(PCM) The Warner Bros film, “Crazy Rich Asians” has without a doubt been one of the biggest surprise hit films of the summer. The film is poised to reach the $25 million dollar for the Labor Day weekend, giving the film it’s third box office title win, as it debuted at number one and has already grossed over $96 million world-wide.
The film, directed by Jon M. Chu from a screenplay by Peter Chiarelli and Adele Lim, is based on the 2013 novel of the same name by Kevin Kwan. The film stars Constance Wu, Henry Golding, Gemma Chan, Awkwafina, Nico Santos, Lisa Lu, Ken Jeong, Selena Tan and Michelle Yeoh, and follows a young Asian-American woman who travels to meet her boyfriend’s family and is surprised when she discovers they are among the richest in Singapore.
We recently had a chance to catch up with actress Selena Tan who plays Alix Cheng, who is one of Eleanor Young’s (Michelle Yeoh) sisters and Nick Young’s (Henry Golding) aunt in the film. She was one of the first Singaporeans to be cast in the film. Her character was brought up by her family to be modest and reserved, she is the less showy of her sisters—coming across as a bit of a miser—and often adopts self-deprecation. Nevertheless, she is the real architect of her family’s fortune in Hong Kong—channelling every cent of her husband’s considerable earnings into properties in Hong Kong just as the housing boom was taking off.
Check out what Tan had to say about her experience making “Crazy Rich Asians” below:
Q: How did you find out about the project Crazy Rich Asians?
SELENA TAN: I was asked by a casting director in Singapore to audition, but as I had just finished a major production and had already planned a 4-day family vacation in Thailand, I had to postpone the first two appointment dates. After coming back from Thailand, the casting director called again and said that they had not found what they were looking for, and we set another date.
Q: How did the audition go?
ST: I had fun preparing for the audition. I had my nails and hair done like a real “tai tai” (rich lady of leisure). They called back a few days later and told me I got the part of Alix Young.
Photo of me going for the audition:
Q: What do you appreciate the most about being able to perform for people?
ST: Being able to represent a part of their lives on stage or on screen gives me great pleasure. This connection is very precious and irreplaceable.
Q: Any backstage stories you can tell us about while filming the movie?
ST: There was a lot of waiting as many scenes were huge and involved a lot of people. There were days and nights when we entertained ourselves with the help of craft services and two packs of cards. It was a crazy, rich casino scene in the green room.
Q: Have you made any friends that you still talk to since the movie wrapped?
ST: I made many friends, and up until today, all of the cast are in one WhatsApp chat group, and we are constantly sending each other messages!
Q: The movie is a hit with audiences and has grossed around $30 million so far. Did you have any idea while filming that this movie would achieve as much success as it has been getting?
ST: I believe in timing…and in this particular film all the stars aligned to bring together a group of talented hardworking Asians. This breakthrough has led to a movement for Asian representation.
Q: What do you suggest Hollywood do to make it more of a culturally friendly town?
ST: Allow for different points of views and be open to the many stories out there.
Q: Any upcoming projects you would like to tell us about?
ST: I run a production company in Singapore called Dream Academy, and our next projects include a rerun of a racially inspired comedy show called Meenah & Cheenah and I am also working on a new Dim Sum Dollies® show entitled FULL STEAM AHEAD.
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