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If Paras looks familiar, it’s because she is currently in the recurring role of Jayma Chan, sister of Josh Chan on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend on the CW Network. The show made history this season when it depicted the Chan family, American television’s first Filipino American family.
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Thankfully, Jayma and Josh don’t speak with Filipino accents.
RELATED: TV’s first Filipino/American family debuts on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Paras said she has auditioned for numerous roles that called for accents. In an interview with Glamour, Paras said: “I’m sure I’ve lost a lot of auditions (where producers are seeking an Asian actress) because I haven’t changed my Filipino last name to something that sounds more East Asian, which some FilipinoAmerican actors have done. And I don’t look East Asian—Filipinos don’t have the same eye shape or facial features. So, ‘What’s your ethnicity?’ is a common question. And I’ve had casting people ask me if I’m ‘full Asian.'”
Let’s hope that the musical romantic comedy Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, which got renewed for a second season, will expand Jayma’s character and let Paras display her singing and dancing talent.
(Ed Diokno writes a blog :Views From The Edge: news and analysis from an Asian American perspective.)
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