15 Asian American And Pacific Islanders Who Are Making Waves In Hollywood

Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in Hollywood has been growing, and this list highlights some of the celebrities helping push that visibility forward. From actors and musicians to athletes and public figures, these names have become part of a bigger conversation about who gets seen on screen and in the spotlight.

The article looks at 15 AAPI celebrities whose heritage and careers have drawn attention for different reasons, whether through acting, music, sports, or public advocacy. Some have spoken openly about identity, while others are recognized for the way they represent their communities in mainstream entertainment.

Here are the AAPI stars making waves right now.

1. Constance Wu

The Chinese-American actress may be best known for starring in Fresh Off the Boat and Crazy Rich Asians.

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I'm very happy with the kind of change that's been happening.

"I'm very happy with the kind of change that's been happening."

"It's exciting to see so many stories by and about Asian American people," she told The Guardian, "I'm very happy with the kind of change that's been happening."

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I think it is important for people to embrace their culture and learn about their history

2. Olivia Rodrigo

After her breakout role on Disney's High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Rodrigo really found herself as a solo musical artist with hits like "Driver's License" and "Good 4U."

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She's always been vocal about supporting her community.

"I think it is important for people to embrace their culture and learn about their history"

"My family and culture are a big part of who I am. I think it is important for people to embrace their culture and learn about their history," she shared about her Filipino heritage.

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Her parents are immigrants from Jamaica and India

3. Auli'i Cravalho

Auli'i Cravalho, the voice behind the titular character in Disney's Moana, and starring in Hulu's movie Crush, is a native Hawaiian.

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It's an honor just to be Asian.

She's always been vocal about supporting her community.

She recently made headlines criticizing protestors who wanted to reopen Hawaii during the initial pandemic lockdowns.

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Naturally being biracial shapes you as a person because you experience different things.

4. Kamala Harris

Kamala Harris is not only the first Black American but also the first South Asian American to be elected vice president of the United States.

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He's always been outspoken about his love of Hawaii

That “Fresh Off the Boat” momentum feels different from Danielle Fishel being told she couldn’t show her arms.

Her parents are immigrants from Jamaica and India

She was born in Oakland, California.

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But I think we know what it is.

5. Sandra Oh

in 2019, Sandra Oh became the first Asian woman in 40 years to win a Golden Globe for best actress in a TV drama. She's most famously known for starring in Grey's Anatomy, and Killing Eve, and voiced Ming Lee, Meilin's mom, in Pixar's Turning Red.

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There's still profiling when it comes to Polynesians.

"It's an honor just to be Asian."

She famously said at the Emmys, "It's an honor just to be Asian."

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My relationship to my Asian identity, it's always been good and healthy.

6. Hayley Kiyoko

Kiyoko is a triple threat, as a singer/songwriter, actor and director. She has been open about being biracial, she's Japanese, Scottish, and Welsh.

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His love of Hawaii inspired him to launch his own line of water.

"Naturally being biracial shapes you as a person because you experience different things."

"As an actress for example, I'm constantly going out for Asian American roles and 'I'm not Asian enough,'" she told Mandatory. "They will flat out say that. Then I'll go out for open ethnicity roles, and they will go, 'You're not white enough.' It's just part of who I am and what I look like."

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She announced in May 2022 that she's started her own sports agency.

7. Dwayne Johnson

We all know and love Dwayne Johnson, whether it be from his wrestling career, the Fast & The Furious franchise, or Moana. The Native Hawaiian keeps busy, and he is one of the world's highest-paid actors.

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The comedian mother is also an actress and writer

He's always been outspoken about his love of Hawaii

"There's no place like these islands. They are alive. And the mana is real — it's strong and powerful," he told Travel & Leisure. "You get lost in time when you're over here. In New York and LA, it's a nonstop treadmill. But you come out here and you just lose track of time. I'm a big evangelist when it comes to talking about aloha spirit and what that means."

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Munn said when she first started as an actress, many times she was told she was “too white” to play the Asian role and “too Asian” to play the white role.

8. Chrissy Teigen

Chrissy Teigen has been open about her Thai heritage and shares the influences it has on her life and the recipes she shares. She expressed a growing worry about the safety of her mother, Vilailuck "Pepper" Teigen, as the ongoing violence against Asian Americans continues to grow.

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We're a very underrepresented population in Hollywood, but we are the majority population of the world," he told Refinery 29.

Which of these AAPI stars stood out to you most?

Share your thoughts in the comments and send this list to a friend.

Want another Hollywood tension story? See how Kaley Cuoco handled an A-list actress who overlooked her on “Charmed”.