Chloe Bennet knows what it’s like to straddle two worlds, and not just in ‘Interior Chinatown’

As I delve into the captivating narrative of Chloe Bennet’s life and career, I am left in awe of her journey and resilience. With roots deeply entwined in the television industry, she has grown up on screen, shaping her understanding of herself through the portrayal of her identity. Her experiences, much like a well-crafted script, are filled with twists, turns, and layers that resonate profoundly with many.

Detective Lana Lee, portrayed by Chloe Bennet, sparks discussion immediately upon her on-screen debut in the Hulu series “Interior Chinatown.

The new series, airing on Tuesday, was originally penned by Charles Yu and is an imaginative take on his novel, which won the National Book Award. It takes place in two distinct realms: One is a humorous take on crime dramas produced by Wolf Entertainment that have been popular on NBC for years; the other revolves around Willis Wu (played by Jimmy O. Yang), who works as a waiter at a Chinatown restaurant.

I’ve often found myself playing a supporting role in other people’s narratives, but that changed when I saw a crime unfold before my eyes.

Lana is called upon to aid in the investigation, according to Detective Sarah Green’s comment during a live press conference, due to “cultural aspects.” It’s worth noting that Lana has no prior knowledge or connection with the community at hand.

In a moment of awe, Willis finds himself spellbound upon catching a glimpse of Lana on a small television screen at work, amidst the bustle of servers and cleaners moving around him. Who is this radiant and stunning woman? Could she be the one to help him escape his life in Chinatown? However, his colleagues, including his best friend Fatty Choi, portrayed by comedian Ronny Chieng, seem preoccupied with something else: figuring out her ethnicity.

This scene has a similar vibe to one where we saw Bennet before. In Season 3 of “Dave” on FXX, she portrays Robyn, the photographer and girlfriend of the main character. When they first meet in the show, Dave queries if she’s of Latin heritage.

Born in Chicago as Chloe Wang, with a white mother and Chinese father, Bennett has grown accustomed to such remarks. She eventually adopted her father’s first name as her professional surname due to difficulties securing roles. In a widely shared 2017 Instagram post and subsequent interviews, she explained her choice, stating that a casting director informed her, “You aren’t quite white enough for the lead role, but you’re not quite Asian enough for the best friend role.

In a recent Zoom interview, Bennett remarks, “I’ve become accustomed to my identity being seen as an open field for speculation.” He continues, “People seem to enjoy playing a game of guessing who or what I might be, what limitations I might have, or even trying to figure out the extent of my characteristics.

Additionally, there have been speculations regarding Bennett’s father’s masculinity that she has encountered.

“The thing about internalized projections is you chalk your self-worth up to being … all right with it. But it really does put you in a position of feeling not whole,” she adds, saying that there are objective benefits to being white passing. “But that’s only if you’re thinking about existing in a flawed society. You can’t build up your psyche and your understanding of yourself based off of something that actually is arbitrary.”

In both “Interior Chinatown” and off-screen, several topics were frequently addressed. Yu likens his book and TV series to “The Matrix” movies, explaining that within this show’s universe, what appears to be reality may not match our perception because the characters are experiencing it differently from how we see it as outside observers.

Lana seems to grasp the principles, sequences, and frameworks that Willis is just starting to wrap his head around, which adds an interesting layer to our unfolding narrative.

(Also, for those wondering: No, Dick Wolf has not contacted Yu about his book or the series. “I live in fear but also excitement at the idea that he might actually watch this,” Yu says. “What I want to say to Mr. Wolf, if he reads this, is that his creative product has entertained me for hundreds of hours, And that comes through in a satirical nature.”)

In the book, the character named Karen is of mixed racial heritage. Author Yu uses this to illustrate her ability to maneuver through two worlds: one where stereotypical police characters eliminate organized crime within approximately 44 minutes, and another where an individual seeks self-discovery in his role as a waiter.

Yu emphasizes that it’s crucial for her character to appear convincing as someone who could blend into a particular ethnicity. This concept is central to the book and also reflects real-life practices in the acting world. For a long time, if a show wanted to hint at an actor’s ethnicity, they could cast someone like Chloe and guide them towards that direction.

As a movie reviewer, I found the TV adaptation of this character to be richly layered and thought-provoking. Actress Yu Bennet’s portrayal made me question the depths of the character’s past, which was deliberately crafted to provide surprises even for those who have seen the show multiple times after knowing the twist. This complex character, who exists in two worlds, grapples with an identity crisis that is a constant theme throughout her performance.

Chloe is sensitive to touch and has a knack for making situations feel more real by focusing on minor details, according to Yu’s description. They would often discuss the interior design of the character’s vehicle or living space as a means of exploring the character’s reality more deeply.

Bennett, who has previously played a significant role in ABC’s “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.” and had a short-lived pop career in China (check out the video for her song “Uh Oh” to catch her channeling strong Christina Aguilera vibes), openly confesses that she has been deeply captivated by this character and plot since she read “Interior Chinatown.

“Everyone has that [moment] when you click with an author and go, ‘Oh, my God, this person has been able to communicate these really, really sticky and diluted thoughts that I’ve had in my head for years that kind of have dust on them,’ ” she says. “He woke up a part of me that was dormant in my psyche as a product of trying to navigate my racial identity in the industry. … You know, I didn’t go to college. I left high school. I have a GED from, like, a parking lot in Santa Monica. My brain grew up on TV, and so my understanding of myself was very much shaped around [what I saw of] my identity on screen.”

In “Interior Chinatown,” there wasn’t a designated on-set counselor, however, Bennett humorously mentions that she generously donates to her own therapy sessions.

Following the 2016 U.S. presidential election, she established RUN AAPI (Represent Us Now), an organization dedicated to boosting Asian American and Pacific Islander representation, not just on screen but also off it. However, after playing a significant role in the run-up to the 2020 election, she decided to take a break from the group due to exhaustion. Yet, similar to many Americans, she is grappling with whether she could have done more in preparation for the 2024 election.

Regarding her future professional endeavors, she’s currently focusing on creating a fresh venture, yet she’s tight-lipped about the details. Yu hints at the possibility of another season, but viewers will need to tune in to understand the implications for Bennett’s character.

She expresses that over time, she’s taken on many roles and experiences, but now she is particularly keen on creating her unique narratives,” she says.

And like her “Interior Chinatown” character, she’s likely to get people’s attention.

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2024-11-18 14:31