunderstoodpod

Facebook: @mixunderstoodpod

Twitter/X: @Mix_understood

Tik Tok: @mixunderstood.pod

 

Contact:

Email: mixunderstoodpod@gmail.com

Ep 8: Thriving in Showbiz with an unapologetically ethnic name - Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy’s Journey from Luke to Majid

From humorous and humbling moments like falling off stage to profound revelations, Majid shares his experiences of changing his stage name to fit in and later, of reclaiming his Iranian heritage. We delve into the nuances of identity, the mixed-race experience, and the pressures to change oneself or chip away parts of yourself in order to meet the expectations of others and fit neatly into society’s categories. 

Episode breakdown:

• Introduction to Actor, Theatre director and writer Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy 

• An exploration into Majid's decision to initially change his stage name to Luke Jerdy to appear more British and his eventual return to his Iranian name. A look into the motivations, fears, and catalysts behind these decisions.

• A reflection on the impact of his name changes on his personal and professional identity

• His journey from identifying as white to acknowledging his mixed-race heritage

• Recounting his experiences growing up in a mixed Iranian and British family and facing bullying in school, as well as the challenges of hiding an interest in acting

• A discussion about the seeming commonality among mixed individuals of feeling unable to fully embrace all aspects around identity

• A conversation about his Iranian side and feelings around not being as connected to one side of your heritage.

• Majid’s thoughts on playing Iranian roles and the colorism/stereotypes around those castings.

• The advantages and challenges Majid faces in the industry after having reclaimed his Iranian name

• Discussion on the pressures mixed actors have faced in the past to conform to certain names or identities, referencing the article titled: ‘How ethnic actors changing their names perpetuates Hollywood’s racism’

• A look at how the industry is changing to embrace diversity, yet still grappling with present and past underlying biases 

• A conclusion with ‘The Bill of Rights for People of Mixed Race Heritage’ by Dr Maria P.P. Root

 

Special Guests:

Majid Mehdizadeh-Valoujerdy

Majid is a father and a husband, an actor, theater director, writer and teacher. Amongst many notable credits he played the lead role of Albert in ‘War Horse’, in London’s West End, he also wrote and performed his own one man show ‘Young Man’s Angry Movements’, across prestigious theaters in the UK, he played series regular Jesse Donovan on the UK TV show ‘Hollyoaks’. At the beginning of July he finished playing a lead role in the Neil LaBoute play ‘The Shape of Things’ at the Park theater in London and he recently wrapped filming on Season 14 of Doctor Who.Directing wise, he made his professional directing debut in July 2022 at the Blue Elephant Theatre, London, where he directed a new play, Give Me the Sun, by Mamet Leigh. The creative team was made up entirely of Middle Eastern and North African artists.

He has taught and directed at RADA, LIPA, Mountview, Drama Studio London and is now teaching at UEL on their Acting for Stage and Screen Course.

 

Instagram: @majidmvj

 

Links:

how-ethnic-actors-changing-their-names-perpetuates-hollywoods-racism

https://thewildcattribune.com/14421/opinion/how-ethnic-actors-changing-their-names-perpetuates-hollywoods-racism

 

Sir Ben Kingsley's identity is as colourful as his characters

https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/sir-ben-kingsleys-identity-is-as-colourful-as-his-characters/

Bill of Rights for People of Mixed Heritage - Maria P.P. Root

https://www.apa.org/pubs/videos/4310742-rights.pdf

 

 

Additional info on the Podcast:

Hosts: Amy Maghera -Taub, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara

Music: Mathias Kunzli - www.mathiasjunzli.com

 

If you liked this episode please share it and subscribe to Mixunderstood where ever you listen to your Podcasts. Please rate and review too! We highly appreciate it!

 

Follow us:

Instagram: @mixunderstoodpod

Facebook: @mixunderstoodpod

Twitter/X: @Mix_understood

Tik Tok: @mixunderstood.pod

 

Contact:

Email: mixunderstoodpod@gmail.com

Ep 7: The Mixed Actor’s Dilemma in Hollywood with guests Colin McCalla, Kyla Nova, Amy ward and Lorenzo Silva

Join us as we get right into the nuanced experiences of four mixed-race actors: Collin McCalla, Kyla Nova, Amy Ward and Lorenzo Silva as they navigate the complex landscape of Hollywood casting.

We explore the challenges they face when their identities intersect with industry stereotypes and casting conventions. We examine the delicate balance between diversity in casting and authentic representation, raising questions on ethnicity, identity, and the evolving standards of storytelling in film and television.

How should Hollywood balance the quest for authenticity in casting with the fluidity of mixed-race identities?

Where do mixed-race actors fit in an industry striving for diversity, but still grappling with rigid perceptions of ethnicity? Should there be a threshold for how much an actor's ethnicity should align with the character's, and who decides this threshold?

What happens when you’re unable to get cast as the ethnicity/ies you actually are because you don’t look it and in fact look more like another ethnic group? 

 

Episode breakdown:

• Introductions to Collin McCalla and Kyla Nova and their mixed heritage.
• Personal anecdotes from McCalla and Nova on casting experiences that overlook their unique backgrounds, including sometimes being placed under the umbrella of other ethnicities
• The dilemma of playing roles not matching one's own ethnicity and Hollywood's generalizations of race and culture. 

• Where do mixed actors fit in when there is a gap between their ethnic background and how they are perceived?

•  How far should filmmakers  go to assure diverse actors are properly portrayed and represented? Should they base castings off of biology or appearance? 

• Amy Ward's experiences with being of Korean and Irish descent and her thoughts on casting limitations for mixed actors.

• Reflecting on the scarcity of mixed-race representation when we were children and the impact on personal and cultural identity.
• The historical context of diversity in Hollywood, referencing Anna Mae Wong's era versus the current climate.
• What happens when you can’t get cast as your own ethnicity because you don’t look it. Are you therefore ‘allowed’ to play a role that’s of another ethnicity if you look like it?
•  Discussion about casting an actress with Native American ancestry but who identifies as an Asian American - Can she play a native American role with references to an example from an article on globalcomment.com
• Discussions on the backlash and boundaries in casting, exemplified by Amy Ward's portrayal of Anna Mae Wong.
• How strict should we become about who can play what because we could end up shutting the door in the faces of people who should be in the room.  
• Lorenzo Silva’s unique situation and his perspective on ethnic authenticity 
• A affirming summary from Amy Ward 

Special Guests: 

Collin McCalla, Kyla Nova, Amy WArd, Lorenzo Silva

 

Instagram: @jcmccalla, @kylanova11, @grimgaiety, @lorenzosilvadolla

 

 Links:

‘Casting an Asian-American in a Native American Role Does Not Help Diversity in Hollywood’

https://globalcomment.com/casting-asian-american-native-american-role-not-help-diversity-hollywood/

Hollywood: The True Story of Anna May Wong and The Good Earth

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/05/hollywood-ryan-murphy-anna-may-wong

 

 Additional info on the Podcast: 

Hosts: Amy Maghera -Taub, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara

Music: Mathias Kunzli - www.mathiasjunzli.com 

 

If you liked this episode please share it and subscribe to Mixunderstood where ever you listen to your Podcasts. Please rate and review too! We highly appreciate it!

 

Follow us:

Instagram: @mixunderstoodpod

Facebook: @mixunderstoodpod

Twitter/X: @Mix_understood

Tik Tok: @mixunderstood.pod

 

Contact:

Email: mixunderstoodpod@gmail.com

 

 

Ep 6: ’Why AI replacing Actors is a Threat to Diversity and Cultural Progress’. An eye-opening conversation with Filmmaker, Writer and Actor Joanna Ke

 

In a world that is rapidly embracing AI, what happens when it begins to replace actors? As the SAG actors union strike crosses its 100th day, we dive deep into the pivotal role AI plays in the ongoing negotiations. Joanna Ke's compelling article - “ Why AI Replacing Actors is a Threat to Diversity and Cultural Progress '', poses a question we hadn't fully grasped: How does AI's involvement in the entertainment industry potentially undermine diversity and cultural progress? Why are actors so concerned, and is their battle truly just about pay? Are we looking at a mere industry debate, or a broader conversation about human rights in the AI age? SAG’s fight for actors took on a whole new meaning for us after this conversation, as we realised that this is about protecting our rights as human beings, which goes far beyond the entertainment industry. 

 

Episode breakdown:

• Introduction: Meet Joanna Ke, a multifaceted voice in the industry 
• A dive into Joanna's mixed Taiwanese, Irish and Polish heritage and how it shaped her identity
• How Joanna gets cast in Hollywood
• Her realisation of Hollywood's lack of complex female and mixed-race characters while working as a script consultant. Her drive to create her own work
• Inauthentic representation - How unregulated AI could amplify Hollywood's diversity and representation issues
• The essentiality of genuine representation and the pitfalls of 'approved', tailored looks, especially when it comes to mixed race people and people of color.
• References from futurist Sinead Bovell including the term: The 'Illusion of Diversity': Diverse avatars vs. actual diverse workforce – Is this morally right? As well as Cultural Ethics: The fine line between representation and cultural appropriation in AI.
• The SAG union's fight for AI regulation and what's at stake for actors.
• How actors faces and bodies are already getting scanned for AI use 
• How unregulated AI and owning background actors likenesses and images could stifle emerging, diverse talent 
• Why don’t companies hire actual diverse models and actors instead of creating AI avatars to “promote” diversity ?
• The importance of using AI as a tool to help cultural progress rather than hinder it 
• Dwane Johnson “The Rock’s” avatar (whitewashing) controversy and its implications for lesser-known mixed actors.
• Keanu Reeves' AI clause and its significance.
• Erasing real bodies and falsifying emotions. The potential loss of human nuance in AI-driven performances. The impact this could this have on society especially if we can’t differentiate between what is real and what is AI 
• Exploring the potential positive impacts of regulated AI.
• Update on the union's AI regulation efforts
• How we can help the progression of diversity and use AI as a tool to help us 

 

Special Guest: 

Joanna Ke

Filmmaker / Writer / Actor

Joanna is an award-winning filmmaker that thrives in the industry as an actor, writer, script consultant, and producer. She champions diverse stories led by women both behind and in front of the camera.

Under her production company, Saint Joan productions, Joanna wrote, produced, and starred in the fantasy action film Protectress, which won 11 awards, in the film festival circuit,  including Best Fantasy, Best Action, and Best Performance.

Joanna runs the twitter account @femcharacters, highlighting the unfortunate way women are often portrayed on screen. She has been a regular contributing writer for two industry blogs, We ScreenPlay & Ms in the Biz. 

 

Instagram: @joanna_ke

Website: joannake.com

 

 

Links:

Joanna Ke’s Article: https://mixedasianmedia.com/why-ai-replacing-actors-is-a-threat-to-diversity-and-cultural-progress

 

Sinead Bovell - I study the future. We should pay attention to avatars

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RtId9uJzHfg

 

Background Actors and what’s at stake in the actors strike

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/sag-actors-strike-ai-background-actors_n_64b1b07de4b0ad7b75f2f616

 

Keanu Reeves on AI Technology

https://deadline.com/2023/02/keanu-reeves-calls-out-scary-deepfakes-ai-technology-1235260761/

 

Justine Bateman - SAG’s AI consultant and a resource for AI updates in the industry

instagram 

@_justinebateman_

 

 

 

 

Additional info on the Podcast: 

Hosts: Amy Maghera -Taub, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara

Music: Mathias Kunzli - www.mathiasjunzli.com 

 

If you liked this episode please share it and subscribe to Mixunderstood where ever you listen to your Podcasts. Please rate and review too! We highly appreciate it!

 

Follow us:

Instagram: @mixunderstoodpod

Facebook: @mixunderstoodpod

Twitter/X: @Mix_understood

Tik Tok: @mixunderstood.pod

 

Contact:

Email: mixunderstoodpod@gmail.com

Ep 5: Talent Manager Matilda Comers: On Representing Multiracial Actors, Diversity in the Industry and Her Promise to Mother Teresa

In the latest instalment of our "Mixed Actors in the Entertainment Industry" series, we sit down with power house Manager and Producer, Matilda Comers.

We dive into Matilda's unique vantage point on representing mixed actors, how she feels the industry has changed when it comes to diversity, and her personal multicultural story. 

We also tackle a pressing and complex question for actors: Should we set our own limits in playing diverse roles or let the industry decide for us? (How much of the onus should be on us, if any, especially when we have limited information when going up for roles).

 

Episode breakdown:

• Introduction to Matilda Comers and how we met
• Matilda’s own rich multicultural background and journey. From Sudan to the UK, Australia, and finally, America
• Our shared experience of childhood reluctance to speaking/learning our ethnic languages in an effort to blend in
• How not knowing Japanese and Hindi from a young age has affected us as actors and our opportunities
• The stereotypical ideas that can often shape casting decisions and therefore the challenges faced by individuals with mixed ethnicities 
• How the industry can lack nuance and understanding of people of diverse backgrounds
• Instances of when we've integrated our unique backgrounds into our roles and auditions
• The progress as well as the gaps in representation across different ethnic groups in the industry
• Is the onus on actors to determine their limits in portraying diverse roles, in an effort to help make sure that groups are represented authentically?
• Dilemmas that actors can face when they don’t fit neatly into a box
• Mixed Families On-Screen: A reflection on the evolving portrayal of diverse families in TV, film, and commercials.
• On opportunities to play mixed roles and how it feels to play a mixed character 
• Matilda’s promise to Mother Teresa

 

Special Guest: 

Matilda Comers

Manager/Producer

Matilda started out as a Promotions and Digital Editor at Universal Music Group, Australia. 

She then became the Director of Australians in Film, where she ran prestigious programs such as  The Heath Ledger Scholarship.

Following this she transitioned into producing and among other things notably co-produced together with Australians in Film; the LA version of the AFI-ACTA Awards Show, recognised as the Australian equivalent to the Oscars.

In 2016, she co-founded Fictious, a talent management and production company, in collaboration with partner Will Howarth.

 

Instagram: @fictiousmgmt

 

Additional info on the Podcast: 

Hosts: Amy Maghera -Taub, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara

Music: Mathias Kunzli - www.mathiasjunzli.com 

 

If you liked this episode please share it and subscribe to Mixunderstood where ever you listen to your Podcasts. 

 

Follow us:

Instagram: @mixunderstoodpod

Facebook: @mixunderstoodpod

Twitter/X: @Mix_understood

Tik Tok: @mixunderstood.pod

 

Contact:

Email: mixunderstoodpod@gmail.com

Ep 4: Mixed in Hollywood - Casting complexities and artistic empowerment with Crystal Yan-Kay Lowe

We’re kicking off our “mixed actors in the entertainment industry” series.

Lowe shares insightful and personal stories about navigating her career in the ever changing landscape of Hollywood being of both Chinese and Scottish heritage. 

We dive into diversity issues and casting complexities in the industry with mixed actors, as well as colorism and the importance of fair representation in media.

What do you do when your reps are asking you to “play up/down” one side of your identity because it’s “in”?

What roles are available for mixed actors and can a mixed actor play a monoracial role and vice versa? 

How far have we really come with portraying diversity on screen and how can we as actors take things into our own hands? 

 

Episode breakdown:

• Introduction to Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe
• Overview of her multicultural upbringing in Vancouver, Hong Kong and the USA
• Childhood anecdotes of growing up Scottish and Chinese
• How the industry perceives Crystal versus who she is and how she feels internally
• Diversity or lack thereof, in the industry, past and present
• Fitting into casting dynamics as a white passing mixed-race actor 
• Can mixed people play monoracial roles and vice versa? 
• Discussions about Colorism and fair representation in media 
• Ways that we can try to achieve diversity on screen
• Articles about recent instances of white washing in Hollywood films
• Emotional considerations around acting in accents from our different cultural backgrounds.
• Crystal reclaiming her name and knowing her worth as an artist.

 

Special Guest: 

Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe

Actor/Director

Crystal AKA Yan-Kay Lowe is a Chinese-Scottish-Canadian actor, director and writer.

She started her acting career at 15 years old and was quickly cast in numerous tv series including stargate SGI, The Twilight Zone and many more. As her film career blossomed she became one of Hollywood's most in demand 'scream queens' starring in numerous films including the beloved franchise, Final Destination, Children of the Corn: Revelation and Black Christmas . 

She has starred in the Canadian produced series Primeval as Toby Nance, as well as the hit Hallmark series  Signed, Sealed, Delivered, where she was nominated for multiple awards for best actress for her portrayal of the quirky and lovable Rita Haywith. . 

She has written, directed and produced numerous award-winning short films and was nominated for best international director for her short film, The Curtain. 

Most recently she's been selected as the first recipient of the new Hallmark women's director program.

Instagram: @officialcrystallowe

 

Links to resources:

2019 NBC News article on ‘Colorism’

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/nbcblk/colorism-reveals-many-shades-prejudice-hollywood-n959756

USD Student Media article

https://uofsdmedia.com/robbed-of-representation/

Interview with Alex Chester (Editor - in - Chief of the HAPA Mag)

https://www.mixedlife.net/eveything/2020/7/15/the-mixed-race-casting-debate-who-can-be-cast-in-what-roles

Art’s and entertainment section of THE GENERAL CONSENSUS- Hamilton-Wenham Regional High School’s student-run newspaper - Ella https://hwrhsgeneralconsensus.com/10771/arts-entertainment/from-yellowface-to-whitewashing-in-hollywood/

 

Additional info on the Podcast: 

Hosts: Amy Maghera -Taub, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara

Music: Mathias Kunzli - www.mathiasjunzli.com 

 

If you liked this episode please share it and subscribe to Mixunderstood where ever you listen to your Podcasts. 

 

Follow us:

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Twitter/X: @Mix_understood

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Contact:

Email: mixunderstoodpod@gmail.com

EP 3: Navigating those awkward teenage years as a multicultural and multiracial adolescent

Aghhh aren’t those teenage years hard enough without the added complexity of being mixed? We chat about our adolescent insecurities, heartbreaks and embarrassing stories, as well as the challenges and beauties of blending traditions and identities during hose critical identity forming years.  We also share research and data about child and teen development for people of mixed heritage. If you’re a parent of a mixed child/teen or know one, this episode is for you too! 

We discuss:

• Developmental theories for multiracial children and teens
• Mental health studies of mixed adolescents 
• Emotional needs of multiracial children
• The role of the parents of mixed kids
• The landscape of our teenage years and what we both did to fit in 
• Our Mothers’ techniques to keep an eye on us
• Teenage fashion choices
• Heartbreaks and crushes
• Stories of facing racism at a young age
• Insecurities: Unwanted body hair, eyebrows, boobs!
• Writing diaries and having good friends that saw us without labels

Links to resources: 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biracial_and_multiracial_identity_development

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/multiracial-identities-and-resilience-to-racism-the-role-of-families#Support-and-self-esteem

https://adaa.org/find-help/by-demographics/multiracial-comm

https://www.aacap.org/AACAP/Families_and_Youth/Facts_for_Families/FFF-Guide/Multiracial-Children-071.aspx

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/131481-whenever-two-people-meet-there-are-really-six-people-present

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/700564-if-you-are-always-trying-to-be-normal-you-will

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/876-to-be-yourself-in-a-world-that-is-constantly-trying

https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/8945949-the-universe-took-its-time-on-you-crafted-you-to

 

Additional info on the Podcast 

Hosts: Amy Maghera -Taub, Hanna-Lee Sakakibara

 

If you liked this episode please share it and subscribe to Mixunderstood where ever you listen to your Podcasts.

 

Follow us: 

Instagram: @mixunderstoodpod

Facebook: @mixunderstoodpod

Twitter/X: @Mix_understood

Tik Tok: @mixunderstood.pod

 

Contact

Email: mixunderstoodpod@gmail.com