"For me, I feel more Asian than anything."
Crazy Rich Asians star Henry Golding has shot down claims that he’s “not Asian enough” to have been cast in the film.
The mixed-race Malaysian actor, who was cast as Singaporean Nick Young – Crazy Rich Asians‘ lead male character, has defended responded to criticism against his ethnicity.
According to The Huffington Post, Mass Appeal said there are “levels to this whitewashing, and it’s not always a white person” and actress Jamie Chung called the casting “bullshit”. However, Chung did retract her comments.
Golding spoke to Variety in response to the criticism. “Am I Asian enough? I was born [in Malaysia], I have lived 17 years of my life here, so for me, I feel more Asian than anything,” Golding said.
“There are some sour people out there but we should be getting together and fighting for something bigger, rather than Asians against Asians,” he added.
Speaking to EW, Golding said the criticism regarding his casting was “quite hurtful”.
Golding was born in Malaysia to a British father and Malaysian mother from the Iban tribe in Sarawak. He is currently living in Singapore.
In other news, author of Crazy Rich Asians Kevin Kwan has revealed that Hollywood initially wanted to whitewash the lead female character in the film adaptation.
The most recent star to join the cast was Ken Jeong. Silicon Valley‘s Jimmy O. Yang announced he would be joining the cast back in May.
Ex-Machina and La La Land actress Sonoya Mizuno was cast in April, and Michelle Yeoh was announced to star in March.
Taking the lead role is Fresh Off The Boat‘s Constance Wu, who plays Rachel Chu.
Crazy Rich Asians will be released on 17 August 2018.