Latest news with #AAPI
Eater
5 days ago
- Business
- Eater
The Latest Way JP Morgan Is Attempting to Lure Office Workers? A Danny Meyer-Curated Food Hall
JP Morgan's fancy new $3 billion 60-story skyscraper at 270 Park Avenue between East 47th and 48th streets, is making its latest move to lure employees back: a Danny Meyer-curated food hall. Two restaurants announce they're flipping to catering Harana Market, one of the most exciting restaurants to open in the Catskills – known for Filipino dishes like its tofu sisig – surprised fans when it announced that it would be winding down dine-in service this fall. Through Labor Day, they're moving service to Saturdays and Sundays only from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. After that, they will convert the space into a commissary kitchen to cater to pop-ups and other events. 'This evolution is part of our commitment to keeping Harana sustainable for us as a family while remaining rooted in the things we love most: feeding people, building connections, and amplifying and uplifting our Queer, Trans, and AAPI culture,' the post reads. Harana Market first opened in Woodstock in 2020 as a deli and pantry shop before relocating to a larger space in Accord, New York, in a former barn in 2023 as a full-on restaurant. In 2024, it was a James Beard finalist. Meanwhile, over in Brooklyn, the Greenpoint neighborhood French restaurant Fin Du Monde announced over the weekend that it would be discontinuing its restaurant service as of August 16. Come fall, the restaurant will also pivot to a private events space, as well as a hub for classes and catering. Before opening in 2020, chef Nick Perkins had worked for Diner and Marlow & Sons, with his wife Mona Poor-Olschafskie, an alum of several Brooklyn breweries. More fro-yo coming to Manhattan We are in the midst of a big fro-yo boom. Last month, Eater reported Mimi'swould be opening at 231 Lafayette Street, at Spring Street, where Soho meets Nolita. Now we have the scoop on another fro-yo shop: Birdie's is coming to 152 Seventh Avenue South, at Charles Street, in the West Village. Owner Alexa Marks, a former social worker, tells Eater that she wanted to start the business because she missed the way 'the local fro-yo shops were everyone's watering hole' back home in Los Angeles, and wanted to bring that here. 'Frozen yogurt really needed a refresh, something that meets the times while still keeping the simple joy people love about.' Flavors will include chocolate, vanilla, original tart, peanut butter, coffee, and a dairy-free option, with a toppings bar. Eater NY All your essential food and restaurant intel delivered to you Email (required) Sign Up By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Washington Post
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
The ‘Maybe Happy Ending' recasting is a major misstep
'Maybe Happy Ending' began as an underdog, its uncertain fate summed up by the title. When the rom-com about two outdated humanoid robots opened in November, it defied the reigning formulas for Broadway musicals spun from popular movies or song catalogues, with its dazzling score, oddball story and intimate, gorgeously executed production. Critical acclaim and word of mouth helped 'Maybe Happy Ending' prove that quality and originality can still win out on Broadway. Its ticket sales increased and it took home six Tony Awards, including for star Darren Criss, who made history as the first Asian American to win best leading actor in a musical. Now, the production is engulfed in controversy over its decision to cast a White actor, Andrew Barth Feldman, to take over the role when Criss leaves at the end of August. The musical's unusual development trajectory began with a Korean-language 2016 premiere in Seoul, where the story is partly set, and subsequent productions in Japan and China. The original Broadway cast features mostly actors from Asian American and/or Pacific Islander (AAPI) backgrounds, so the replacement has been perceived as snatching an opportunity away for another AAPI performer to assume the role. The move is a fumbling misstep that could have easily been avoided — there's no shortage of talented AAPI actors to play the role — and it's drawn particular ire toward a show that's already an unlikely triumph. Outcry has ignited on social media over the past week. Tony winner B.D. Wong called Feldman's casting 'a hard slap in the face of both the Asian actor community and the Asian audience,' in a lengthy and impassioned Facebook post. 'Oh, Mary!' Tony nominee Conrad Ricamora pointed to the 'pain from being told — subtly and explicitly — that we don't belong' and said that he launched a scholarship fund for Asian American men to study acting. The advocacy group Asian American Performers Action Coalition released a statement expressing 'profound disappointment.' The response from 'Maybe Happy Ending' creators Will Aronson and Hue Park, posted Thursday to the show's Instagram account, raises some valid counterpoints amid a soft shoe of mea culpas. Yes, these are robots we're talking about, and do they even have ethnicities? They acknowledged that 'the makeup of our opening night cast became a meaningful and rare point of visibility' for the AAPI community but also claimed that such representation 'wasn't our original intent.' They went on to suggest, with a deep backbend in logic, that casting actors of any Asian background to play the robots — as a shorthand way of establishing the Korean setting — might seem 'regressive, or even offensive to the uniqueness of Korean culture.' A commenter on the post helpfully pointed out that in May, during Asian Pacific Heritage Month and the show's Tony campaign, the account posted: 'Maybe Happy Ending is proud to be a part of rejoicing Asian representation on Broadway ✨ As we celebrate diverse voices on stage.' It seems that touting the show's commitment to representation was advantageous until the precise moment that it wasn't. In their statement, Aronson and Park also expressed their hope that the musical will enjoy a long life and eventually be performed by a variety of actors in different contexts while still being set in Korea. For now, the show is still on Broadway, where it surpassed steep odds but remains in a fragile position, despite its Tony win for best musical. The production, which opened with modest advance ticket sales, has seen weekly grosses grow steadily this summer to consistently exceed the $1 million mark. But running a Broadway musical is hugely expensive, and the vast majority fail to recoup their initial investment. The show will compete with a new season of shows in the fall. That's the environment in which the production decided to cast Feldman, who in 2019 stepped into the lead role of 'Dear Evan Hansen' while still in high school. Though not exactly marquee casting, his profile among musical theater fans — he has over a quarter million Instagram followers, a sizable count for a Broadway star — can't hurt. (Feldman also happens to be in a relationship with the show's lead actress, Helen J Shen, which could be seen as a marketing opportunity.) But 'Maybe Happy Ending' has been buoyed by the goodwill of its supporters, and losing that now could affect its future. To repeat the obvious, stories that showcase Asian and Asian American characters — and opportunities for artists from those backgrounds to play them — are rare across American media, and particularly in the limited real estate of Broadway. Another Tony winner this year, Francis Jue, won for his performance in 'Yellow Face,' David Henry Hwang's play about casting White actors in Asian parts. That show, first produced in 2007, partly recalls Hwang's own highly publicized campaign against the casting of a White lead in the Broadway premiere of 'Miss Saigon.' History still seems to be repeating. The problem is systemic and can be traced through the pipelines that have led to a preponderance of White leadership across the industry — among educators, artists and, crucially, producers. All of that needs to be addressed, with concerted effort and at every level, if the industry hopes to achieve the sort of change to equity and representation that was called for when the movement known as We See You, White American Theater released a call to action in 2020 with 82,000 signatures. One show, and one casting replacement, isn't going to fix the root of the problem. And perhaps eventually, 'Maybe Happy Ending' could be performed by actors of any background and not draw backlash. But on the heels of Criss's historic win, and at a time when the social value of diverse representation is being questioned altogether, the casting decision is an unforced error. 'Maybe Happy Ending' has an opportunity to be part of the solution to a problem its existence is helping to solve already. The production has taken its biggest risk, in bringing an offbeat, difficult-to-market show to the industry's top platform and achieving an escalating level of success. Why not continue to showcase Asian American talent while they're at it?
Yahoo
29-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
In 'Freakier Friday,' Manny Jacinto plays Lindsay Lohan's love interest. Why his leading man status is a big deal.
Jacinto hive, rejoice: Our boy's a romantic lead. At this point, it's an undeniable fact: Manny Jacinto is in his leading man era. It's been a whirlwind few years for Jacinto, who is currently on the press tour for Freakier Friday, the Freaky Friday sequel out Aug. 8. A follow-up to its 2003 predecessor, Freakier Friday sees Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reprise their roles as body-swapping mother-daughter duo Anna and Tess Coleman, who find themselves in familiar territory two decades later, only this time, Anna's daughter and stepdaughter-to-be are thrown into the mix. Jacinto plays Eric Davies, Anna's husband-to-be, who's completely unaware that his fiancée has swapped places with his stepdaughter-to-be, and that his daughter has traded places with his soon-to-be mother-in-law. The 37-year-old actor is aware of how big this opportunity is. 'It's wild that I get to do this. I never would have thought I'd play the love interest to Lindsay Lohan; I watched Lindsay Lohan as a kid,' he told InStyle in an interview published Tuesday morning. 'It's wild what you can do if you put your mind to it.' More than starring opposite Lohan, Jacinto was mostly drawn to the role because of its significance to the Asian American community. It's not often we see a man who looks like Jacinto in such a mainstream role — and he knows that. 'I mean, you don't get to see a lot of Asian American males as a love interest, or as a solid father figure, and that was definitely the part that enticed me about it,' Jacinto told Deadline last week. With Freakier Friday, Jacinto fully seizes his leading man potential. For fans who have been following him since The Good Place, his rise to fame — and newly minted heartthrob status — is a point of pride. 'Without giving the algebra of representation too much credit, there's something pleasurable about seeing an Asian man romancing anyone and getting a break from the more familiar interracial combo of white man/AAPI woman,' Veronica Fitzpatrick, a Filipino American adjunct assistant professor of modern culture and media at Brown University, told Yahoo. 'That we're seeing it in a mainstream film like Freakier Friday … helps further normalize the very normal, very not-novel idea that AAPI men have sex appeal and romantic currency.' Raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, the Filipino Canadian actor nabbed his breakthrough role on NBC's The Good Place, where he charmed audiences as the often aloof but well-intentioned Floridian Jason Mendoza. From there, Jacinto landed a starring role on the Nicole Kidman-led series Nine Perfect Strangers before appearing in her ex-husband's blockbuster hit Top Gun: Maverick a year later, despite all his lines famously being cut. Jacinto's rise to the top has been slow and steady, though his portrayal of brooding Sith Lord the Stranger on Disney+'s The Acolyte triggered a shift in how Hollywood perceives him: as an Asian male worthy of a lead role. Jacinto has even received the TikTok treatment: He was the subject of several shirtless, lustful edits on the app that had loyal Acolyte fans rethinking their allegiances. 'The Stranger flips classic gender tropes of hypersexualization,' Leslye Headland, The Acolyte's creator and showrunner, previously told GQ. 'But a true sex symbol is someone who resonates emotionally with fans. Manny's magnetism is rooted in his acting, not just his physique. His ability to access vulnerability, empathy and longing is very compelling.' Women, it seems, have played a crucial part in Jacinto's continued success and rise to stardom. His female fans are plentiful, but Jacinto is especially moved by the championing that women behind the scenes are doing for him. Without them, he told InStyle, his career wouldn't have gone in the direction that it has. 'Women have been a huge champion for me. It's always been women who have been able to look past what I have done and see the potential of what I can do,' he said, naming Kidman, Headland and Freakier Friday's Nisha Ganatra. 'Thank God I get to do this during this day and age when there are so many women at the top … who see my potential and are not afraid to explore that.' Solve the daily Crossword
Newsweek
27-07-2025
- Business
- Newsweek
Donald Trump's Favorability Rating Falls With AAPI Adults
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. President Donald Trump's favorability among Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) adults has dropped significantly over the past year, according to a new poll. The AAPI Data/AP‑NORC poll shows that the decline appears to be driven by economic concerns, particularly around tariffs and inflation, with many respondents expressing growing unease over Trump's policies and rhetoric. Newsweek contacted Trump's office via online form and AAPI Equity Alliance via email outside of usual working hours on Sunday for comment. President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Prestwick, Scotland, on July 25, 2025. President Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Prestwick, Scotland, on July 25, It Matters The shift signals changing political dynamics in one of the fastest-growing voter groups in the United States. The AAPI electorate has become more politically engaged in recent election cycles, and although it is not a voting bloc that has historically shown strong support for Trump, growing skepticism toward him could influence key battlegrounds in the 2026 midterms and beyond. As reported by the Associated Press, the poll is part of an ongoing project aimed at examining the perspectives of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders—a demographic often underrepresented in national surveys because of limited sample sizes and insufficient linguistic accessibility. The data highlights how economic anxiety and policy perceptions are shaping voter attitudes among these traditionally underrepresented communities. What to Know The national poll, conducted from June 3 to 11, 2025, surveyed 1,130 AAPI adults and found that 71 percent now hold an unfavorable opinion of Trump, up from 60 percent in December 2024. The unfavorability spike is particularly pronounced among AAPI independents, where there has been a nearly 20-point increase this year. Economic concerns appear to be a major factor. About 80 percent of AAPI adults believe Trump's proposed tariff policies would raise consumer prices. Only 40 percent expect positive outcomes like increased U.S. manufacturing, and just 20 percent anticipate job growth. A significant 65 percent of respondents say they are "extremely" or "very" worried about the possibility of a recession, compared to a national average of 53 percent who said the same in an April AP-NORC survey, the Associated Press reported. The latest poll was conducted amid Trump's recurring threats to impose new tariffs, which he says are intended to address the nation's trade imbalance. In June, inflation rose to its highest level since February, with Trump's tariff policies contributing to increased prices om everyday items, including groceries and household appliances. What People Are Saying Michael Ida, a 56‑year‑old teacher from Hawaii, said, as reported by the Associated Press: "Here in Hawaii, because we're so isolated, everything comes on a ship or a plane. We're especially vulnerable to prices rising and disruptions in the supply chain. There's definitely some anxiety there." Shopan Hafiz, a 39‑year‑old engineer from Oregon, voiced concerns over tariffs, as reported by the Associated Press: "With all the tariffs, I don't think it's going to help. All the tariffs will ultimately be paid by U.S. nationals, and inflation is going to get worse." Hafiz's decision to vote for Libertarian Party nominee Chase Oliver last year was in part in opposition to the two major U.S. parties' support for Israel in its war in Gaza, which has so far killed over 56,000 Palestinians following Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel that killed some 1,200 people and led to some 250 being captured and held in captivity. Karthick Ramakrishnan, executive director of AAPI Data, said, referring to AAPI voters, as per Associated Press: "They are not seeing big economic benefits pan out. Quite the contrary—they're seeing big economic risks on the horizon based on Trump's actions on tariffs." What Happens Next With AAPI communities making up about 7 percent of the U.S. population—and growing fastest in several key swing states—these changing views could play a significant role in shaping electoral strategies for the Republican and Democratic parties. Analysts expect further polling, increased multilingual outreach, and renewed focus on economic messaging in AAPI engagement efforts ahead of the 2026 midterms and 2028 presidential race.
South China Morning Post
23-07-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Trump's unpopularity rises among Asian-Americans, Pacific Islanders, poll finds
A small but fast-growing group in the United States has soured somewhat on President Donald Trump this year, as they worry about high costs and fear that new tariff policies will further raise their personal expenses, a new poll finds. The percentage of Asian-American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders with an unfavourable opinion of Trump rose to 71 per cent in July, from 60 per cent in December, according to a national survey by AAPI Data and the Associated Press-NORC Centre for Public Affairs Research. Notably, AAPI adults who describe themselves as independent are especially likely to have cooled on the president. About 7 in 10 AAPI independents have a 'very' or 'somewhat' unfavourable opinion of Trump, up roughly 20 percentage points since December. The poll is part of an ongoing project exploring the views of Asian-American, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, whose views are usually not highlighted in other surveys because of small sample sizes and lack of linguistic representation. AAPI independents' unfavourable view of Trump is higher than his unfavourable rating among independent adults overall, which was 52 per cent in a June AP-NORC poll, having nudged slightly higher from 44 per cent in December. Economic concerns could be playing a central role. About 8 in 10 AAPI adults expect Trump's tariff policies will increase the cost of consumer goods, the poll found, while only about 4 in 10 think those policies will boost domestic manufacturing and just 2 in 10 anticipate more US jobs as a result.
