Andre Lawes Menchavez

Los Angeles

Entertainment Reporter at JoySauce

organizer. writer. MA in specialized journalism, @usc. queer/asian entertainment reporter @joysauce_. former lead jr editor @glaad. all opinions are my own.

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Articles

‘The Parenting’ is a universal love story that pushes past stereotypes

2 months ago | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

What happens when you create a movie about a South Asian gay man and his fiance meeting each other's parents, while spending the weekend at an estate haunted by a 400-year-old homophobic and racist poltergeist? A terrifyingly hilarious comedy. The Parenting—now streaming on Max—follows Rohan and Josh, a queer couple played by Nik Dodani and Brandon Flynn, as their attempt to introduce their families transpires into a campy case of demonic possession.
‘Extremely Unique Dynamic’ is a standout in Asian American filmmaking

2 months ago | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

There’s an extremely unique indie film collecting awards at film festivals across the country, and it has two Asian directors and actors at its helm. Extremely Unique Dynamic is a hyper-meta Asian queer stoner coming-of-age bromantic comedy directed by and starring Ivan Leung and Harrison Xu. Leung and Xu play two lifelong best friends coming together to make a movie—about a movie, about a movie—shortly before one of them moves out of town.
Bow down to Joella's Slaysian dynasty

2 months ago | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

If you’re watching the current 17th season of RuPaul’s Drag Race, you’re probably having a hard time “forgetting the ella” as much as we are after seeing a certain slaysian queen on our screens. Joella, a Chinese American drag queen, may have been an early out queen this season, but her impact on the show, and community, is infinite. As the only Asian drag queen cast on this season, this dynamic resembled a sentiment Joella is all too familiar with.
How Kiana V transformed a Philippine classic into an R&B masterpiece

Oct 21, 2024 | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

In 1988, Gary Valenciano and Angeli Pangilinan wrote and produced “Sana Maulit Muli,” the power ballad that became a classic Philippine track for generations to come. Nearly 40 years later, their daughter, R&B artist Kiana V, released her own song, “Sana,” sampling the classic while adding her own piece to her parents’ smash hit.
'Drag Race Philippines' is the blueprint for the franchise's future

Oct 10, 2024 | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

When every episode of a competition show ends with the entire judges’ panel crying because someone is going home, you know there’s something special happening. Drag Race Philippines has had three incredible seasons in its arsenal that have left fans across the world falling in love with these drag superstars from the archipelago.
Queen Priyanka reigns in the world of 'DEVASTATIA'

Sep 9, 2024 | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

RuPaul’s Drag Race has become a global phenomenon with 20 international franchises added in the last decade. But out of the hundreds of drag performers who have competed across its many versions, there’s been only one South Asian winner: Queen Priyanka. Priyanka made her world debut on the inaugural season of Canada’s Drag Race in 2020, becoming Canada’s first queen to hold the winning title.
Sinead Harnett is not afraid to set her 'Boundaries'

Aug 13, 2024 | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

Thai Irish superstar Sinead Harnett has made her mark on the music industry since the release of her debut EP, N.O.W., in 2014, with her repertoire of three studio albums becoming soundtracks to the ebb and flow of pursuing love for fans around the world. Her discography ranges from power ballads that voice the shattering of a broken heart, to warm melodies in her viral love songs, and even sultry confident anthems for us independent girls who don’t need a man.
The golden era of Asian drag is now—but what’s next?

Aug 7, 2024 | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

In 2024 so far, we’ve had 10 Asian drag performers on our television screens, including two winners—Taiwanese drag queen, Nymphia Wind, who won season 16 of RuPaul’s Drag Race, and Chinese drag performer, Niohuru X, who won season 5 of The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula. Also included in that group of 10 are three queens that made it to the top four: Aurora Matrix of Canada’s Drag Race, Marina Summers of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK vs The World and Plastique Tiara of RuPaul’s Drag Race All Stars.
Chanpan creates a fiery, futuristic sound of liberation

Jul 25, 2024 | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

Just two years ago, Grace Dumdaw and twins Lance Tran and Matthew Tran were busking to city passerbyers in New York City’s Chinatown. Today, the band—now named Chanpan—are four fiery genre-expansive songs deep into their world domination and fresh off a sold-out debut headlining show last week. Chanpan is a combination of the Chinese pronunciation of Lance and Matthew's surname 陳 and part of Dumdaw’s Kachin name Seng Hkam Pan.
'Larry: The Musical' is a sonic revolution for an Asian future in theater

May 14, 2024 | joysauce.com | Andre Lawes Menchavez

Last month at the Brava Theater in San Francisco, I stood alongside Filipino American community organizers, immigrant elders, and many young people with awe-filled eyes in a standing ovation for the cast and team behind Larry: The Musical as they took their bows. The impact of this moment was palpable: A reimagining of a vital piece of Fil-Am history being told by us, and for us. It was more than just a first—it was a glimpse into the future for Asian Americans in musical theater.