yellowface

Asian mockery makeup

Yellowface is the practice of non-Asian actors portraying Asian characters, typically through makeup, prosthetics, and stereotyped mannerisms.

The term parallels blackface and carries similar connotations of racist caricature.

Historical examples include Mickey Rooney's exaggerated Japanese landlord in *Breakfast at Tiffany's*.

The practice is now widely condemned: The casting of a white actor in yellowface sparked immediate backlash.

theatrical

makeup

Products for beautifying faces

costumeClothing for portrayal
prostheticsFabricated body part replacements
performanceCarrying out a task

casting · whitewashing · role · portrayal · actor · Hollywood · film · disguise · transformation · production

racism

discrimination

Unjust differential treatment

prejudicePreformed unfavorable opinion
bigotryIntolerance toward differing views
cultural appropriationMisusing another group's traditions

orientalism · misrepresentation · caricature · dehumanization · xenophobia · racial slur · stereotyping · mockery · offensive · insensitivity

Categories

Asian AmericaCrazy Rich Asians, Michelle Yeoh, Bruce Lee, Sandra Oh, Shang-Chi
Asian American TheaterFOB, Chinglish, Golden Child
cultural borrowingblackface, brownface, redface, minstrelsy, war bonnets

Opposites

casting authenticity

yellowfacediverse casting

Selecting performers from varied backgrounds

self-representation · cultural authenticity · representation

racial representation ethics

yellowfacecolor-blind casting

Ignoring race in casting

racial attitudes in performance

yellowfacenon-racist

Lacking racial prejudice

color-blind · cultural sensitivity

Family

yellow, face, yellows, yellowed, yellowing, yellowish, faces, faced, facing

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Timeless · Negative · Rated PG-13