35 Pacific Islander Celebrities Taking Over Hollywood

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By Calvin S. Nelson


35 Pacific Islander Celebrities Taking Over Hollywood

Born in Hawai’i, Auli’i is of Native Hawaiian, Puerto Rican, Portuguese, Chinese language, and Irish heritage. After making her performing debut because the voice of Moana, she’s reprising her function within the upcoming sequel — which I am unable to wait to see! — and can function an govt producer on the live-action remake. She additionally portrayed Janis within the Imply Ladies musical movie earlier this yr.

If you do not know Drew, you are lacking out! The Samoan TikTok star first gained fame by calling out misogynists on social media, all along with her iconic snigger and nice humorousness. She’s the host of The Remark Part with Drew Afualo podcast and has hosted red-carpet occasions just like the Oscars and the Black Adam premiere. Her first guide, Loud, comes out this summer time, and I’ve already preordered it!

This yr, the Native Hawaiian singer made it to the playoff rounds of The Voice, the place he wowed the judges and viewers by bringing his tradition to each efficiency. Throughout the audition, decide Likelihood the Rapper recommended Kamalei for representing Pacific Islanders, calling it “actually essential to have on the present.”

The Māori actor is thought for highly effective New Zealand movies like As soon as Had been Warriors and The Darkish Horse, in addition to his lengthy Hollywood profession. He is been in tons of hits, together with Reside Free or Die Laborious, Worry the Strolling Lifeless, and Hobbs & Shaw. Cliff performed Tonowari, the chief of the Metkayina clan, in Avatar: The Method of Water and can seem in Avatar 3.

Eliana is of Samoan, Mexican, and Argentine heritage. She presently stars within the Disney Channel present Fairly Freekin Scary, and she or he’s appeared in different tasks like 9-1-1 and Hobbs & Shaw.

Of Native Hawaiian, Chinese language, English, Irish, and Portuguese descent, the actor is likely one of the greatest names in Hollywood. He is starred in large franchises like The Matrix and John Wick as nicely widespread movies like Pace and The Lake Home. Keanu can also be beloved by the web; I do not know a single one who dislikes this man!

Born in New Zealand, the actor is of Māori and European descent. She’s been in a bunch of exhibits together with Terra Nova, Of Kings and Prophets, and The Crossing, and she or he’s completely killing it proper now as Grownup Lottie in Yellowjackets.

8.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson

Dwayne is Samoan on his mom’s facet and Black on his father’s. After gaining fame as a WWE wrestler, he grew to become the Hollywood star we all know and love right now. He is been in every thing from the Quick and Livid franchise to the Jumanji films to Moana (he’ll be reprising his function as Maui within the live-action remake!). And final yr, he grew to become the primary Samoan to play a superhero with Black Adam.

Of Tongan, Samoan, and Irish descent, the singer was born and raised in Hawai’i. Final yr, he grew to become the primary Pacific Islander to win American Idol after capturing the hearts of viewers throughout the nation along with his touching story and unimaginable voice.

Born in Hawai’i, Jason is Native Hawaiian on his father’s facet and German, Irish, and Pawnee on his mom’s. After the world fell in love with him in Recreation of Thrones, he went on to star in Frontier, See, and the Aquaman films. He was a fan favourite in the newest Quick and Livid movie, and I am stoked for his upcoming present, Chief of Struggle.

The Samoan actress obtained her begin on the favored New Zealand cleaning soap opera, Shortland Road. Since then, she’s appeared in tasks like The Expanse, The Panthers, and The Misplaced Flowers of Alice Hart.

The actor is of Māori, Samoan, Native Hawaiian, Tongan, Tahitian, Japanese, Irish, Scottish, and English descent, however she normally simply refers to herself as Polynesian. Final yr, Kaimana made her performing debut in Taika Waititi’s Subsequent Purpose Wins, the place she completely stole the present! I am unable to wait to see what she’ll do subsequent.

Born in Australia, the actor is of Māori, Cook dinner Islander, Chinese language, and English heritage. You’ll find her in Mad Max: Fury Highway and Gods of Egypt, however her portrayal of Teen Lottie in Yellowjackets is unquestionably my favourite efficiency thus far.

Born in New Zealand, the dance powerhouse and mannequin is Samoan on her mom’s facet and white on her father’s. She’s labored with artists like Jennifer Lopez, SZA, and Shakira, in addition to choreographed music movies for Justin Bieber, Sam Smith, and Ciara. She received an Emmy for her work on “Savage X Fenty Present Vol. 3” and choreographed Rihanna’s iconic Tremendous Bowl efficiency final yr!

The singer is especially Tongan, with some Samoan, Fijian, and Danish heritage. Whereas competing on The X Issue in 2012, she joined 4 different contestants to type a lady group that may go on to develop into the wildly widespread Fifth Concord. When the group partnered with Barbie and a doll was made of every member, Dinah impressed the primary trendy Polynesian Barbie. Now centered on her solo profession, she drops new music on Friday impressed by her Polynesian heritage, and I’ll completely be streaming at midnight.

The New Zealand-born actor is of Samoan and European heritage, and he obtained his matai (chief) title a couple of years in the past. He grew to become a family title by enjoying Archie Andrews on Riverdale, however you can even discover him in The Hate U Give and I Nonetheless Imagine. And do you know that KJ is a proficient musician? In 2021, he launched an indie folk-rock album referred to as Clocks.

The New Zealand-born actor is of Māori, Samoan, and Niuean heritage. Alex loved main roles in When We Go to Struggle, Shortland Road, and Evening Raiders earlier than starring in NCIS: Hawaiʻi. Presently, he performs Valandil in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Energy. The trailer for the second season simply dropped, and it appears to be like superior!

Born and raised in Hawai’i, Sasha is Native Hawaiian and Irish. In 2012, she received the Miss Continental competitors, and final yr, she received Season 15 of RuPaul’s Drag Race — the primary Pacific Islander to take the crown!

The New Zealand-born actor is of Māori and European descent. He was sooo humorous in Flight of the Conchords! Jemaine joined Taika Waititi as an actor, author, and director in What We Do within the Shadows. Jemaine has completed tons of voice work for animated films, together with Despicable Me, Rio, Moana, and The Lego Batman Film. He is additionally been in hits like Males in Black 3 and Avatar: The Method of Water.

Born in New Zealand, Rose is Samoan on her father’s facet and Croatian and Scottish on her mom’s. This lady can do all of it — she’s an actor, author, comic, director, and podcast host. You’ll find her stand-up particular, Horndog, and comedy collection, Starstruck, on Max.

Born in Australia and raised in New Zealand, the actor is Māori on her mom’s facet and white on her father’s. I completely LOVED her in Whale Rider (certainly one of my all-time favourite films). Since then, she’s been in The Nativity Story, Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith, and Recreation of Thrones. Presently, she’s enjoying Hana in FBI: Most Needed.

Born in Samoa and raised in New Zealand, the actor performed Albert within the iconic Sione’s Wedding ceremony (my favourite Pacific Islander comedy of all time!). Final yr, he portrayed the top of American Samoa soccer in Subsequent Purpose Wins.

Born in Hawai’i, Nicole is of Native Hawaiian, Filipino, and Ukrainian descent. You in all probability know her from the Pussycat Dolls/her solo music profession, however she’s additionally been on Dancing with the Stars and served as a decide/panelist on The X Issue, Australia’s Obtained Expertise, and The Masked Singer. Final yr, she starred as Norma Desmond in Sundown Boulevard on the West Finish, and she or he’ll make her Broadway debut in October.

Alex is Samoan and Māori on his father’s facet and white on his mom’s. After gaining a large following on YouTube for his music, he landed a starring function in Discovering Ohana. He performed Walter in Doogie Kameāloha, M.D. and presently portrays Shawn in Fairly Little Liars: Unique Sin.

The Tongan actor was born and raised in Australia. Maybe finest identified for portraying Dwayne Johnson in Younger Rock, he additionally appeared in Marco Polo, Physician Physician, and Black Adam. Most lately, he performed Nicky Salapu in Subsequent Purpose Wins, and you may see him in MaXXXine later this yr.

Born in Hawaiʻi, the actor is of Native Hawaiian and Japanese heritage. You in all probability know her as Sandra in Superstore, however she’s additionally appeared in Parks and Recreation, The Huge Bang Concept, and Raven’s Residence.

Born in New Zealand, the actor is of Māori, Scottish, and Irish heritage. He is been in tons of stuff, like Star Wars movies, As soon as Had been Warriors, and the Aquaman films. He famously returned to the Star Wars franchise as the enduring Boba Fett (the son of his character Jango Fett from the prequels) in The Mandalorian and even obtained his personal spin-off, The Ebook of Boba Fett.

The New Zealand-born actor is of Māori and European descent. She’s a frequent collaborator of Taika Waititi and has been in loads of NZ movies like Whale Rider and Boy, in addition to Hollywood movies like Thor: Ragnarok. Rachel has voiced a number of animated characters together with Terry in Disney/Pixar’s Soul and Gramma Tala in Moana. And her directorial debut, The Mountain, premieres later this yr!

Born in Hawai’i, the actor is of Native Hawaiian, Chinese language, and English heritage. After successful Miss Teen USA 1985 and Miss Hawaii USA 1993, she landed roles in The Scorpion King and the X-Males film X2. Kelly appeared in teen exhibits like The Vampire Diaries and The 100, voiced Stacy in Phineas and Ferb, and is maybe finest identified for taking part in Admiral Ozawa in The Orville. In accordance with IMDb, she’ll be reprising her function as Girl Deathstrike within the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine.

Born in Hawai’i, the Native Hawaiian actor was a well-known surfer earlier than turning to performing. Mainei has appeared in See, The Final Manhunt, and Kapō. Presently, she’s engaged on Jason Momoa’s upcoming present, Chief of Struggle.

On his father’s facet, the actor is Samoan, and on his mom’s, he is Hungarian-Jewish. Finest identified for taking part in Jerry on The Strolling Lifeless, Cooper was additionally in Halt and Catch Fireplace and the Shazam! films.

Born in New Zealand and raised in Australia, the actor is of Māori, Irish, and Scottish descent. I cherished his portrayal of Crixus in Spartacus, however he was additionally nice in Arrow and the Hobbit films.

Born in New Zealand, the actor is of Samoan, Māori, and European descent. She began out in theater and produced a Pacific Islander musical earlier than doing exhibits in New York Metropolis. From 2021 to 2023, she performed Ata Johnson (Dwayne Johnson’s mother) in Younger Rock.

The Tongan actor was born in New Zealand. After a job in Sione’s Wedding ceremony, he appeared within the remaining Hobbit film, Solo: A Star Wars Story, and Hobbs & Shaw. He additionally performed Afa Anoa’i in Younger Rock.

35.

And at last, Taika Waititi

Born in New Zealand, Taika is Māori on his father’s facet and Russian Jewish on his mom’s. Is there something this man cannot do? He wrote, directed, and starred in What We Do within the Shadows and Jojo Rabbit, the latter making him the primary Māori filmmaker to win an Oscar for Finest Tailored Screenplay. He directed a number of of Marvel’s Thor films, an episode of The Mandalorian, and Subsequent Purpose Wins, the heartwarming movie based mostly on the true story of the American Samoan soccer crew. Presently, he is directing a dystopian sci-fi movie, Klara and the Solar, that I am tremendous enthusiastic about. Plus, Hunt for the Wilderpeople is a masterpiece! Do your self a favor and watch it if you happen to’re ever in want of fun.

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