‘Hawaii Five-O’ duo opened the door to diversity in Hollywood
LOS ANGELES: This was the year Hollywood more fully embraced diversity while calling out executives and celebrities guilty of sexual harassment.
Asian stars Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park made headlines when they both exited “Hawaii Five-O” in June after appearing in the rebooted version of the CBS series since its 2010 debut.
And they made no secret about the reason why: they had been seeking pay parity with white stars Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan.
“It’s possible to be grateful for the opportunity and have respect for your colleagues and still maintain a steadfast sense of your self-worth,” Kim said in a Facebook post at the time. While CBS offered a different version of the negotiations (“Hawaii Five-O” showrunner Peter Lenkov insisted that CBS was “extremely generous” with the departing actors), Kim and Park opened the door to a necessary conversation about race and salary in Hollywood.
How do you solve a problem like whitewashing? Boycotts haven’t worked. Sometimes it takes an actor to step up — and step aside in place of a person of colour. That’s exactly what Ed Skrein, who was cast in the role of Major Ben Daimio in the new “Hellboy,” did just days after
It’s possible to be grateful for the opportunity and have respect for your colleagues and still maintain a steadfast sense of your self-worth.
his casting was announced, leaving the role after public outcry, saying he didn’t know his character was “of mixed Asian heritage.”
Daniel Dae Kim would go on to replace him. While you could argue that he shouldn’t have taken the part in the first place (and it would be a valid argument), stepping down was a bold move, and one that sets a precedent for other actors in his position.
This was also the year of empathy.
Ariana Grande was performing at a concert on May 22 in Manchester when unexpected tragedy struck: a terrorist bombing at the Manchester Arena, killing 23 people and injuring more than 500 others.
It would have been understandable for Grande to recoil from the public for awhile, but instead, she was back on stage no less than two weeks later in triumphant fashion.
Spearheaded in part by manager Scooter Braun, Grande headlined a benefit concert, One Love Manchester, raising funds for the victims of the bombing and featuring big names like Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Miley Cyrus. It also spawned one of Grande’s most memorable performances: a touching rendition of “Over the Rainbow.”
Immigration was no doubt a major issue this year, especially considering that President Trump staked his campaign, in part, on the promise of “The Wall.” “Jane the Virgin” star Rodriguez just didn’t speak out when Trump announced plans to roll back the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Programme — she’s developing an entire show aimed at dismantling the stigmas associated with immigrants and telling their stories. Titled “Illegal” and announced shortly after Trump’s DACA plans made headlines, it’s based on the life of series coexecutive producer and writer Rafael Agustin. It’s one of two shows related to immigrants she’s developing as part of her overall deal with CBS TV Studios.
The other, “Have Mercy,” focuses on a Latina doctor who is unable to practise when she immigrates to Miami.
Daniel Dae Kim, Asian star