I’m a Chinese-Canadian who grew up splitting her TV time between Asian dramas and American rom-coms. So it is quite the understatement to say that I was excited to see British-Chinese actress Gemma Chan steal the show as the impeccable Astrid Leong in Crazy Rich Asians, the ground-breaking blockbuster of 2018. I still vividly recall the pride I felt when I walked out of that theatre that day. After all, it’s not every day that an actor of Chinese descent, born-and-bred outside of Asia, takes on an inspiring, strong and stylish Asian character. The fact that Crazy Rich Asians became the most successful romantic comedy of the decade (and the sixth highest-grossing rom-com of all time) was just butter on the popcorn.

Since that smash success, Chan has become one of Hollywood’s most exciting talents. The Oxford law graduate turned actor has appeared in Captain Marvel and Mary Queen of Scots; next up, she’ll star alongside Harry Styles and Florence Pugh in Olivia Wilde’s hotly anticipated thriller, Don’t Worry Darling. Chan is also a newly appointed beauty ambassador for L’Oréal Paris, joining fellow acting luminaries Jane Fonda, Viola Davis and Fan Bingbing. It’s heartening to know that Chan, 37, will be a beauty icon for younger generations, especially those growing up in North America with Asian backgrounds.

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