Ke Huy Quan, an Oscar-winning actor, was recently honored with the Gold House Leading Man award at the second annual Gold House Gold Gala in Los Angeles. The event celebrated the most impactful Asians on the company’s A100 list, which recognizes 100 AAPI individuals who have impacted American culture and society in the last year. The night was focused on celebrating Asian visibility and achievements, with little talk of the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike currently impacting the industry.
During the event, Quan delivered an impassioned speech, stating that winners don’t always have to fit a certain mold. He encouraged everyone to believe in themselves and their abilities to achieve success. The room was filled with notable figures such as Harry Shum Jr., Destin Daniel Cretton, Eva Longoria, Awkwafina, the cast of “Queer Eye,” and Tony Award winner Lea Salonga.
Sandra Oh, an actor and producer, was also presented with the SeeHer award, the highest recognition for artists who advocate for gender equality and portray characters with authenticity, defy stereotypes, and push boundaries in front of and behind the camera. Oh expressed her gratitude for the honor and stated that she has spent her entire career trying to accomplish the name of this award, not only for herself but for others.
The evening also saw Brie Larson present the New Gold award to her “The Marvels” co-star Iman Vellani. Additionally, there was an emotional resonance in the room as the Gold Generation award was presented to the cast and creators of “The Joy Luck Club.” Executive Producer and AMPAS president Janet Yang led the reunion with actors Ming-Na Wen, Rosalind Chao, Lauren Tom, Tamlyn Tomita, and Lisa Lu.
Gold House also unveiled a suite of new initiatives to further its focus on uniting, promoting, and investing in API creatives and companies. The night was kicked off by Gold House CEO Bing Chen announcing the Gold Bridge initiative, which is defined by three elements: bridging industries from content to commerce, bridging communities by showing how we can give a damn and invest in other multicultural groups, and bridging continents.
Overall, the second annual Gold House Gold Gala was a night filled with celebration, recognition, and inspiration. It highlighted the achievements of Asian individuals in American culture and society and showcased the importance of diversity and representation in the entertainment industry.