Just as the KTown Reality Show is shooting more footage the past few weeks, a new Asian American reality show is trying to gain traction. The New York based show, dubbed “The A-Style”, features an all Asian-American cast and will follow their personal and professional lives as they climb the ladder of success in the entertainment business. All the stereotypes and preconceived notions that Asian Americans are only small business owners, dentists, nerdy number crunchers, etc… will be broken.
The cast is comprised of 8 up and coming stars (Robert Chang, James Ian Ibabao, Andy Zou, Kuang Chen, Jeannette Josue, Danielle Yu, Tomoko Hirao and Satoko Tokebabe Mori) and an Asian American Entertainment Manager (Sondra Anderson) who brought them all together with a common goal. We will follow them through their struggles, success, and shady propositions that they must endure. “The A-Style” will show just how talented they really are and the grueling work they are willing to go through to make it in the Biz. Manager Sondra Anderson states, “We have brought together a cast of (8) eight very talented individuals who happen to be of Asian descent. There are currently no reality shows of this kind on TV in America. Each episode will be exciting and will break Hollywood’s stereotyping of Asian American entertainers. The Chinese delivery boy has been replaced by our Filipino – American Hiphop Artist/Producer, the martial arts expert has been replace by our Chinese – American body builder/model and the shy, passive Asian girl has been replaced by our sultry, energetic Japanese Hip-hop dancer who is set to launch her career as a recording artist. With all the reality shows on the air, we knew it was just a matter of time before someone launched a show featuring Asian Americans in the cast. But we wanted to produce a show that was tasteful and respectful to first generation Asian Americans. Being an Asian-American, I can truly identify with the challenges that my cast members go through in trying to succeed in the entertainment business.”
In the trailer, the roles for each cast member are laid out : Robert Chang (aspiring leading man) , James Ian Ibabao aka Laze the Kid (rapper/ music producer) , Andy Zou (struggling actor), Kuang Chen (model / bodybuilder), Jeannette Josue (pageant model/ broadcast journalist), Danielle Yu (up and coming new model), Tomoko Hirao (the new actress) and Satoko Tokebabe Mori (recording artist/ dancer). They are all brought together by entertainment manager Sondra Anderson.
The pilot for the show is scheduled for May 15, 2012. Tune in if you dare.
The A-Style trailer : Asian Reality Show
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More about A-Style cast:
Jeannette Josue
As a former Miss USA state titleholder and a graduate from NYU with a degree in Economics, Jeannette has both brains and beauty. She has even gambled as an entrepreneur by opening her own restaurant in South Street Seaport. She currently works as a Web TV host for a sports and fitness channel. A huge step towards obtaining her goal as a well-respected News Anchor.
Satoko Mori aka TokeBabe
TokeBabe is a newly signed recording artist and gifted Hip-Hop dancer with a very impressive resume. She was born in Japan and has a backup dancer for Lil Kim, Ciara, Chris Brown, and is scheduled to tour with Madonna later this year. Her debut single and music video are set to be released in March 2012 when she will return to Japan for two weeks to promote her single and conduct a Hiphop dance workshop. Look out for TokeBabe in 2012!
Danielle Yu
Danielle was born in China and came to America with her parents when she was 8 and has been here ever since. She has been modeling for past 3 years and has even been featured in music videos. She is currently booked in a HSBC campaign, Rinesc, and an English textbook for the Oxford University Press. She is also pursuing her dream of acting.
Tomoko Hirao
Tomoko is a Japanese model who’s dream is to be an actress. She continuously stays busy with auditions, and has been in music videos after finishing her acting course from the New York Film Academy. She came to America on her own to pursue her dreams and become a rising star.
Kuang-Ying Chen
Kuang is model and body builder. He is Taiwanese, he was born in the USA. This accomplished model will soon hit the runway during Fashion week for AsianinNY fashion show as well as other events for 2012.
Robert Chang
Robert Chang is an American Born Chinese Actor. While attending CUNY Queens College, he earned his degree studying Media, Film, and Theatre. Robert’s mother was an actress in mainland China before immigrating to America; therefore Robert is not only living out his dream but hers as well. Robert is currently working on a high school television pilot titled “High Class Problem” as one of the leads as well as numerous films on the side.
Andy Zou
Andy is Chinese who was born in St. Louis, MO. With an intelligence far beyond his years, he graduated NYU for Experimental Theatre,and has been pursuing a career in commercial, film, and TV. He practices gymnastics and breakdancing occasionally on the side. His ultimate goal is to be a stuntman for action films.
Laze Tha Kid
Everyone knows that the main ethnicity of the Hip-Hop community are African American, Hispanics and the occasional Caucasian, but now we can add Asian to the pool. Not only is Laze a talented artist but he is an up and coming Hip-hop producer as well. He was born in New York but is 100% Filipino. With a voice of a star and the skills comparable to to some of the best Hip-hop producers, Laze is sure to make a name for himself in the music industry.
Sondra Anderson aka “Poyzen”
As an up and coming entertainment manager, Sondra always has her eye out for great talent. She was born in South Korea, but at the age of 2-1/2 was adopted by an American family. Even though she was raised in the American culture, her interest in finding out more about her roots became stronger as she reached adulthood. She went from hating being different to embracing and loving being Asian. Now her plans are to discover the best Asian talent that America has to offer and share them with the world.