My Hero

I chose Ali Wong as my hero. 

Alexandra Dawn Wong, better known as Ali Wong is an Asian-American comedian, best known for her Netflix stand up comedy specials. She has won multiple awards for these, and an Emmy for role in the Netflix dark comedy series Beef, making her the first Asian woman to win a lead acting emmy.

I learned about Ali Wong when I saw one of her Netflix specials, and she instantly stood out to me. As someone whose half Vietnamese and half Puerto Rican, I look up to her not only because she talks about her mixed culture, family and career in a way that makes people laugh but also think,

but because she makes me want to be confident in my art and proud of who I am.

For my painting, I painted several versions of her from her Netflix specials in different spots of the canvas, to highlight her most iconic features. The largest version of her on the left of the canvas, smiling confidently holding a microphone, is meant to emphasize how much of a bold, strong, creative woman she is.

Painting Ali Wong helped me express pride in my mixed identity as well as celebrate someone who stands out in humor, talent, and strength.