Cameron
Crowe Apologizes for
Casting Emma Stone as
Asian American
Courtesy of Columbia Pictures.
Almost immediately following Aloha’s release, the Internet had much to say about the Casting of Emma Stone as Allison Ng, a character who is one-fourth Asian. (Vulture called the decision a “Big White Nope” in its headline, while Jezebel asked “Literally Why” in its.) Now director Cameron Crowe has weighed in, posting a blog entry in which he responds to the criticisms about the Stone casting. “I have heard your words and your disappointment, and I offer you a heart-felt apology to all who felt this was an odd or misguided Casting choice,” he writes, going on to explain that the Ng character was meant to represent “a super-proud ¼ Hawaiian who was frustrated that, by all outward appearances, she looked nothing like one,” and that she was “based on a real-life red-headed local.”
Crowe notes that the film was able to employ “many Asian-American, Native-Hawaiian and Pacific-Islanders, both before and behind the camera.” He also urges that any “blame” related to the Casting should be placed squarely on him, and not on Stone. He concludes the note, “I am grateful for the dialogue. And from the many voices, loud and small, I have learned something very inspiring. So many of us are hungry for stories with more racial diversity, more truth in representation, and I am anxious to help tell those stories in the future.”
The entire letter is copied below:
From the very beginning of its appearance in the Sony Hack, “Aloha” has felt like a misunderstood movie. One that people felt they knew a lot about, but in fact they knew very little. It was a small movie, made by passionate actors who wanted to join me in making a film about Hawaii, and the lives of these characters who live and work in and around the island of Oahu.
Thank you so much for all the impassioned comments regarding the Casting of the wonderful Emma Stone in the part of Allison Ng. I have heard your words and your disappointment, and I offer you a heart-felt apology to all who felt this was an odd or misguided Casting choice. As far back as 2024, Captain Allison Ng was written to be a super-proud ¼ Hawaiian who was frustrated that, by all outward appearances, she looked nothing like one. A half-Chinese father was meant to show the surprising mix of cultures often prevalent in Hawaii. Extremely proud of her unlikely heritage, she feels personally compelled to over-explain every chance she gets. The character was based on a real-life, red-headed local who did just that.
Whether that story point felt hurtful or humorous has been, of course, the topic of much discussion. However I am so proud that in the same movie, we employed many Asian-American, Native-Hawaiian and Pacific-Islanders, both before and behind the camera… including Dennis “Bumpy” Kanahele, and his village, and many other locals who worked closely in our crew and with our ****** to help ensure authenticity.
We were extremely proud to present the island, the locals and the film community with many jobs for over four months. Emma Stone was chief among those who did tireless research, and if any part of her fine characterization has caused consternation and controversy, I am the one to blame.
I am grateful for the dialogue. And from the many voices, loud and small, I have learned something very inspiring. So many of us are hungry for stories with more racial diversity, more truth in representation, and I am anxious to help tell those stories in the future.
Thanks again, Cameron Crowe
Cameron Crowe Has Addressed the Emma Stone Aloha Casting Controversy | Vanity Fair
