Ellen Lee

4 weeks ago | huffpost.com | Ellen Lee

Lea Salonga has built a legacy playing characters defined by courage and kindness — whether as the resilient Kim in “Miss Saigon” or as the singing voice of fearless Mulan in Disney’s “Mulan.” But now, in a striking departure, the Tony-winning singer and actor is tapping into her darker side, making her villainous debut in Season 4 of Fox’s “The Cleaning Lady.” (Watch the video interview above.)“I don’t get to play the villain very often,” Salonga tells me.

1 month ago | huffpost.com | Ellen Lee

Simone Ashley has long been redefining expectations in the entertainment industry. From “Sex Education” to her groundbreaking portrayal of Kate Sharma in “Bridgerton,” the British actor has steadily forged her own path in Hollywood— challenging stereotypes and paving the way for more nuanced South Asian representation. (Watch the video interview above.)“I want to see more rom-coms that have women that look like me, women that look like you, in the forefront,” Ashley tells me.

2 months ago | huffpost.com | Ellen Lee

The Tanzanian-American forward for FC Dallas is quickly making a name for himself in Major League Soccer, but before the stadium lights and cheering fans, Kamungo’s world was shaped by his experiences at Nyarugusu Refugee Camp. (Watch the video interview above.)There, hunger and hardship were part of his daily life — but so was soccer. “All I knew was soccer,” Kamungo tells me. “I’d love to be a soccer player, but I never knew how I could make that dream possible.

2 months ago | huffpost.com | Ellen Lee

Ke Huy Quan ’s career is a testament to perseverance, reinvention and breaking barriers — but his journey has been anything but conventional, from his early days as a beloved child actor in “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “The Goonies” to stepping away from Hollywood for decades. His triumphant return in “Everything Everywhere All at Once” not only earned him an Oscar but also reignited his career in ways he never imagined.

Jan 24, 2025 | huffpost.com | Ellen Lee

Amanda Nguyen’s story is nothing short of extraordinary. As the first Southeast Asian woman set to journey into space, she carries with her not only the weight of history but also the dreams of her family, who fled Vietnam in search of political asylum and a better life after escaping the oppressive communist regime that took hold following the Vietnam War. (Watch the video above.)The perilous journey Nguyen’s family took in a boat was marked by courage and profoundly shaped her aspirations.