Popcorn With Peter Travers Season 11 Episode 57 'Crazy Rich Asians' Star Constance Wu on Her Game-changing Romantic Comedy

On this episode of Popcorn with Peter Travers, the acclaimed film critic and interviewer sits down with Constance Wu, the star of the rom-com sensation Crazy Rich Asians. Wu reflects on the groundbreaking nature of the film, which was the first major Hollywood production in years to feature an all-Asian cast. "It's not only rare to see any minority group be represented in such a large arena," Wu tells Travers, "but it's also rare to see them represented as normal human beings who are interested in love, who are interested in their families, who are interested in their careers."

Wu also discusses her own unlikely path to becoming a Hollywood leading lady. Before landing the role of Rachel Chu, the fish-out-of-water protagonist of Crazy Rich Asians, Wu had only a handful of TV credits to her name. "I never thought I was gonna be an actress, honestly," she admits to Travers. "It just seemed like something that was so unattainable." But after years of working odd jobs and pursuing her passion on the fringes of the entertainment industry, Wu auditioned for the part that would change her life. "I went in there feeling like, if this doesn't work out, it doesn't matter, because at least I tried," she recalls.

Of course, Crazy Rich Asians did work out, to the tune of over $200 million at the box office and widespread critical acclaim. Wu attributes the film's success to its universal themes of love, family, and identity. "There's nothing specifically Asian about those things," she says. "Those are things that we all experience as human beings." But she also notes the importance of representation in popular culture, and the way that Crazy Rich Asians has opened doors for other artists of Asian descent. "It's not just about the fact that an all-Asian cast can make money," Wu says. "It's also that there's a hunger for stories that we haven't been seeing before."

Travers and Wu also discuss some of the more controversial aspects of Crazy Rich Asians, including the criticism that the film perpetuates stereotypes and only features a narrow slice of Asian culture. Wu acknowledges that these critiques are valid, but argues that they are part of a larger conversation about representation and the limitations of Hollywood. "We're gonna have to take baby steps to get to where we want to go," she says. "And this is a step in the right direction."

Overall, this episode of Popcorn with Peter Travers offers a fascinating glimpse into the mind and career of one of Hollywood's rising stars. Wu's insights into Crazy Rich Asians and its impact on the film industry are sure to make viewers see the movie in a new light, while also highlighting the need for more diverse voices in entertainment.