Darren Criss wins Golden Globe for 'American Crime Story'

"Son of a firecracker Filipino woman from Cebu" is the first Filipino American to win a Golden Globe.



In another historic moment at the 76th Golden Globe Awards, Darren Criss took home the trophy for Best Actor in a Limited Series or TV Movie for his chilling portrayal of spree killer Andrew Cunanan in the FX anthology series American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.

Criss, whose mother is from the Philippines, is the first Filipino American actor to win a Golden Globe. In a heartfelt acceptance speech, he acknowledged his heritage and dedicated the honor to his mother.

"As we’ve seen, this has been a marvelous year for representation in Hollywood, and I am so enormously proud to be a teeny, tiny part of that as the son of a firecracker Filipino woman from Cebu that dreamed of coming to this country and getting to be invited to cool parties like this," Criss said. "Mom, I know you're watching this. You are hugely responsible for most of the good things in my life. I love you dearly. I dedicate this to you."

Sandra Oh won the entire Golden Globes

May you all win awards and take the opportunity to thank your parents in their mother tongue.



"Sandra Oh made history at last night's Golden Globes ceremony. Well, she made a lot of history. First, as a host: She is the first person of color to ever host the Golden Globes in its 76 year history, and the first Asian to host any major award show. And secondly, as a winner: By earning Best Actress in a Television Series Drama for Killing Eve, Sandra Oh became the first Asian performer to win multiple Golden Globes."

But perhaps most importantly, for so many of us, Sandra Oh's historic night made us feel seen. Like everybody else, I blinked away tears when her name was announced, as she walked out from backstage to accept the award, then took her moment to say "I love you" -- in Korean -- to her parents sitting in the back of the ballroom. And then bowed. May you all win awards and take the opportunity to thank your parents in their mother tongue.

Hey! Look at all these Asians nominated for Golden Globes

Crazy Rich Asians, Killing Eve and American Crime Story score multiple nominations.



At this year's Emmy Awards, Sandra Oh declared "It's an honor just to be Asian." True that, but hey, winning some actual awards ain't too shabby either. Nominations for the 76th annual Golden Globe Awards were announced on Thursday morning, and this time, it looks like some Asian folks are invited to the party.

This summer's runaway rom-com hit Crazy Rich Asians scored two nominations, including Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy, and Best Actress in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy for Constance Wu.

Wu's nomination marks the first time in nearly half a century that an Asian woman has earned a Best Actress nod in either of the Golden Globe film categories. Previous lead actress contenders include Machiko Kyō for The Teahouse of the August Moon (1956), Nancy Kwan for The World of Suzie Wong (1960), Miyoshi Umeki for Flower Drum Song (1961) and Yvonne Elliman for Jesus Christ Superstar (1973).

Darren Criss wins Emmy for 'American Crime Story'

'Assassination of Gianni Versace' star wins Best Actor in a Limited Series.



Darren Criss made history at 70th Emmy Awards, winning Best Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his portrayal of Andrew Cunanan in FX's The Assassination of Gianni Versace: American Crime Story.

By our calculations, Criss is the first Asian American actor to win in this category, only the second actor of Asian descent to win in any acting cateogry, and the first Filipino American actor to win an Emmy. Ever.

Criss received wide acclaim for his haunting star turn as real-life killer Andrew Cunanan (who was Filipino American, like Criss). Season two of the FX true crime anthology series chronicled Cunanan's notorious 1997 murder spree, in which he killed four men before shooting famed fashion designer Gianni Versace in Miami.

"Oh, my God, you guys are witnessing the most extraordinary moment of my life thus far," Criss exclaimed as he took the stage to accept the award.

Andrew Ahn gave an acceptance speech for all of us

'Spa Night' wins the John Cassavetes Award at the Independent Spirit Awards.



Forget the Academy Awards. The best acceptance speech of the weekend happened at the 32nd Independent Spirit Awards, courtesy of writer/director Andrew Ahn. His acclaimed coming-of-age drama Spa Night won the John Cassavetes Award, which is presented to a film budgeted at less than $500,000.

Stepping up to the mic, Andrew nervously admitted, "I'm gonna barf," then offered some heartfelt thanks for honoring his film about a Korean American immigrant family and queer Korean American people. He also stressed the importance of telling stories by underrepresented voices.

"Now, more than ever, it's important that we support stories told by and about communities that are marginalized; that we tell stories about immigrants, Muslims, women, people of color, trans and queer folk," Andrew said. "Film is such a power tool in humanizing these communities so that we can't be pushed aside and labeled as "other." We are a part of this great country and we are undeniable."

Here's the full video of his speech:

Joe Seo wins Sundance Special Jury Award for 'Spa Night'

Actor wins award for Breakthrough Performance in writer/director Andrew Ahn's feature debut.



Over the weekend, the 2016 Sundance Film Festival wrapped up ten days of premieres and deals by handing out awards for the festival's top films. Huge congratulations go to actor Joe Seo, who won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Performance in Spa Night.

Seo plays 18-year-old David Cho, the closeted son of immigrants parents living and working in Los Angeles' Koreatown. As his parents struggle to make ends meet, David grapples with his awakening independence, sexuality and Korean American identity in writer/director Andrew Ahn's quiet, confident feature film debut.

Joe wasn't even at Saturday night's Closing Awards Ceremony, but Andrew was on hand to accept the award on his behalf. Here's video of Andrew collecting the trophy:

Randall Park and Constance Wu nominated for Critics' Choice Awards

Other noteworthy nominees include Aziz Ansari and BD Wong.



Congratulations to Randall Park and Constance Wu! The Fresh Off The Boat stars have both picked up well-deserved nominations in television comedy categories for the 21st Annual Critics' Choice Awards.

Critics' Choice Award Nominations Led by 'Mad Max,' 'Fargo'

Park and Wu, who have been kicking ass as Louis and Jessica Huang on the hit ABC comedy, are nominated for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, in a Comedy Series. Because the critics know what's up!

Tom Cross wins Oscar for Best Film Editing for 'Whiplash'

Film beats out heavy favorites at the 87th Annual Academy Awards



There's been plenty of commentary about the Academy Awards' stunning lack of diversity. I won't add to that, except to say that it's pretty sad to find yourself looking in the blurry background of crowd shots during the Oscars broadcast to catch anything remotely resembling an Asian face, and cheering when a movie about a friggin' cartoon Asian boy and his robot take home the award for Best Animated Feature. That's me.

So I was jolted out of my sad Asianspotting stupor last night when Tom Cross, who is Vietnamese American, took home the Academy Award for editing for his work on the feature film Whiplash -- the movie's third Oscar of the evening -- beating out the category's heavy favorites Boyhood and The Grand Budapest Hotel.

Here's Tom Cross backstage on the official Oscars "Thank You Cam":

Submit a nomination for the 2015 American Courage Awards

Deadline for submissions extended to Friday, February 13.



Do you know someone who has shown extraordinary courage or commitment to the cause of Asian American civil rights? Advancing Justice | AAJC is accepting nominations for the 2015 American Courage Award and Distinguished Service Award. The deadline for submissions has been extended to Friday, February 13.

Here are some more details about the award and the nomination process:

Yes, America. I saw an Asian at the Tony Awards.

Linda Cho wins Best Costume Design in a Musical for 'Gentlemen's Guide to Love & Murder'



The Tony Awards, presented by the American Theatre Wing, recognizes achievement in live Broadway theatre. So I was half-watching the 68th Tonys last night, noting the generally abysmal lack of Asian faces anywhere in the proceedings, particularly on stage. As expected. I think I spotted Lucy Liu in the audience. But then...

Congratulations to Linda Cho, who took home the trophy for Best Costume Design of a Musical, for her work on A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder, which was nominated in ten categories and won Best Musical. Here's the video for her acceptance speech, which was highlighted during the broadcast:

Vijay Seshadri wins Pulitzer Prize in poetry for '3 Sections'

First Asian American to be awarded the Pulitzer for poetry



Congratulations to Indian American poet Vijay Seshadri, who has been awarded the 2014 Pulitzer Prize in the poetry category for his collection 3 Sections. According to The Aerogram, Seshadri holds the distinction of being the first Asian American win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry.

Indian-Origin Poet Wins Prestigious Pulitzer

The 98th Pulitzer Prizes, considered one of the most prestigious awards in journalism, were announced on Monday. In awarding Seshadri's volume of original verse, the Pulitzer Prize committee described 3 Sections as "a compelling collection of poems that examine human consciousness, from birth to dementia, in a voice that is by turns witty and grave, compassionate and remorseless."

As part of the award, Mr. Seshadri wins $10,000, a certificate and eternal bragging rights.

Here's Seshadri talking about what winning the Pulitzer means to him:

Cecilia Chung named 'Woman of the Year' by California Assembly

Assemblyman Phil Ting honors transgender health advocate and civil rights leader



Congratulations to transgender health advocate and civil rights leader Cecilia Chung, who was one of three transgender women recognized by the California state Assembly this week as part of the Legislature's "Woman of the Year" celebration, honoring their important work towards breaking down barriers and fighting for equality.

Transgender activists named 'Woman of the Year'

During the annual Woman of the Year celebration, a woman from each Assembly District is honored in the State Capitol. On Monday, Assemblyman Phil Ting (D-San Francisco) honored Chung, who was introduced on the Assembly Floor and received a resolution recognizing her achievements.

Chung is currently a senior advisor for the Transgender Law Center, a health commissioner at the San Francisco Department of Public Health and a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS. She also plays a leadership role in international organizations, including the Global Network of People Living with HIV (GNP+) and the Sero Project. Her notable "firsts" include:

Boxers & Saints makes the National Book Awards Longlist

Gene Luen Yang is the first graphic novelist to be nominated twice for the prestigious award.

Awesommmmme! I've already told you how much I love Gene Luen Yang's latest graphic novel Boxers & Saints. It seems that the good people at the National Book Foundation like it too. The epic, two-volume book has made the prestigious 2013 National Book Award Longlist for Young People's Literature.

Boxers & Saints is the only graphic novel to make the list. Gene previously nominated back in 2006 for American Born Chinese, the first graphic novel ever to be a finalist for the National Book Awards. And now Gene is the first graphic novelist to be nominated twice. Double awesome.

Boxers & Saints is a powerful, brilliant work of historical fiction set during China's bloody Boxer Rebellion, told in two parallel stories from opposite sides of the conflict. It balances action, humor and spirituality in a masterful way that has really become Gene Luen Yang's trademark. The longlist recognition is well deserved.

The National Book Foundation will reveal the award finalists on October 16. If you haven't read Boxers & Saints yet, you gotta get on it now. Congratulations, Gene! For further information, check out his website.

More here: 2013 NATIONAL BOOK AWARDS: 'Boxers & Saints' graphic novelist Gene Yang calls long-list honor 'mind-blowing'

Nominate an artist for the 2013 Wai Look Award

Nominate an Asian American leader in New York City working for the advancement of the arts.



The Asian American Arts Alliance in New York is seeking nominations for the 2013 Wai Look Award for Outstanding Service in the Arts. The award, now in its third year and presented to a NYC-based Asian American leader in the arts, is a tribute to Wai Look, a former Alliance board member who passed away when she was very young. Here's some more information about Wai Look and the Award: