--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't like when an Asian-American actor…" description: "\"I don't like when an Asian-American actor says, 'I'm entering this business to change Hollywood.' It feels like the wrong reason - I would prefer they ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c04/john-cho-3086_business_i-don-t-like-when-an-asian-american-acto_985392.jpg" --- # I don't like when an Asian-American actor says, 'I'm… ![“I don't like when an Asian-American actor says, 'I'm entering this business to change Hollywood.' It feels like the wrong reason - I would prefer they entered the business for artistic reasons, because they need to do it.” quote by John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c04/john-cho-3086_business_i-don-t-like-when-an-asian-american-acto_985392.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c04/john-cho-3086_business_i-don-t-like-when-an-asian-american-acto_985392.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c04/john-cho-3086_business_i-don-t-like-when-an-asian-american-acto_985392.jpg) > “I don't like when an Asian-American actor says, 'I'm entering this business to change Hollywood.' It feels like the wrong reason - I would prefer they entered the business for artistic reasons, because they need to do it.” [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Actors should pursue film for artistic passion, not merely to “change” the industry, as motives affect authenticity and impact. **In simple terms:** Art should drive careers, not just activism. Key Takeaway Focus on craft while supporting change. Themes career motivation artistic integrity industry change representation Mood thoughtful determined Type reflective inspirational When to use this quote - auditions - film projects - industry panels Key Concepts authenticity purpose Questions to Reflect On - Can activism and artistry coexist without conflict? - What responsibilities do actors have to their craft? A Different Perspective Activism alone may not guarantee artistic quality. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Asian american](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian-american/) [Business](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/business/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Hollywood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hollywood/) [Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reason/) ## Related quotes > [I always feel like people misunderstand the difference between an Asian story and an Asian-American story. That's completely different, too. I have friends who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arden-cho/i-always-feel-like-people-misunderstand-the-difference-between-an/) [Arden Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arden-cho/) > [I'd like to see more Asian-American roles where the ethnicity of the character can be swapped to another. We can, of course, play the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-fukuhara/i-d-like-to-see-more-asian-american-roles-where-the-ethnicity-of-the/) [Karen Fukuhara](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-fukuhara/) > [People make sequels a lot in Hollywood, and sometimes it feels like there's never an original thought.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jacqueline-bisset/people-make-sequels-a-lot-in-hollywood-and-sometimes-it-feels-like/) [Jacqueline Bisset](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jacqueline-bisset/) > [Even though ripping on those of the Christian cloth is nothing new, edgy, or thought provoking, Hollywood feels the need to do it with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-crowder/even-though-ripping-on-those-of-the-christian-cloth-is-nothing-new/) [Steven Crowder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-crowder/) > [Times change; Hollywood is not the same as it was when I first entered the business. It felt to me like it was starting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-redford/times-change-hollywood-is-not-the-same-as-it-was-when-i-first-entered/) [Robert Redford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-redford/) > [The Academy just reflects Hollywood. And until we break those barriers, until we have African-American or minority studio executives, 'til we have people who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/the-academy-just-reflects-hollywood-and-until-we-break-those-barriers/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [I keep it own hood, And I will never change, Never go hollywood, Let it be understood, That I'll be in the hood.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maino/i-keep-it-own-hood-and-i-will-never-change-never-go-hollywood-let-it/) [Maino](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maino/) > [The Asian-American kids I meet respond to a democracy in the vulgarity of my roles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/the-asian-american-kids-i-meet-respond-to-a-democracy-in-the/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [I feel like there's this need that the Asian-American community has to feel like people. It's something that Asians in Asia do not understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/i-feel-like-there-s-this-need-that-the-asian-american-community-has/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [Asian American men, Asian men have been basically eunuchs in American cinema and television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/asian-american-men-asian-men-have-been-basically-eunuchs-in-american/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [Yes, I do feel a responsibility, and always have, and it's been an odd burden for me. Even when I started and no one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/yes-i-do-feel-a-responsibility-and-always-have-and-it-s-been-an-odd/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [I know when I was growing up in New York, whenever I turned on the television, I never saw a face that looked like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/yunjin-kim/i-know-when-i-was-growing-up-in-new-york-whenever-i-turned-on-the/) [Yunjin Kim](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/yunjin-kim/) > [Muahhhh me love you long time like I'm asian ¥](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicki-minaj/muahhhh-me-love-you-long-time-like-i-m-asian/) [Nicki Minaj](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicki-minaj/) > [The New York Times - but the whole country gives it that weight. It's like the Asian kid in math class. Everybody in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bill-maher/the-new-york-times-but-the-whole-country-gives-it-that-weight-it-s/) [Bill Maher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bill-maher/) > [It's not racist if I like the race. But I don't like Asian people.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thom-yorke/it-s-not-racist-if-i-like-the-race-but-i-don-t-like-asian-people/) [Thom Yorke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thom-yorke/) ## More by John Cho > [What was exciting to me in talking to Kogonada was I was just very convinced that he was a very real and pure artist.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/what-was-exciting-to-me-in-talking-to-kogonada-was-i-was-just-very/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [I didn't think it was possible for Asians to be actors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/i-didn-t-think-it-was-possible-for-asians-to-be-actors/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [There was a while where every role I was getting offered was extremely noble - like the judge or the kindly nurse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/there-was-a-while-where-every-role-i-was-getting-offered-was/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [I don't know if I trust entertainment to teach anyone anything.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/i-don-t-know-if-i-trust-entertainment-to-teach-anyone-anything/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [With music I get to feel real ownership with what I do. I write it, I perform it and even if it is crap,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/with-music-i-get-to-feel-real-ownership-with-what-i-do-i-write-it-i/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [I've found that one's language abilities, especially for Korean kids like me, get frozen at the age you immigrated. So I've always associated Korea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/i-ve-found-that-one-s-language-abilities-especially-for-korean-kids/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [It's really weird to be in more than one franchise because an actor's life is so nomadic, and so it's a real privilege to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/it-s-really-weird-to-be-in-more-than-one-franchise-because-an-actor-s/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [I feel like there's this need that the Asian-American community has to feel like people. It's something that Asians in Asia do not understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/i-feel-like-there-s-this-need-that-the-asian-american-community-has/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [Not sleeping, listening to Paul Auster on Fresh Air. His function, tonight and ever, has been to remind me that I will die. Thanks…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/not-sleeping-listening-to-paul-auster-on-fresh-air-his-function/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [Conversely, the most powerful thing an actor can say is "no." If something is presented and it's a stereotypical role or something, you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/conversely-the-most-powerful-thing-an-actor-can-say-is-no-if/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [For a while, I was feeling like I was always playing characters that weren't specifically Korean or specifically Asian, even - that they were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/for-a-while-i-was-feeling-like-i-was-always-playing-characters-that/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [I hereby call for the execution of the person who designed the layout of rite aid stores.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/i-hereby-call-for-the-execution-of-the-person-who-designed-the-layout/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [Typically, actors overplay jargon or toss it away in an extravagant display of casualness. Real people hit the important parts hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/typically-actors-overplay-jargon-or-toss-it-away-in-an-extravagant/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [I grew up speaking Korean, but my dad spoke English very well. I learned a lot of how to speak English by watching television.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/i-grew-up-speaking-korean-but-my-dad-spoke-english-very-well-i/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [Sometimes I feel indie directors are in the game so they can make a film to get hired to do a big film -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/sometimes-i-feel-indie-directors-are-in-the-game-so-they-can-make-a/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) [Explore all 140 John Cho quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) ## More Asian american quotes > [“Why I am Passionate and Dedicated 1000% to producing and bringing my books Loving Summer, Bitter Frost, and other book series to the Screen…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kailin-gow/why-i-am-passionate-and-dedicated-1000-to-producing-and-bringing-my/) [Kailin Gow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kailin-gow/) > [The narrative needs to change. Asian-American actresses don't want to be the damsels in distress anymore. We don't want to be saved, especially by…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jamie-chung/the-narrative-needs-to-change-asian-american-actresses-don-t-want-to/) [Jamie Chung](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jamie-chung/) > [I have been called racist slurs and been treated differently because I am Asian American.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michelle-steel/i-have-been-called-racist-slurs-and-been-treated-differently-because/) [Michelle Steel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michelle-steel/) > [I feel like there's this need that the Asian-American community has to feel like people. It's something that Asians in Asia do not understand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-cho/i-feel-like-there-s-this-need-that-the-asian-american-community-has/) [John Cho](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-cho/) > [I think we have to get beyond the idea that we have to categorize people. We can now have action movies with two stars…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ebert/i-think-we-have-to-get-beyond-the-idea-that-we-have-to-categorize/) [Roger Ebert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ebert/) > [Asian American success is often presented as something of a horror - robotic, unfeeling machines psychotically hellbent on excelling, products of abusive tiger parenting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jenny-zhang/asian-american-success-is-often-presented-as-something-of-a-horror/) [Jenny Zhang](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jenny-zhang/) > [I wish people wouldn't just see me as the Asian girl who beats everyone up, or the Asian girl with no emotion. People see…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lucy-liu/i-wish-people-wouldn-t-just-see-me-as-the-asian-girl-who-beats/) [Lucy Liu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lucy-liu/) > [My heritage is something that I have always been aware of, however, some would say that there is a disproportionately low number of Asians…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nathan-adrian/my-heritage-is-something-that-i-have-always-been-aware-of-however/) Nathan Adrian > [I ended up going into the Master's program for Asian-American studies at UCLA, in part because I was passionate about it, but also because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/randall-park/i-ended-up-going-into-the-master-s-program-for-asian-american-studies/) [Randall Park](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/randall-park/) > [Nationally, more than one million Asian American entrepreneurs create jobs in their communities, helping fuel local commerce. In New York, we have seen firsthand…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nydia-velazquez/nationally-more-than-one-million-asian-american-entrepreneurs-create/) [Nydia Velazquez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nydia-velazquez/) > [“The irony of acquiring a foreign tongue is that I have amassed just enough cheap, serviceable words to fuel my desires and never, never…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/monique-truong/the-irony-of-acquiring-a-foreign-tongue-is-that-i-have-amassed-just/) [Monique Truong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/monique-truong/) > [“My nose does not look like Barbie's nose and that's perfectly fine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-thoughtful-beast/my-nose-does-not-look-like-barbie-s-nose-and-that-s-perfectly-fine/) The Thoughtful Beast > [I bring quadruple diversity to the Senate: I'm a woman; I'll be the first Asian woman ever to be elected to the U.S. Senate;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mazie-hirono/i-bring-quadruple-diversity-to-the-senate-i-m-a-woman-i-ll-be-the/) [Mazie Hirono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mazie-hirono/) > [My dad was a very unconventional Asian American man. He was very much not quiet, not shy, not passive. If he had to fart,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ali-wong/my-dad-was-a-very-unconventional-asian-american-man-he-was-very-much/) [Ali Wong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ali-wong/) > [“She believed being so free with her sexuality was empowering, but I wouldn't say taking home a douchebag who would laugh about the encounter…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/teresa-lo/she-believed-being-so-free-with-her-sexuality-was-empowering-but-i/) [Teresa Lo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/teresa-lo/) [Browse all 176 Asian american quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/asian-american/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I don't like when an Asian-American actor says, 'I'm entering this business to change Hollywood.' 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