Nowadays, almost everyone is a mix of different races. While it can be an “Oh, that’s cool” moment when you discover someone you just met is a certain mix, it can also be pretty mind-blowing when people you’ve idolized and watched on screen are of a race you didn’t expect them to be.
Here are a few people who are in the spotlight we never realized had some Chinese flavor in them:
Olivia Munn
Source: IMDb
This actress can thank her mother for her Chinese-Vietnamese heritage. You may have seen Olivia shine on TV shows like The Newsroom and more recently, in the movie, X-Men:Apocalypse.
Charles Mingus
Source: WBGO
The American jazz musician had a Chinese mother and an American army man father.
Jennifer Tilly
Source: InSession Film
An icon in the horror film community, you might know Jennifer better in her doll form as Chucky’s Bride, Tiffany.
Kelis
Source: That Grape Juice
Her milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and this singer-turned chef now features a lot of Asian dishes in her cookbook as a nod to her Chinese roots.
Tyson Beckford
Source: Pinterest
This top model is still looking good at the age of 50, and I’m gonna say we can attribute that to the fact that Asian don’t raisin and black don’t crack.
Keanu Reeves
Source: IMDb
Fans have loved him in The Matrix and John Wick trilogies and more. In his case, Keanu’s Hawaiian-Chinese grandmother is to thank for any trace of Chinese in him.
Kristen Kreuk
Source: Comic Book
Kristen Kreuk is best known for the TV show, Smallville, but she also played the well-known Chinese video game character, Chun-Li in the film, Street Fighter: The Legend of Chun-Li.
Ne-Yo
Source: Instagram
The American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer, and dancer rose to fame in 2004 when “Let Me Love You,” the song he wrote for singer Mario reached the Billboard top 100. You might know him better for the tune, “So Sick,” a song that will easily get stuck in your head.
Kelsey Chow
Source: Instagram
The Disney star also appeared in a recurring role on the TV show, One Tree Hill, as Gigi. She was very young when she got that role, but the encouragement she got from the people around her fueled her acting dreams.
Janel Parrish
Source: Instagram
In case you don’t recognize her as Margot, the sister of the lead from the hit romantic movie, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, she might also trigger memories of watching Pretty Little Liars where she played Mona Vanderwaal.
Chloe Bennet
Source: Instagram
The star was a part of the main cast of the TV show, Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Her birth name was Chloe Wang and she moved to China when she was 15 to pursue a singing career. She lived with her amah while she was there and learned Mandarin, too.
Dennis Trillo
Source: Facebook
Did you know this local celeb’s full name is Abelardo Dennis Florencio Ho? The actor, model, and recording artist is currently under contract with GMA Network.
Slater Young
Source: Instagram
Jan Slater Lee Young is actor, engineer, model, and television personality from Cebu. The new father is best known for winning local TV show, Pinoy Big Brother, in 2012.
