International Bestselling Author, Crazy Rich Asians
Kevin Kwan: Biography at a Glance
- Kevin Kwan is one of the world's bestselling authors best known for his breakout novel, Crazy Rich Asians.
- The #1 New York Times Bestselling novel has been translated into 40 languages and was followed by a sequel, China Rich Girlfriend, and the final book in the trilogy, Rich People Problems. With its critical acclaim and immense cultural impact, the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy is at the forefront of the fight for Asian and Asian-American representation in mainstream media.
- The film adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians broke records, becoming Hollywood's highest-grossing romantic comedy in over a decade. A musical stage adaptation is currently in the works for Broadway.
- His latest book, Lies and Weddings, is a juicy, hilarious, and sophisticated story of love, money, murder, sex, and the lies we tell about them all.
- Kwan's upbringing, marked by a move from Singapore to Houston, Texas, influenced his perspective and narrative, as seen in his exploration of wealth disparity and Asian cultural intricacies. He also has expertise on the luxury consumer and luxury industries such as design, fashion, real estate, travel, and hospitality.
- Recognized in the TIME 100 list of the world's most influential people and as one of Hollywood’s Most Powerful Authors, Kwan established his own creative studio and has produced projects for esteemed clients like the New York Times, the Museum of Modern Art, Rockwell Group, Oprah Winfrey, and TED.com.
- Through speaking engagements, Kwan delves into topics such as creativity, cultural impact, and the need for continued diversity in entertainment, shedding light on often overlooked aspects of Asian culture and society.
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Biography
Kevin Kwan is an internationally acclaimed author best known for his breakout debut novel, Crazy Rich Asians, based on Kwan’s own experiences growing up in Singapore. The bestselling novel has been translated into 40 languages and was followed by a sequel, China Rich Girlfriend, and Rich People Problems, the final book in the trilogy. With its immense cultural impact, the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy is at the forefront of the fight for Asian and Asian-American representation in mainstream media. The second book, China Rich Girlfriend, became a smash hit around the world, while Rich People Problems debuted on the New York Times Best Seller List during its first week of release.
The Crazy Rich Asians trilogy commanded the top three positions of the New York Times bestseller list for several weeks in 2018 - an almost unprecedented single-author trifecta and the film adaptation of Crazy Rich Asians became Hollywood's highest-grossing romantic comedy in over a decade. The popular film and book series is currently being developed into a musical stage adaptation aimed for Broadway.
With nominations for Best Motion Picture: Musical or Comedy and Best Actress: Motion Picture Comedy or Musical, Crazy Rich Asians received the Critics' Choice Award for Best Comedy, and a SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture.
Born in Singapore into a sprawling family tree that would later inspire his novels, Kwan found his formative world upended when his parents moved the family to Houston, Texas when he was 11. After obtaining his first degree in creative writing from the University of Houston, he moved to Manhattan to pursue a BFA at Parsons School of Design. His early years in the city were spent working for Martha Stewart Living, Andy Warhol's Interview magazine, and M&Co, the legendary design firm founded by Tibor Kalman.
Listed in the TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world, Kwan was also named one of the “Five Writers to Watch” on The Hollywood Reporter’s list of Hollywood’s Most Powerful Authors. Kevin established his own creative studio where he produced high-profile visual projects for clients such as the New York Times, the Museum of Modern Art, Rockwell Group, Oprah Winfrey, and TED.com.
In his speaking events, Kwan discusses creativity, the cultural impact of his novels, and how diversity in many industries, particularly entertainment, must continue to expand. With the wide spectrum and multiple facets of Asian cultures around the world, Kwan also explores the unimaginable wealth disparity rarely discussed.
Topics
‘Crazy Rich Asians’ And The Power Of Representation
Kevin Kwan’s debut novel, Crazy Rich Asians, became something of a cultural phenomenon, topping bestseller lists worldwide, spawning two bestselling sequels, and inspiring a #1 movie. Also, the first romantic comedy from a major Hollywood studio to feature a lead actor and actress of Asian descent, the release of this film is now considered a watershed moment for many Asians and Asian Americans.
In this conversation, Kwan discusses the cultural impact of his novels and describes how the climate in many industries, particularly entertainment, is already changing. Discussing the wide spectrum and multiple facets of Asians around the world, Kwan also explores the unimaginable wealth disparity rarely discussed.
Now part of a larger conversation, Kwan advocates the need for proper representation in society, as he says, "The more we demystify a culture and people, the more we relate to each other."
Cultivating Creativity: Balancing Financial Success And Personal Fulfillment
A graduate of Parsons School of Design and a creative consultant whose clients included Interview magazine, the New York Times, the Museum of Modern Art, Rockwell Group, Elizabeth Taylor Jewelry, Oprah Winfrey, and TED.com, not to mention the author of the wildly successful Crazy Rich Asians, Kevin Kwan is no stranger to commercial-creative projects. But how does he balance personal fulfillment with financial gains?
In this discussion, Kwan offers his views on fostering creativity, especially among youth and in impoverished communities, where the emphasis is generally on financial success, while exploring ways in which creative individuals can express themselves and find support in a competitive industry.
