WISE Celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month

Honoring the Trailblazing Women of Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage in Global Entertainment

At WISE (Women in Showbiz Everywhere), we celebrate the power of diverse voices in shaping global narratives. This AANHPI Heritage Month, we proudly spotlight the extraordinary women of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander heritage whose bold storytelling and creative leadership have transformed the world of entertainment — across film, television, music, and beyond.

🎬 Visionaries Behind the Camera

• Chloé Zhao – The first woman of color to win the Academy Award for Best Director (Nomadland), Zhao’s poetic, human-centered storytelling has redefined the cinematic landscape.

• Mira Nair – A global force behind Monsoon Wedding and The Namesake, Nair’s work masterfully bridges continents and cultures through deeply personal stories.

• Lulu Wang – Her acclaimed film The Farewell brought intergenerational Asian American experiences into the mainstream with honesty and heart.

• Miranda Kwok – Creator and showrunner of The Cleaning Lady, Miranda is breaking ground in network television with a complex, immigrant-centered drama led by a woman of color.

• Kogonada – Known for Columbus and After Yang, blending visual poetry with rich, introspective storytelling.

  
  

🎭 On-Screen Icons

• Michelle Yeoh – A global legend and the first Asian woman to win the Oscar for Best Actress (Everything Everywhere All At Once), Yeoh’s decades-long career spans martial arts epics to multiversal triumphs. A beacon of elegance, resilience, and reinvention.

• Sandra Oh – One of television’s most beloved and awarded actresses, Oh’s iconic roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Killing Eve have redefined representation and visibility for Asian women.

• Lucy Liu – A pioneering star of Ally McBeal, Kill Bill, and Elementary, Liu has long pushed past Hollywood’s limits with sharp, genre-spanning performances.

• Awkwafina – From The Farewell to Crazy Rich Asians and her own show Awkwafina Is Nora from Queens, her versatility as a rapper, actress, and comedian keeps breaking barriers.

• Mindy Kaling – Writer, producer, and star who has reshaped comedy with hits like The Mindy Project and Never Have I Ever, opening doors for South Asian stories on screen.

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🎵 Voices in Music & Composition

• H.E.R. (Gabriella Sarmiento Wilson) – Grammy and Oscar-winning R&B powerhouse of Filipino and African American heritage whose music speaks to identity, justice, and emotion.

• Norah Jones – The Indian American jazz-pop icon whose voice and songwriting have earned her critical acclaim and global adoration.

• Rina Sawayama – A fearless British-Japanese pop innovator redefining genre and gender in modern music.

• Kina Grannis, Mitski, and Ali Wong (also a celebrated comedian and writer) – All exploring the emotional landscape of identity and self-expression through song, satire, and storytelling.

🌺 Voices from the Pacific Islands

• Keala Settle (The Greatest Showman) – Her unforgettable performance of “This Is Me” became a global anthem of self-empowerment and pride.

• Auliʻi Cravalho (Moana) – A proud Native Hawaiian voice bringing authentic island storytelling to Disney and beyond.

These women (and countless others) represent the vibrancy, depth, and limitless potential of AANHPI talent in the entertainment world. Their work not only entertains — it opens hearts, shifts culture, and paves the way for future generations of storytellers.

At WISE, we are proud to honor and uplift AANHPI women, non-binary, and underrepresented creators — not just this month, but every day — through our programs, partnerships, and global community.

📢 Follow along all month as we spotlight their stories, their journeys, and their powerful contributions to the arts.

#WISESpotlight #AANHPIHeritageMonth #WomenInShowbizEverywhere #RepresentationMatters #AANHPIVoices #WomenInFilm #WomenInTV #WomenInMusic #CelebrateAANHPI #WISEWomen

Celebrate AANPHI Month with Women In Showbiz Everywhere (WISE), May 2025