How Last Christmas star Henry Golding bagged Crazy Rich Asians – the ‘most coveted role for any Asian actor in the world’
Henry Golding had never acted before he got the call to star in Crazy Rich Asians – now the British-Malaysian actor is back, starring alongside Michelle Yeoh, Emilia Clarke and Emma Thompson in feel-good seasonal romcom Last Christmas
Henry Golding, of Crazy Rich Asians fame, stars alongside Emilia Clarke and Michelle Yeoh in Last Christmas, a romantic comedy co-written by Emma Thompson which has already been tipped as the feel-good smash of the season.
As the movie’s worldwide roll-out begins today, the 32-year-old tells us why we will love the story, and talks about his regional roots and overnight fame.
I think it's sad that some people of Asian background who have never lived in Asia should be criticising other Asians who grew up in that part of the world
What drew you to this project in particular?
The storyline. My character Tom meets Kate who has fallen on hard times; she can't figure out who she is as a person, they bump into each other, they go on a series of dates and learn so much about each other and try to help each other through these difficult periods in their lives.
Crazy Rich Asians turned you into an instant star. How have you been managing all the fame and attention you've been getting?
It hasn't been too crazy. People have been absolutely amazing coming up to me, expressing their gratitude for Crazy Rich Asians, what it meant to them, and also just how much they enjoyed the story.
When you look back at how your world has changed since that film came out, is it like living in a dream?
A very nice dream! [Laughs] … I had enjoyed working as a TV presenter for seven years and I thought that was going to be my world for a while. That's why when Jon (M Chu, director of Crazy Rich Asians) asked me to play in the film I was so hesitant, even when I was auditioning.