The 2024 MET Gala was initially a captivating event until a distressing video emerged depicting members of the K-pop group Stray Kids facing racist remarks. Despite their poised debut, photographers at the venue disparagingly referred to them as having ‘robot faces.’ This video quickly spread globally, sparking widespread outrage from fans who condemned the paparazzi for their unacceptable behavior.
Despite the increasing global reach of entertainment, exemplified by the success of shows like ‘Squid Game,’ ‘The Glory,’ ‘Citadel,’ and ‘Never Have I Ever,’ each featuring South Asian talent, one might hope that racism is on the decline worldwide. K-pop, particularly with the popularity of BTS, is often praised for bridging cultural gaps, yet incidents like these highlight the long road ahead in combatting racism.
This incident serves as a reminder of the numerous instances where artists from South Asia have faced racism in Western contexts, including figures like Priyanka Chopra, BTS, Dev Patel, Avantika Vandanapu, and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan. Priyanka Chopra, known for her roles in ‘Citadel’ and her Hollywood career, has spoken out about facing criticism and racism in the West, including comments about her skin tone and career choices. Similarly, BTS members have encountered racism and xenophobia, experiencing offensive questions and remarks about their ethnicity and culture.
Dev Patel, a British actor of Indian descent, has also discussed experiencing racism and being typecast in stereotypical roles in Hollywood. Additionally, actresses Avantika Vandanapu and Maitreyi Ramakrishnan faced racist backlash, with Avantika receiving criticism for potentially being cast as Rapunzel in a Disney adaptation, and Maitreyi facing mockery for expressing her dream role.
These incidents highlight the ongoing presence of racism and discrimination in the entertainment industry and society at large, a reality echoed by other voices such as Eric Nam and Mindy Kaling who have also shared their experiences of facing racism and discrimination in the West.
