Wonder Woman of the Week: Constance Wu
This week's Wonder Woman is an actress that not only dominates in her performances but also inspires as an advocate for expanded Asian and Pacific Islander roles in the Hollywood film industry as well as championing the cause of improving the lives of immigrants to the United States. Constance Wu was born in Virginia in 1982 to two scientifically minded parents, and Wu initially following a similar career path majoring in psycholinguistics alongside acting classes in New York City. That combination likely played a major influence in Wu's later success- a combination of the psychology of language and acting. Wu's acting didn't take off immediately though. Like many actors and actresses, Wu started with small roles in television and independent films before starring in the web-series EastSiders for which she earned two Indie Series Awards. In 2014, Wu earned her first major role in a television show in the ABC sitcom Fresh Off the Boat. Wu earned several awards and award nominations for her performance on the show and landed on some major networks' radars.
In 2017, Constance Wu began work in her first major leading role in film with Crazy Rich Asians. The film was a sensational hit with both audiences and critics and was the highest grossing romantic comedy in a decade. It was also the first Hollywood film to feature an entirely Asian cast, and several members of the cast- including Wu- earned awards and award nominations for their performances. Wu would later star ing the Jennifer Lopez-led film Hustler which was another box office success for Wu and the rest of the film's cast. Off set, Wu has been a strong advocate for expanding the presence and role of Asians and Asian Americans in US television and film- having participated in a rare Asian-American screenwriter's lab and even speaking out against the complacency of her character in Fresh Off the Boat. Wu's advocacy for minority rights extends beyond Asian-Americans too. The actress is a firm supporter of immigrant rights in California (her current residence) and has spoken out in support of Californian immigrant families.
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