Reckoning With The Asian Fetish

from Embodied · host WUNC

Kaila Yu spent years as an Asian American pinup model, singer and actress, leaning into a hypersexualized image of Asian femininity and burying her doubts about it. But after the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings, she started reckoning with how fetishization can lead to violence — and interrogating her own role in perpetuating harmful stereotypes. She talks with Anita about her new memoir. Plus, a sociologist breaks down how history and Hollywood built the stereotypes in the first place and what we can do to break free. Meet the guests:- Kaila Yu is a culture writer and the author of "Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism and Beauty"- Nancy Wang Yuen is a sociologist and a professor in the department of ethnic studies at Crafton Hills College and the author of “Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism” Read the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platformFollow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for Embodied

What this episode covers

Kaila Yu spent years as an Asian American pinup model, singer and actress, leaning into a hypersexualized image of Asian femininity and burying her doubts about it. But after the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings, she started reckoning with how fetishization can lead to violence — and interrogating her own role in perpetuating harmful stereotypes. She talks with Anita about her new memoir. Plus, a sociologist breaks down how history and Hollywood built the stereotypes in the first place and what we can do to break free. Meet the guests: - Kaila Yu is a culture writer and the author of "Fetishized: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism and Beauty" - Nancy Wang Yuen is a sociologist and a professor in the department of ethnic studies at Crafton Hills College and the author of “Reel Inequality: Hollywood Actors and Racism” Read the transcript | Review the podcast on your preferred platform Follow Embodied on Instagram Leave a message for Embodied

NOW PLAYING

Reckoning With The Asian Fetish

0:00 50:13

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Chiron Enters Taurus, Solstice Arrives: Astrology for the Week of June 15, 2026

Jun 16, 2026 ·39m

What You Already Want (On the Precepts)

Jun 11, 2026 ·38m

Gemini New Moon: Astrology for the Week of June 8, 2026

Jun 9, 2026 ·37m

No B.S. Loving Kindness with Oneika Mays

Jun 8, 2026 ·68m

Mercury Enters Cancer, Juno Stations Rx: Astrology for the Week of June 2, 2026

Jun 2, 2026 ·40m

Just Now is Enough

May 28, 2026 ·42m

Similar Podcasts

Embodied Astrology Embodied Astrology Asking questions, telling stories, making friends and hatching plans for (r)evolution through expansive and nontraditional astrological meandering.Tune in with our horoscopes for your sun, moon and rising signs every zodiac season || Sense and strategize with our overviews and forecasts || Enjoy soul-stirring, thought provoking conversations with our guests.We make a podcast, but our main events happen in our membership community. Join us for weekly/monthly classes & workshops, live conversations and chart reading study groups! More info @ www.embodiedastrology.com Zen Mind Zenki Christian Dillo Zenki Christian Dillo Roshi is the Guiding Teacher at the Boulder Zen Center in Colorado, USA. This podcast shares the regular dharma talks given at the Center. Zenki Roshi approaches Zen practice as a craft of transformation, liberation, wisdom, and compassionate action. His interest is to bring Buddhism alive within Western cultural horizons while staying committed to the traditional emphasis on embodied practice. Do Explain with Christofer Lövgren Christofer Lövgren Playful conversations — about embodied awakening AND good explanations. CHITHEADS with Jacob Kyle (Embodied Philosophy) Jacob Kyle Chitheads is a smorgasbord of contemplative education. Each episode is like a mini masterclass, exploring the diverse landscapes of spiritual practice, philosophy, and the transformative power of embodied knowledge. Each episode is crafted with the curious and open heart in mind, aiming to illuminate the path of self-inquiry and empowerment for yoga teachers, scholar-practitioners, meditators and other spiritual seekers and contemplative folks from around the world. From the profound teachings of Yoga and Buddhism to the sometimes complex theories of contemplative psychology and the vibrant tapestry of indigenous wisdom, our guests share insights that awaken, challenge, and inspire. With every episode, we dive into discussions that matter, exploring questions that guide us closer to our true selves and to a deeper understanding of the world around us. Our mission is to create a space where wisdom (and not fame, power, or money) is the center of gravity and what we are most concerned ab

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Embodied?

This episode is 50 minutes long.

When was this Embodied episode published?

This episode was published on April 16, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Embodied episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!