Asian Humanitarians Who’ve Made A Difference

By Jamie Samhan. 25 May 2023 8:00 AM

In honour of Asian Heritage Month, we are taking a look at some of the Asian stars who love to give back.

Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/CP Images

Photo: BrontÃ« Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via AP/CP Images

Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/CP Images

Photo: Alberto Pezzali/Invision/AP/CP Images

Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello/CP Images

Photo: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/CP Images

Photo: © Liau Chung Ren via ZUMA Wire/CPImages

Photo: © HFPA/ZUMA Wire/ZUMAPRESS.com/CPImages

Photo: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images

Photo: Praya Lundberg

Photo: Ammar Abd Rabbo/ABACAPRESS.COM/CPImages

Photo: CPImages

Photo: Sam Tsang/South China Morning Post via Getty Images

Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Acura

START OVER

Next Gallery: The Richest Women In Music, Ranked By Net Worth

More Galleries

1 of 15

Kelly Marie Tran
Photo: Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP/CP Images
Kelly Marie Tran has used her platform to speak out against bullying.

Sharing her vulnerable story of cyberbullying following her time in "Star Wars", the actress used the experience to pen a powerful op-ed for the New York Times on the importance of mental health and the negative effects of online abuse.
Naomi Osaka
Photo: BrontÃ« Wittpenn/San Francisco Chronicle via AP/CP Images
Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka has never shied away from voicing her criticism of race inequality in the sports world and using her platform to advocate for change.

Osaka, who is biracial, marched alongside BLM protestors following the death of George Floyd, and famously wore masks bearing the names of Black victims during her victorious second U.S. Open run.
Sandra Oh
Photo: Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP/CP Images
The "Killing Eve" and "Grey's Anatomy" actress has been loudly outspoken about issues of race and inequality in Hollywood.

Sandra Oh supported the Black Lives Matter cause shortly after the death of George Floyd, collaborating with Korean-American brand KORELIMITED to promote their tracksuit whose proceeds went to the BLM organization.

Oh is an outspoken advocate of the Stop AAPI Hate movement, even inspiring "Killing Eve" fans to run a pledge drive towards supporting the cause.
Lucy Liu
Photo: Alberto Pezzali/Invision/AP/CP Images
Hollywood icon Lucy Liu has had a long career of supporting humanitarian causes.

The star has been a UNICEF ambassador since 2004, even being awarded the Danny Kaye Humanitarian award at the 2008 UNICEF Snowflake Ball in honour of her dedication and efforts.
Olivia Rodrigo
Photo: AP Photo/Chris Pizzello/CP Images
The young Grammy-winner is making waves not just in the music industry.

Olivia Rodrigo has used her fame to support causes like the ASCAP Foundation by donating items for fundraising.

She's also launched exclusive merch like her "Spicy Pisces" T-shirt with all proceeds going to support girls being educated through the organization She's The First.
Padma Lakshmi
Photo: Andy Kropa/Invision/AP/CP Images
Celebrity chef Padma Lakshmi has been a vocal educator about Endometriosis, a disease which she has struggled with for years.

She co-founded the Endometriosis Foundation of America in 2009.
Jackie Chan
Photo: © Liau Chung Ren via ZUMA Wire/CPImages
According to Forbes, Jackie Chan is "one of Asia's premier philanthropists."

The action star has championed causes from no smoking to clean up efforts.

Not having a formal education himself, he started the Jackie Chan Charitable Foundation in 1988 that offers scholarships to youth. It has since advanced to medical services and natural disaster relief.

He also started the Dragon's Heart Foundation that builds schools in remote parts of China.
Awkwafina
Photo: © HFPA/ZUMA Wire/ZUMAPRESS.com/CPImages
Awkwafina has done lots of work with Building Beats, a program that teaches entrepreneurial, leadership and life skills to underprivileged youth through music and DJ production.

In 2019, she was honoured for her work with the foundation at Variety's Power of Women event.
BTS
Photo: The Chosunilbo JNS/Imazins via Getty Images
Global superstars BTS were at the forefront of raising funds for Black Lives Matter, donating $1 million which was then matched by both ARMY and John Cena.

They also used their voices to speak out against Anti-Asian Hate.

"We feel grief and anger," they said while sharing their own experiences.
Praya Lundberg
Photo: Praya Lundberg
Model and actress Praya Lundberg was Southeast Asia's first UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador, taking on the role in 2017 after her work with the UN's High Commissioner for refugees.

She is also a big supporter of Operation Smile.
Nadine Labaki
Photo: Ammar Abd Rabbo/ABACAPRESS.COM/CPImages
Lebanese actress and director Nadine Labaki has brought the social issues of Lebanon to the world stage, from her film work to taking part in a Beirut protest over the corrupt government.

"I feel so aware of my responsibility as a human being in this world. I know I can make a change. I’d rather turn my anger into something positive. The first step is creating a revolution within you; a rebellion against what we are living. I don’t think weshould adapt anymore," she told Harper's Bazaar.

Her film "Capernaum" has won her multiple Humanitarian and Peace awards.
Chrissy Teigen
Photo: CPImages
Chrissy Teigen is outspoken for a number of causes she is passionate about.

The model turned cookbook author was honoured by Baby2Baby in 2019 for her charity work.

Other foundations she supports include Planned Parenthood, the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation and American Foundation for AIDS Research.
Ruby Yang
Photo: Sam Tsang/South China Morning Post via Getty Images
Oscar winning documentary director Ruby Yang founded the Chang Ai Media Project to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS in China.

She has also raised awareness through her work like "The Blood Of Yingzhou District".

FilmAid Asia honoured her with the Humanitarian Award and the University of Hong Kong made her a Distinguished Fellow in Humanities.
Daniel Dae Kim
Photo: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for Acura
Daniel Dae Kim has been an active voice in "Stop Asian Hate" campaigns, including starting a GoFundMe page for an eldery man attacked.

He also gave testimony at a U.S. congressional hearing about the rise in Asian hate crimes.
Priyanka Chopra
Photo: © Hubert Boesl/DPA via ZUMA Press/CPImages
Priyanka Chopra champions a number of causes, including girls’ education. The star helps support the educational and medical expenses of a number of children in India, including donating 10 per cent of her income to assist them.

She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and runs The Priyanka Foundation.

Asian Humanitarians Who’ve Made A Difference

More Galleries

Latest Galleries