If you’re anything like me, you consume a lot of online content in your free time. Whether it is watching Youtube videos, scrolling through your Twitter feed, listening to podcasts, or making Pinterest boards, I spend maybe a bit too much time taking inspiration, advice, and information from online content creators. Through my early teenage years, many of my likes and interests came from YouTubers like Bethany Mota and Meredith Foster, who were huge influences on young girls and dominated the social media scene during the early 2010s. Now looking back, I realize that most of my “role models”, although still lovely and kind, were all white. And, unfortunately, there are thousands of AAPI content creators who do not receive nearly as much recognition as they deserve, solely because they don’t fit a Eurocentric standard of beauty. I’ll work on reducing my screen time later, but for now, here are 10 AAPI content creators who I have been loving–and I think you will, too!
- Linh Truong (Youtube: linh truong)
-
Linh Truong is a Vietnamese-American lifestyle and fashion vlogger whose style of videography is simply addictive. Her videos are masterfully and creatively edited by Linh herself. Linh posts week-in-her-life vlogs frequently, which capture memories with her college friends, decorating her apartment, cooking Vietnamese dishes, and attending college classes. She also posts fashion/beauty-themed videos, where she teaches her audience how to put together outfits, shows her makeup routine, and creates themed fashion “lookbooks”. I can spend hours watching Linh, and am always inspired by her aesthetic!
- Ashley and Amber Alexander (Youtube: ur mom ashley and Amber Alexander)
-
I went through a phase when the only people I watched on Youtube for a solid month were Korean-American vloggers Ashley and Amber Alexander. Although their videos are mostly based on fashion and lifestyle vlogs, I love them more for their silly and casual personalities. The sisters have separate Youtube channels, but appear in each other’s videos frequently, along with their brother, Andrew, and Ashley’s boyfriend, Charles. The dynamic between the four always makes me smile and laugh, which makes their channels some of my favorites.
- Annabelle Gao aka CatCreature (Youtube: Annabelle Gao)
-
I have been watching Chinese-American vlogger Annabelle Gao for years, from when her channel first started taking off. Annabelle posts regular lengthy vlogs centering around her artwork and homelife with her family and many cats (hence her nickname and once-channel-name, CatCreature). Annabelle’s artistic talent and calming videos are what keep viewers coming back for more–and who can resist those adorable kitties?!
- Ashley from BestDressed (Youtube: bestdressed)
-
If I could trade closets with anyone, it would be Ashley Rous, better known as BestDressed. The Chinese-American fashion vlogger has made videos viewed by millions about finding your personal style, making numerous outfits with one dress, minimalizing a clothes closet, and more. Her channel name holds true, as Ashley is simply the best-dressed Youtuber out there–end of discussion.
- The Fung Bros (Youtube: FUNG BROS)
-
Chinese-American brothers Andrew and David Fung are best known for their Youtube channel which centers around food, music, and comedy under an Asian-American lens. I personally found and watch their channel because of their popular food videos, in which they try underrated Asian-owned restaurants in cities like New York and Boston.
- Emma Tang (Instagram: @intersectional.abc)
-
Taiwanese-American NYU student Emma Tang is a social media activist who has influenced over 80 thousand followers through her Instagram account, @intersectional.abc. Her Instagram page focuses on bringing exposure to the unfortunately common issues that Asian-Americans face in the United States, as well as educating her followers on what they can do to help. Her goal is to spread enlightenment and justice for these issues, which I think is a beautiful thing.
- Wong Fu Productions (Youtube: WongFuProductions)
-
Chinese creators Philip Wang, Ted Fu, and Wesley Chan make up the filmmaking group “Wong Fu Productions”, which started as a Youtube channel and has expanded to creating films featured on major streaming platforms. The independent digital production company’s goal is to have an authentic representation of Asian people and culture in popular media.
- Jazzy Le (Youtube: jazzy le)
-
Vietnamese-American beauty/lifestyle Youtuber Jazzy Le creates a space for videos regarding fashion, makeup, vlogs, advice, and discussions on being Asian-American on social media. Her channel, though sometimes solely superficial, has become an outlet for many young Asian viewers to relate, converse, and simply feel acknowledged for their experiences.
- Leah Wei (Youtube: Leah’s Fieldnotes)
-
Chinese-Canadian Youtuber Leah Wei, also known as “Leah’s Field Notes”, has a channel full of artistic and creative videos. She is multitalented, with a passion for fashion, language, cooking, art, pottery–all of the above! I always leave her channel learning something new, whether it is a new French word, Chinese dish, or a simple piece of advice from the wise Leah Wei.
- Melody Cheng, Helen Wu, and Janet Wong (Asian Boss Girl Podcast)
-
Creators and friends Melody Cheng, Helen Wu, and Janet Wong released “Asian Boss Girl” as a podcast for “the modern-day Asian-American woman”. They have become a voice for the Asian-American community, which is a community that they felt was heavily underrepresented in the social media field. After leaving their careers to focus on the podcast, it has grown into a project loved by many. The Asian Boss Girls themselves have extended their podcast into a marketable brand, with merchandise, news stories, and thousands of followers.