Jon M. Chu Receives Legend Award at Gold House Gold Gala
On Saturday in Los Angeles, renowned director Jon M. Chu was honored with the prestigious Legend Award during the fourth annual Gold House Gold Gala. This event celebrates notable contributions from AAPI individuals to American culture.
A Celebration of Achievements
As a co-founder of Gold House and a key figure in the #GoldOpen movement, Chu was recognized for his impactful work in cinema, particularly for his direction of the acclaimed musical Wicked and its anticipated sequel, Wicked: For Good. His award, the A1 in Entertainment and Media, acknowledges his strides in Asian representation within the film industry.
Reflection on Asian Representation
In his acceptance speech, Chu highlighted the significant progress made in Asian representation over the last decade. Addressing an audience that included industry figures such as H.E.R., Ang Lee, and Dana LeDoux Miller, he remarked: “We’re not just guests at the table anymore. We built the damn house, and guess what? It’s made of gold, and we’ve got more work to do.” He emphasized the collective readiness of the Asian community to continue striving for excellence.
Memorable Moments on Set
Reflecting on his career journey, Chu shared a pivotal experience from the set of his 2013 film G.I. Joe: Retaliation. He recalled feeling nervous until star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reassured him, saying, “How lucky are we, a guy who looks like me, starring in a big ass movie directed by a guy that looks like you.” This moment underscored the importance of representation and support in the industry.
Growth Through Adversity
Chu discussed the marked shift in perception he experienced after the #OscarsSoWhite movement, realizing he was not alone in advocating for better representation. He noted successes within the Asian community, referencing moments from the set of Wicked involving Academy Award winner Michelle Yeoh and comedian Bowen Yang, illustrating a new era of confidence and ambition in the industry.
Honoring a Pioneer: Ang Lee
Also honored at the gala was filmmaker Ang Lee, recipient of the Gold Legend Award. Known for critically acclaimed works like The Life of Pi and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, he shared his journey, expressing gratitude for having the opportunity to create films in America. Lee emphasized the importance of learning and the progress made within the AAPI community.
Impactful Remarks from Gold House Leaders
Bing Chen, another co-founder of Gold House, concluded the evening with a message encouraging attendees to focus on making meaningful contributions to society. He stated, “The good news is you don’t have to do everything, you can’t. Nobody can. You just have to do one thing.”
A Night to Remember
The Gold Gala also recognized 100 influential AAPI individuals who have made significant cultural impacts over the past year. Guests enjoyed a dinner showcasing Filipino cuisine, curated by James Beard Award-winning chef Lord Maynard Llera and his team from the acclaimed Kuya Lord.