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Latino Celebs You Probably Didn’t Know Were of Asian Descent
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a celebration of the history, culture, and achievements of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. It is observed annually in May and was first officially recognized by the US government in 1978.
May was chosen for AANHPIHM because it commemorates the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7th, 1843. May is also a significant month because it recognizes Golden Spike Day, May 10th, 1869, which marks the completion of the transcontinental railroad that was built with significant contributions from Chinese workers.
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AANHPIHM is a time to celebrate the many contributions that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made to the United States. These contributions span a wide range of fields, including business, education, government, law, medicine, science, sports, and the arts.
This month is also a time to reflect on the challenges that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have faced in the United States, which include discrimination, racism, and violence. However, despite these hardships, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have continued to persevere and thrive in the United States.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the need to celebrate the rich diversity of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. This awareness has led to several initiatives to promote AANHPIHM, including the creation of educational resources, public events, and social media campaigns.
AANHPIHM is an important opportunity to learn about the history and culture of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to celebrate the many contributions that these communities have made to the United States.
Latin Asian Celebrities
Many Latinasian celebrities have made significant contributions to the entertainment industry. Some of the most notable ones include:
Bruno Mars
The world-famous singer and performer, whose real name is Peter Gene Hernandez, was born in Hawaii to a half-Puerto Rican, half-Ashkenazi Jewish father, while his mother was born in the Philippines.“My father’s name is Pedrito Hernandez, and he’s a Puerto Rican pimp. There’s no denying that. My dad has called me Bruno since I was 2 years old,” he told Latina magazine.
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Enrique Iglesias
Although Spanish, he is generally called the “King of Latin Pop.” Enrique Iglesias is the son of famous Spanish singer Julio Iglesias and Isabel Preysler, a Filipino journalist and television host.
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Harry Shum Jr
The actor, who became widely popular from his role as Mike Chang in the show Glee, was born in Costa Rica and is the son of Chinese immigrants. He speaks English, Spanish, and Cantonese. “I was dealing with different identities outside the Asian and American sides. I also had a Latin side. Growing up there, I never felt I fit in anywhere. When I finally felt comfortable with Latin culture, then I was exposed to Chinese culture and then American culture,” he told HuffPost.
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Fred Armisen
The comedian is famous for his work on Saturday Night Live and Portlandia. His mom, Hildegardt Mirabal Level, was born in San Fernando de Apure, Venezuela, while his father, Fereydun Herbert “Fred” Armisen, was born in Soltau, Lower Saxony, Germany, to a German mother and Korean-born father, Park Yeong-in.
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