Lana Condor and Brenda Song meet for the first time

Lana Condor (star of the To All the Boys franchise) and Brenda Song (star of The Suite Life of Zack and Cody and Dollface) meet for the first time in a video conversation with Character Media. The Asian American actresses are video bombed by fellow actor Cole Sprouse, as they talk about their work, their love of food, Asian women, and representation.

Lana gushes over Brenda saying, “You were the sole actor that I looked up to as a child because I was like, ‘she looks like me! And she’s in programming that is wildly commercial. And that is very hard to be the only Asian woman in a very commercial setting, especially during that time. So I would watch you, and be like, I think I could be an actor.’”

Brenda reflects on her own experience, “I am so incredibly amazed at how far this Asian community in Hollywood has come in just the past 20 years. Growing up for me, Ming-Na Wen was the only Asian American actress on TV that I saw that really inspired me. Like, ‘oh my goodness, I don’t have to be Jackie Chan or Jet Li to be in this industry.’ Especially Asian women representation in media, it’s so important. It’s so great now, finally seeing, what’s being represented in media, is finally reflective of what the world actually looks like."

Lana continues, “In terms of representation in the media, I think it’s such a joy to be in a position where you can make people not feel so alone. And I think that is my favorite part of the job. I want people to not feel alone when they’re watching my work. I want people to feel seen and not so different, and I want people to feel safe, and feel like anything is possible.”

“People often ask me, ‘Lana, does it stress you out or do you have fear because of this platform you’ve been given and you representing your people?’ And I always say no, it’s the greatest joy of all. It gives my life purpose, and I want people to feel safe,” Lana said.

Lana is the star of the new romcom Moonshot which is available now on HBO Max.