“All I had growing up was London Tipton”: Avatar: The Last Airbender Star Elizabeth Yu Complains about Almost Zero Asian-American Representation
The one thing that people have unconditionally come to love about Netflix’s live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender is the casting. The showrunners have stayed true to the foundational aspects and chosen great actors, experienced and amateur alike, including Elizabeth Yu, Gordon Cormier, and Daniel Dae Kim. They portray the incredible characters in the mythical world of Avatars who can bend elements. Seldom do we see such a culturally appropriate cast of actors who can resonate with their roles and play the characters seamlessly.
Elizabeth Yu on Getting to Play an Asian Character
In Avatar: The Last Airbender, Lord Ozai might begin the show with the central villain but slowly, his daughter’s descent into madness showcases her taking on the villainous mantle. Even though some die-hard fans expressed dissatisfaction over casting Elizabeth Yu as the fierce Princess Azula, they eventually came around after they saw the actress play the role to utter perfection. Behind her innocent and likable persona, a true actor was hidden who could feel the depths of madness and bring the menacing character to life on screen.
However, playing such a complex character was not easy. In an interview with Refinery29, Yu expressed how she seldom saw her people represented in movies and shows. In Disney’s The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, Yu found herself relating to the Asian-American chic character of London. Moreover, Yu wishes to showcase her talents so that people come to appreciate what people of Asian-American descent can bring to the table.
“All I had growing up was London Tipton. The idea that my little sisters are going to be able to watch TV and movies, and the likelihood of them getting to see someone that looks like them is so much higher, is such a win. It’s so healing to know that we’re creating an industry where little girls — little anyones — can feel like that. It’s monumental. It’s so important to be able to see yourself in stories. That’s what storytelling is about.”
She is proud to be a part of this shifting paradigm where women, especially Asian women are getting their fair share of the proverbial pie. Asian actresses are being nominated for the Oscars, winning big awards, and making a name for themselves in the industry. Yu hoped to see such an upheaval when she was a kid, but better late than never. Season 2 will increase focus on Azula as she becomes more powerful and grows more resentful. Yu is unbothered by fans’ backlash since she understands the occupational hazard of playing a villainous role.
Also Read: Gordon Cormier Turned Down Initial Offer For Avatar Live Action Audition For the Sweetest Reason
Elizabeth Yu’s Audition for Avatar: The Last Airbender
Yu was on an audition spree before landing the exceptional role in Avatar: The Last Airbender. She fought the urge to drop out of school as she realized she needed an option to fall back on. Soon after graduating high school, she landed the role in the Netflix show, only to hit it straight out of the park. As previously claimed by other actors including Gordon Cormier, the actors did not know what they were auditioning for. The series and their roles were not disclosed initially.
“They sent this completely fake, made-up storyline for this fake TV show. I was auditioning for a character named April. I became an FBI agent trying to figure out what I was actually auditioning for, because I was like, ‘Something about this does not feel real,’”
She was thrilled to know that the role was in an adaptation of the legendary Nickelodeon show. Talking about acting next to veteran actor Daniel Dae Kim, she expressed that it was intimidating at first, but eventually, the experience went smoothly. “Who wouldn’t feel like the baddest bitch in the room sitting next to Daniel Dae Kim as Ozai?” she added. The actress is excited to get started on the upcoming seasons since they will zero in on Azula’s character arc and showcase how she mirrors her father’s legacy.
