The Comment Section with Drew Afualo - THIS ONE IS FOR THE 808 Ft. Auli'i Cravalho | Drew Afualo | THE COMMENT SECTION EP 72

Episode Date: June 28, 2023

[video available on Spotify] This week, the legendary Auli'i Cravalho, aka Moana herself, joins Drew on the show to talk Polynesian representation in media. They debunk hate comments that audiences won't watch films about underrepresented groups, talk how Auli'i got the role of Moana through a chance open casting call, why Drew wants to play The Rock's brother in Hobbes and Shaw, and so much more! Drew: https://linktr.ee/drewafualo Auli'i: IG / TikTok Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Rock just existing was representation in it of itself. But even then, like... I read a statistic that he makes up something like 80% of all Pacific Island roles. Like him. Just like him. But I would also like to say that he owns the production company. Because there's eight and he gets all of them. Hey, everyone, and welcome back to another episode of the Comment Section show starring me, your favorite.

Everybody knows me. And again, nobody cares about me anymore. Today, I have an extremely special guest. my fellow island yell the one and only ali e crevallio i like you a lot oh thank you so much it's not it doesn't matter anymore nobody cares about me anymore ever since i became spotify exclusive they're like okay who's on the show and now i'm so honored to have you well thanks i watch your episodes i think really funny i think of you kind of like a big sister from the internet i'm like period what what kind of shit are we

talking today i get really excited i love that for us i love that i can be that for everyone else Everyone's like, you're where I go when I want to like be really mean. Period. Yeah. Works for me. I agree. Representation matters. I mean, I can't say that.

Like the mouse is like breathing over my shoulder. So yeah, I look at you for that as well. Yeah, you're like my tether. Ali's like my good twin. Oh, I wouldn't go out there. Like if we got split and half. Sure. Yeah, sure.

You're like all the nice parts. Yes. Outwardly presenting like, I have my talking points down pat and I do not stray from them. Yeah. Yeah. I love that. What's your sign? I'm a Sagittarius though. Oh, love. Don't worry. Like, I'm surrounded by Sagittarius women. My mom and sister are a Sagittarius. They flock to me. I love that for us. I'm a Virgo. Oh, my mom's a Virgo. Look at us. Wow. I'm your mom. Turns out I'm your mom. Listen, if we hang out outside of this podcast, we're going to fight, but we're going to love each other for it. I love that. Yeah. I love that

that is very true. Yeah. That's very true. Just ask my family. I'm so happy to have you here. Thanks. You're a legend in the making. Please. Icon living. Thank you. The one and only Moana. Do you ever? Do you ever? No, not ever. No. And now that there's a live action coming out, like... I was like careful because Disney's watching. I'm just kidding. I will simply never stop talking about it. I love that. I love that for us. I saw, I think I saw Moana. I saw it in theaters, yeah, when I was in college. You went to the theater for that? Yeah, you were a wee baby. I was living in Hawaii at the time too. Say, UH grad.

Mm-hmm. Local kind girls. Rise up! Local baddies are only going to get that joke. They're the only ones who get those jokes. If you're not from the A-D-Wa-Wa, you're just not going to get it. You just don't get it, and that's okay. I made a joke on my other podcast with my sister about dating, like, local Polynesian boys in Hawaii.

And I was like, where they take you on a date to the rainbow drive-in. And, like, my sister- If you're lucky. What do you mean? Everyone was like, my sister kind of laughed and I was like, the local vishes are going to eat that joke up. They're going to get it. They're going to get it. They're going to totally get that joke.

The Aidaway girls are going to eat that up. Yeah. And you know your wifey when like Waihole Poi factory? Uh-huh. Mm-hmm. When you takes you to Yankee. Oh my gosh. Now they have them on the trays.

I know. Instead of just like easy. They leveled up. Like finger food. Everybody used to grab the train and put it back. Yeah. Oh, I'm so glad they upgraded that. Yeah.

Someone's talking about it. I really appreciate it. Thank you so much, Genki. It's sponsored by Genki. Nobody's ever heard of that. That's what I'm like, this is going to be such a specific episode. Genki sushi. Listen, the local girls who get it, get it.

And that's simply that on that. Were you living in Hawaii when you did Juana? Or no, you had to come here, huh? I would fly out here. I was still at Akamah School, so I would fly out once a month or so and just like do hours. and I was like six hours of a voiceover work, but yeah, I still lived there. It was in open casting, right, when you applied? That's so awesome.

Yeah, open casting, I didn't apply because I didn't, like, my friends were auditioning. I was like, eh, I enjoy singing, but I'm not going to make a career out of it. And then, seemingly on the last day of casting, I got, like, an email because my friends and I put together an audition to become the entertainment of a nonprofit event because we also got extra credit for school, like for a school project. Nice. And the casting director was from Hawaii Five-O, and she was also doing casting on the islands. And I did my first slate, and it worked out.

And they flew me up and changed my life. That's crazy. Yeah. Like, just by pure coincidence. Yeah. That's so cool. So I'm hoping to extend. What was that experience like when you, like, first?

Because you said you weren't even planning on making singing a career. So, like, how was that transition from, like, that to being the first ever. Polyesian princess in cartoon? Yeah, it was overwhelming. I also, like I said, like, I went to an all-Hawain school and, like, born and raised in the island, so I knew how important it would be to my community, to my family, like, my cousins go to Punana Leo or, like, Hawaiian immersion schools. They were like, someone who looks like me, who, like, actually is going to be played by

someone of Pacific Island descent, like, but I was also cast when I was 14 and I was like, oh, no, I have to create, like, a public social. media accounts. I would send all of my posts through Disney first to make sure that it got approved. Wow. It was a whole thing. Like a big 180. Whole thing. That's crazy. Yeah. My mom's like, you can't turn out like Miley Cyrus or like Britney Spears. And I was like, I know, I'm scared. Just trying my best. Yeah. I mean, you only know what you know at the time, but you worked out. I think you're killing it. It's, we're still going. Yeah, absolutely. I make mistakes all the time. Just, I try to

off the internet about it. Well, also like, I think growing up in the public eye is never easy. Yeah. Especially when you get cast so young. Yeah. I can't even imagine. I got cast when I was an old cast. I got into this world when I was an old man. Well, it didn't matter anymore. But like the beauty of that is that you have such a specific and vibrant personality

whereas I feel like I'm trying to find it in in the eye of the public. Like you like have a voice and you're like, fuck it if you don't like it, leave. You know? or as I'm like, still moving through it. Please don't leave.

It's right. It's right on the other side, I promise. You know, when that came out to, when the movie actually came out, very exciting time for Pacific Islanders, obviously. Yeah. We were all very stoked. But I remember one of my friends sent me

to audition for, to play her in the parks, right? Like in Disneyland parks, right? And I was like, well, she sent it to me. She's like, you should do this. When I looked at said, like, you couldn't be taller than 5'4. And I said, hey, girl, didn't read that first line. I'm out.

No. Hold out immediately. Okay, but let's shit talk because did you see the videos of Moana's in the park trying to do in the wayhead? Yeah, in the very beginning. Wehes are, yeah. And if you... In Hawaiian, in Hula. Yeah, in Fula dancing.

Yeah. Well, they gave her moccasins. That's true. That's not culturally accurate either, isn't it? You gave her some... Do it bare. You give her some ABC store slippers. Oh, that's accurate.

That I believe. I'm into it. I'm into it immediately. If you don't have the tan lines of the slippers, the Scots? Yeah. Yeah, like, have you heard of, you know, I.M. Tongi. Yes. He won an American Idol.

Yes. Congrats, Ian. We're big fans to you here on the show. Congratulations, everyone. Thank you to the island of Oahu exclusively for making sure he won. When he auditioned, I knew, well, I just, knew he was Polynesian, but like when I saw the slippers, I knew he was from... I know. I knew he was from the

North Shore specifically, I knew. No, it warmed my heart because I was like, those are the new khaki Shores with the new slippers and the clean black shirt and he looked good. Yeah, he did. And he sang his heart out. 8-08 proud. Look at us. We're rising all over the

place. You can't get rid of it. Our time is now. They can't stop all of us. Let's rise together. Me just can positioning everyone to rise up. Good. AAPI month past, but we're keeping up attention. Well, it's about time, I'd say.

I agree. Well, I'm really glad to, with Moana as a whole, like, that they had someone like you. And obviously, you know, the rock is like a classic figure in the Pacific Islander community. So I'm really happy that. In the world. Yeah, I always make that joke. I'm like, if you aren't familiar with someone, people, like, really as a whole. and then you mentioned the rock, they're like, oh.

Oh, yeah. Yeah. Because they conflate. They're like, oh, like Jason Momoa. No, he's not someone. He is Pacific Islander, but he's not someone. Is he not? No, he's Hawaiian.

Really? Mm-hmm. He's Kanaka. I did not know that. Yeah. I mean, I feel like I can tell based off, like, facial features. Yeah. I feel like I always can tell, like, which Pacific Islander you are.

We all look very different. I agree with that. See, like, me and Ali are both Pacific Islander, but we do not look the same. No. So that's like ranges. But my dad is also like Puerto Rican and Portuguese. Yeah. So I'm about as white passing of a Hawaiian as you can get.

It's just right there. Well, I think it's important that like you're also a local girl, but that you got so much like, I guess like so much protection around you in launching a new movie like that because that's scary to do a whole new movie, especially one that's supposed to be representative of so many different cultures. Yeah. No, I was really great. that it was only just voiceover. Like I also did a lot of press for it because Dwayne was, I think, doing like B-WaWa, and Lin-Manua Miranda was doing

Hamilton. So I did the majority of the press tour, which... Oh, dang, alone. Yes. Which is where, like, thankfully, my career, like, kind of started, because otherwise, if I only did the voiceover portion without any press, though, would know who I am. But that meant that I could still go to, like, KTA and buy beans, you know, like, no one was recognizing me in the aisles. Yeah.

Really nice. You know, I don't know if it's the same experience for you. I'm sure it is. But like I feel like when I'm in Hawaii now, like, nobody cares about me and I'm cool with that. They'll say hi to me. Everyone comes up and says hi and they're so nice, but they don't like treat me any differently. No. Drew, I got humbled.

So I cut my hair, right? And I have bangs. It looks cute. Thanks. I love it. Thanks. I was expecting like a little start treatment. Nothing.

Nothing. Nothing. Girl, I saw I, Tungi had them on, like, welcoming him with a sign on the runway. I said, where's mine? When I pulled up to Daniel K. E. Noi. International Airport? Nothing. Where's mine, girl? Nowhere. Walked off sweating just like everybody else, as it should be.

Yeah, humidity hits you straight in the face. I love it. Oh, I love for the humidity. I came back to this dry, wild-ass weather. Randomly cold and rainy. I know. It's so gross. I agree. Over there, I thrive over there.

Because that's where my ancestors were. Your hair looks good. And I'm tan, girl, period. I know. I feel like when I go there, they don't care about me, and I'm cool with that. Yeah. I feel like they come up and they say hi and they're so nice. But they just don't treat me any differently, which I love.

No, I just don't care. Yeah. Yeah. I need someone who is going to be real with me. I know. My God, my kid love that movie. You keep going. I was like, thank you, uncle.

Bye. They're like, line starts back there. I know. I'll see you in a little bit. That's how I feel about New York, too. Like, someone will see you on the subway and you're like, yeah, New York. New York, I go there all the time now for work, and everybody there, I used to hate New York.

Really? Yeah, I just, landlocked is not for me, like that, like super closed in my buildings and pavement. It's not my vibes. No, I feel that. But I also felt like New York was very similar to Hawaii, and that it's a melting pot. Like, you're going to meet people from all over the place.

The food is so good in New York, too, because you could get anything at any time always. Yeah. I'm a DoorDash connoisseur, personally. And so, like, New York, I like it now. It's growing on me. I'll say that. I used to really hate it, but now, like, that I go a lot, it's growing on me a little bit. Okay.

Not quite the same, though, as Hawaii. A little different. A little different. Yeah. As far as my affinity to go there, like, on my own free time. Oh, no. I'll only ever do that. everything else is required of me if I have to go to New York

we go if they pay us like that's fine I mean yeah you'll see me there if there's money involved yeah you'll see me there okay so we were talking about representation earlier so today on the show I want to talk about Polyesian representation in media obviously Elise and somewhat of an expert if I do say so myself just by existing I am the representation it starts and ends with like you and me When it comes to women

Like it's just That's it You know what I mean It's a short list Yeah it truly is Which is why It's so important That we have people like Ali

Starring in all kinds of different films Not just animated ones But I'm gonna talk about today For those for you Those of you who don't know What we do here on the comment section Is we bring videos that I was tagged in

That are applicable to our topic for today And then we're gonna laugh, Kiki Talk about them, Dissect them, whatever it may be So This first video I just give quick summaries of them. This one is, in this video, the filmmaker,

oh, it's Tycho YTT, is speaking at an event and he talks about how, instead of studios making projects where they just add in token Polynesian characters or token POC characters, when it doesn't make sense of the story and calling it diversity, he would rather see shows and films

made by Polynesian directors and showrunners that center around Polynesian characters and stories, right? Which is T. That's fair. Yeah, it makes sense to me. I also, I sometimes find that when I watch shows that for some reason, indigenous characters are sometimes the punchline or like the butt of the joke or like the dumb character.

And if that's the representation we get, we don't want it. Yeah, literally. It's okay. You can leave me out. Yeah. Don't include me. That's not the story that I'm hoping to tell. No, literally.

And it's also not accurate either, is it? Yeah. But it's also, I saw, I think I know, like. like the clips of where he's talking about this, because I've been seeing it a lot lately on my social media. But he's also talking about how, like, if you have, like, a story that centers Polynesian characters and you cast, like, all Polynesian roles, okay, great.

But then it should go beyond that, and you should have Polynesian showrunners and, like, diversity inclusion and directors and producers. And, like, if you're going to do it, do it. No, that's so massive because otherwise you also get, um, I don't I say this like you just

you kind of you get boxed in of how much you can actually talk about of your own culture it's like well then what's the point yeah you know if you're gonna tell me that I can

like wear a hula skirt but it can only be made out of like Raffia which is like it's like plastic like you know one of those hula dolls and stuff it's like this is the whitewash version of my culture yeah absolutely

And it's for too long we've already had that. So I completely agree with him. He also makes such unique films. Like his tone and his directorial style, his writing is so unique. And I think even, let's see Ian, yeah? From just one. American Idol. American Idol.

Oh, I.m. Yeah. He has like such a unique voice. And we're hoping to see more of that on screen and behind the screen as well. Like, if you don't, if you don't allow this space, you're never going to get these rich, beautiful stories. Yeah, absolutely. And I saw him say to, like, the reason why it's important is because, like, you have, you have these Polynesian people who want to tell this Polynesian story. But then if you have a white showrunner, like, they're telling you how they acted in that story, which, again, negates it.

It's like, what's the point? Exactly. Like, if we're going to do it, let's do it. If not, you can leave me out. That's cool. Cut me out of it instead. Because they're not going to get the jokes. about the Scots.

Yeah. You're not going to get the rainbow drive-in joke. I'm sorry. You're not going to understand that the best chicken comes from Foodland and that the best pocket

comes from Safeway. You're never going to understand it. You just don't get it. It's not going to those girls. That's why you need the girls. Yeah. The Polynesian girls.

So some of the comments on this video, this one says, in a world that's run by white people and where media is 80% white, no one will watch a 100% Polynesian show.

It will get canceled. Okay. Well, things are getting canceled left and right. So tell that to your favorite streaming service. Take it up with them. Yeah, literally. There's a lot of factors that go into stuff like that. It's not exclusive to like, well, they act like they're being cut out.

Like, for example, I can watch the movie Enkanto. That's not my culture. But did I play it on a loop every day all of January last year? Yeah, I did. Yeah, I did because I love the story. Like, it's one of those things where it's like, well, doesn't include me I can't relate to it well that's not true that just means you're fucking boring that's what I'm saying yeah you only watch films and movies that you personally feel represented in

what's that like I can't relate to that we can't relate to that we've been doing it our whole lives how come you can't do it right I've been doing it my whole life bitch I'm sure you can do it making something specific that like a community feels seen about like there will always be an audience for it and that's absolutely like Polynesia's also bigger than You think? So much bigger. There's Micronesia. There's Salmon Islands.

There's Tonga. There's Tahiti. There is Aoteiroa, in New Zealand, which they're still fighting to bring back their native name Aoteroa. Hawaii, like Solomon Islands. Yep. New Caledonia. All of Melanesia. You know what?

Shout to New Caledonia. Period. You're so right. Yeah. Fiji. I forgot about it. There's all kinds. Eastern Island.

There's all kinds. And none of us look alike. Yeah. It's just like there. their exposure to it doesn't go past, like they watched Lilo and Stitch in the dentist office one time and they're like, I've seen it all.

I don't need to see any more. I've seen it all. Okay, that movie was about Native Hawaiian people who inherit an alien, and you guys, you ate that up, didn't you? Can you relate to owning an alien? I can't. No crimes.

But I watched it, and I was like, this movie's hilarious. I love it. Yeah. And that was our representation on screen. That was our for... Can we have just a little more? Just a little more.

Please. That's literally me begging for representation. Yeah. Then when Moana came out, that was our next move. Yeah. The Rock just existing was representation in it of itself. But even then, like... I read a statistic that he makes up something like 80% of all Pacific Island roles.

Like him. Just like him. But I would also like to say that he owns the production company. Because there's eight and he gets all of them. There's 10, he gets eight of them. We need to make the production companies and cast ourselves is what I'm hearing. That's the only way to do it now. Now you got to, we got to force our way in the door.

Oh my gosh. 80% of all the rolls. I'm not joking. That's so funny. That's hilarious. And make sense. Get your uncle. And not his fault.

Get your uncle. Cast me instead. I can do it. Cast me as the rock. We're built the same. So we have the same body type. I'm sure it'll be fine. Oh, my God.

People won't know the difference. Imagine like you in like tooth fairy or in Baywaw? In Baywatt? In tooth fairy? No, cast me in Hobbs and Shaw. I'm going to be Hobbs. He's Hobbs, right? I wish I knew.

Yeah, I think it seems like, I almost said Calvin and Hobbs. That's different. Hey, that's different. What the fuck am I saying? Never mind. Hobbs and Shaw. I could have played his brother easily. Same there.

His brother. He only had brothers. Unless I want to play his mom. But then that means I look older than the rock and that's mean. You? That's antagonistic. You really know the plot. Oh, of Hobbs and Shop, girl, get into it.

There's a whole, me, I'm always doing PR for Hobbs and Shot. Always promoting that movie. Hello? I'm just trying to, like, keep up with the Fast and Furious. Yeah, Hobbs and Shot. Yeah, it's a spinoff of Fast and Furious to my knowledge. Don't come from me Fast Fans. I don't know your culture very well. But I, I know cars go room.

That's all I know. But he is, like, in a spinoff of it. And then he, like, goes back to Sam. And you know when they say they're in... Oh, no, I did watch that. Yeah, yeah, yeah. The shirt came off, the shirt came back on, where it came from where it went, we don't know.

Yeah, when his mom was like, I replaced all the guns with spears. Sure. Sure. Hey, listen, that's 80% of the roles right there. We're all taking up in that movie. And Roman Raines was in that movie, too. I remember when I watched, they're like,

who else can we think of? Who else can we think of? They forgot about Rikishi. They could have cast him. Troy Palomalu. Yeah. They forgot about him too. Yeah.

All fucking three famous ones. Just put them all in there. Fuck it. They don't need to look alike over the same age. Who cares? Yeah, there's a whole scene where he goes back to Samoa when really it's in Hawaii, I think. Yeah. Yeah.

Which is typically what they do. We love you, Uncle Dwayne. Yeah. And I've met him twice so far. That's about the same time as amount of times that I've met him. You were in a whole movie. So that checks out. Because we record everything separately.

That's true. I met him for a press day and then after for me. Yeah. Nice. Look at that. He was great. He smelled really good. And he is, in fact, covered in baby oil.

He is always. He does smell nice. He does. I've told people that. Sometimes when I, in my, like, interactions with him that I've, like, posted, like, pictures and videos and stuff, people are like, oh, I know you said you were big, but, like, now I feel like you really are because they saw me standing next to him and he looks normal size.

And I was like, well, that. That's kind of mean, but it's okay. It's all right. I told you guys we have the same build, so. That's what someone's jeans. I'm telling you. People don't believe me. Listen, you watch your favorite sports, your football.

Watch rugby. Yeah. That's a good shit. Yeah, girl. And then you'll see that every one of us is enormous, and that's okay. It's just the jeans. I think there's a new movie coming out. Tycho YTT is directing a movie based off Asamwin's Sophe.

soccer team, which is extra representative for me because I did play soccer my whole life. Wow. Yeah, because everyone's like, volleyball, basketball? No. Wrong. The white man's sport. Wow. Soccer.

Soccer. Interesting. I know. So I played that my whole life. So that movie is based off them. And I'm like, that's the most representative, wait, represented I've ever felt looking at a commercial. So really cool.

But you really are like representation for a lot of someone. Women. Thanks, but it's true. You're just not used to seeing us. I know. Yeah. I know. Did people try to guess what you were when you first came onto the scene?

Because they've guessed about me and I'm like, you're so wrong. It's crazy. I just get racially ambiguous, which sends me into like... A spiral. Yeah. Just a dark hole, really. Because I am, so I'm like a mixed plate, right? Yeah.

I'm Hawaiian, Irish, Chinese, Puerto Rican and Portuguese, which comes from... The sugar cane plantations and how a lot of people went to Hawaii and found cheap labor. But, yeah, I really do feel like representation is so incredibly important. Like, I think that it changes lives and saves lives. So I just have to, like, recognize that my identity is Hawaiian. But I will almost have to convince people that I know my shit for forever. I know. I feel like it's such a, it's such a weirdly invasive thing to have to, like, validate your own ethnicity to other people. Yeah. It's such a, such a strange and uncomfortable feeling. It's something that I feel like people shouldn't have to do.

Does, do people just constantly tell you about their trips to Hawaii? Oh, yeah, girl. All the time. Girl, when Juana came out, look, this is me collecting my reparations. When Juana came out, that's all I heard. Have you ever seen Juana? Yeah, probably. What do you think? Look at me. Yeah.

When they see us too, like, because my family is very like clearly someone, I think, I think my sister and my mom are a little more, a little more ambiguous, but like they still look like ethnic to some extent. My mom's got tattoos now, though, so that's a lot easier to diagnose. But even now, I feel like my dad looks extremely something. someone like super um i feel like mine's like that kind of my brother super yeah so when they see us as a family they're like oh look at you guys have you guys seen juana it's like the next question they ask my boyfriend too because my boyfriend has long hair and i've said on the show before how like polnese people love long hair on men especially long hair on everyone but especially men and uh my my boyfriend has really long hair so it's the same thing they used to say like oh you look like maui he doesn't

Not at all. Not even close, actually. Yeah. Okay. The hair is there. Yeah. But I guess like brown. Listen, we're lucky to have full heads of hair.

Yeah, girl. Great hair genetics. Great. That's why I want to make fun of shitty men's hairlines. The thinning? I'm allowed to. Can't relate. I can't really.

My genetics don't know anything about that. Unfortunately for you. Okay, let me get back to these comments. Okay, so this one says they don't use white systems make your own sure yeah sure oppression doesn't exist I mean say that again they don't use white systems make your own I'm assuming they're talking about like like make our own system

don't use their system make my own version of oppression I guess well and I oppress somebody else okay okay do you say so careful what you wish for Okay, and this last one says It wasn't your reality So only unless you want to make Movies cater to yourself Which would make very little money I'd keep it broad

Tell that's a fight club What? Like, why am I watching two men Beat each other up? Like that is not my reality That's not the world that I want to live in What? Like

Girl Willy Wonka in the chocolate factory Yeah Let's dissect that What part? What? That's why I said, like, the Hunger Games, like, I can't relate to that. No.

Not even a little bit. Not even a little bit. And yes, entertaining. Yeah. So I think we can always find something that's entertaining and informative that, I don't know, we see brown people in more than one, preferably. Yeah, just like, I just think it's crazy when you, when people are like, you know what, like we would love more representation. And there's been thousands of white examples, like, let's just do one. white and everyone's like what about the rest of us what about you you have thousands of

examples go pick another one yeah close your eyes and go through a roll-a-dix and you'll find one of someone who looks like you i remember when i worked with ron and john um who ron clements and john musker who made little mermaid and they got shit for making her a redhead like from branding they were like we're never going to be able to sell enough redhead dolls because people aren't going to see themselves it's like we have have come so far. It has taken us so long to see these baby steps. But this is also the good thing about us being part of a younger generation.

Yeah, absolutely. We're pushing for it. We're not going to let anyone slide. And it's true that AAPI month just passed, but it's also keeping up that energy throughout the rest of the year. And yes, creating our own production companies like Dwayne does to make sure that we stay in the forefront. Otherwise, we are trying to, I think, change people's minds of like, no, I could play this character that you perceive to be white, like in your head because you will pretty consistently casting will see themselves in these roles.

And a lot of people are still. Well, absolutely. And that's also T about the part about the redhead because they just never say the quiet part out loud, which is that white people aren't going to like this because white people don't see themselves and white people move units, white people by. tickets they deem what's popular because they control what's popular and so they they just don't say the quiet part out loud which is why now when you see so much representation or at least like a sliver more than you ever have in the last like 20 years yeah um people are like oh it's just everywhere it's just everywhere now and it's like it's not even scratching the surface of how much media comes out every single year and doesn't include POC representation whatsoever but it's true they just like like

Yeah. It's just everywhere. It's being haunted. I'm being haunted. And it's like your entire worldview, if you only ever see white people all the time, cis straight, white people all the time, everywhere, everywhere you go, that's a problem. That's not a flex. That's not a good thing. That you have no idea what life looks like outside of a white lens. That's a problem, especially in 2023 and as an adult. There's no way that you shouldn't be consuming media from different cultures to some extent at this point, especially with access to social media. Like, there's just no excuse for it anymore.

With access to podcasts. Yeah, like literally any form of media at your fingertips. Yeah. It's a conscious choice you're making if you're actively choosing to only watch things that represent white people. Like, that's weird. That's weirdo behavior.

I think I should make it my mission so that you can't. You're going to see me everywhere from now on. Mm-mm. That's what I did. I promised terrible men that. I was like, I'm going to go to it. Surprise, bitch. I'm going to spread to every single platform so you never, ever, ever escape me.

And so far it's working. I'm haunting these bitches, as it should be. And I think, too, like, even when you talk about IM Tongy, like, a lot of people, that was like their first exposure ever that Polyesian people can sing. Yeah. Which is crazy because Al-Li's been in the game for a minute. And she can sing. But a lot of you, but just don't know.

Okay, scratch that. Literally go to any high school and any of the Polynesian islands and you'll hear the most incredible voices. Truly. Actually, though. Oh, my gosh. Oh, my gosh. So talented. Truly.

Like, in the arts, like as a whole, dance, singing, all of that. And I didn't get the singing gene, unfortunately. But you did get the soccer gene. I got the athleticism. And I got the laugh. So there you go. We're on the opposite sides of the coin, huh? Yeah.

That's why I said We're each other's tethers. I'm your evil twin. You know what? I really accept that now. Yeah, see, two sides of the same coin. That's the version everybody likes to see. I'm the version they're forced to see.

There you go. Happens to the best of us. Big sister vibes only. Okay, let's move on to this next video. In this video, a man is commenting on Oh, look, American Idol, Paul-Nusia contestant, E.M. Tongy. the one and only.

This was posted before he won. Basically saying that he thinks Eam's voice isn't that strong and that he most likely just win because of his story. Rude and racist. Out the gate, I'm calling it. Rude and racist and fatphobic, out the gate, I'm calling it. True. Anyways.

And clearly he was talented enough to win the entire thing. Oh, like, it's so stupid. It's so stupid. I'm so tired of having to convince people that talent exists and, and that it doesn't matter what your view is. Shut up. Just because you personally don't like it

doesn't mean that that person isn't talented or gifted. It just means it's not your preference, which is like a different thing. Correct. But I also, this is another thing too. One thing that EM did like in just an incredible way is he played songs that are close to our culture.

Playing like Kolohe Kai, like Island Reggae. When he played, cooled down like that song we grew up with a lot of you bitches have never heard of kolohe kai have you that's true talk about another local legend but you think about songs like that and when he sang a spawn breezy song those are just songs that are so close to us that to see that on the big screen on a national television show is just incredible and he he killed it he's saying so beautifully yeah But he chose songs that represent him, that represent his culture. And I feel like that's important.

And when I see people talk about singing, like, I see sometimes they describe some voices as like storyteller voices. So they're voices that, although technically may not be like the craziest voice you've ever heard. Like they're not like whistle notes. But they tell a story. They move you. They make you feel something, which is the whole point of music. That is well said. Yeah, so they're saying storyteller voices are just as important as ones that are like one of a kind voices, which I think his is too.

Yeah. But like, you know, whenever they think about someone who can sing crazy, crazy talented, they reference people like Mariah Carey or like Michael Jackson or something like that, which obviously those people are talented. I just think it's just like apples and oranges. You can't really compare them because they're different lanes. Yeah. But what do I know? I'm just a lung head who can't sing. I agree with everything that you said.

I have such a hard time convincing people to just watch things that are out of their usual range. Well, it's also like it feels telling when they look a certain way. Because here's the real tea. There are many artists who are their voices are okay. They're good. They're solid. but they're much more marketable. What that means is they're palatable.

Like people, they're nice to look at, thin, right? A lot of times white. There are plenty of people like that who have careers. But then you see someone like Eam and you're like, well, who am I going to market that guy? That's racism, babe. And whatever else, whatever other kind of internalized biases you got going on in here. That is so right. You're not being honest with yourself when you judge him so harshly like that.

instead of holding everyone to the same standards. Yeah. You know what I mean? Yes. There's plenty of examples of people who are mediocre and still have singing careers. You know who I'm talking about. I don't even know who I'm talking about. But I'm sure you thought of a name.

I thought of a few. And some of these comments proved that. Because like this one says, bro, you're exactly right. He's not marketable unless he becomes like a Jimmy Buffett 2.0. He has one sound. That's it. Jimmy Buffett. 80s?

Is Jimmy Buffett a singer? 60s. Sorry, Mom. 60s. Jimmy Buffett, like, the restaurant? Okay, he's a white guy who plays on the beach. Hmm. I wonder why you like Jimmy Buffett and not Ian.

I only got to scratch my head about that one. Jimmy Buffett of all the people who could have compared him to him to? I know. Jimmy Buffett 2.0? What? Bring him back. I didn't even know he was a singer. I miss Margaritaville.

Yeah, we need a margarita. Do you remember the Jimmy Buffett's that used to be in the White Kiki? No. You don't remember that? No. Girl, they had some fire-ass nachos. My friend used to serve there and she used to give us nachos for free, even though she wasn't supposed to. I love her.

Say her name. Say her name. I can't. I can't say her name, but you know who you are, girl. Love you, girl. Then they tore it down, built something else. don't even know what's there now but i used to go there when i was in college i think it's just like i think that sometimes people aren't they just aren't being honest with why they don't like

certain people because if i i have this like theory that like if everyone was truly honest about why they don't like certain people in the public sphere so like whether they're actors singers whatever it may be if you were actually 100% honest with yourself a lot of times you would find out you're just a hater. Yeah. And that's T. It's okay. We've all been a hater at some point. Some of us are still struggling with it.

But sometimes when you think I really don't like that guy, I can't think of why. Maybe you're a hater. Yeah. Maybe you're jealous. You have some type of internal bias. Something. Yeah. Something's in there, babe.

And I know because it's happened to me too. I'm like, why do I not like this person? I'm a hater. Wait. Wait, they kind of went full circle, though, because I love her contact. because I feel like you give voice to like my inner demons, right? But you've actually like gone through the whole thing of the thought process. Yeah.

Oh gosh. Well, I think self-reflection is important, especially as like an adult, as like a contributing member to society. It's important that you stay in tune in here and be honest with yourself. So sometimes, especially when you talk about internalized misogyny. So like naturally if you're someone who identifies as a woman and you're raised in a patriarchal society, your natural inclination is to demonize women, like is to compete with them,

is to feel like, you know, this kind of nagging, almost irritation or annoyance with them, depending on who it is, especially if it's someone that you feel like is of equal or higher value than you. But that's like a patriarchal,

that's internalized misogyny. Like you comparing yourself to other women and being judgmental of other women. Right. Because we don't have that same scale for men, which is true because they don't, you know, Theirs is like fostered as like a oh that's a great thing like teamwork let's all work together for women it's like there can only be one of us

So when I've unlearned and undid a lot of my own internalized misogyny like sometimes if I felt like I was having in like private beef with another girl If I sat with myself I'm like maybe I'm just being a hater Yeah Maybe I'm being annoying and I need to relax Yeah and it helps it helps you makes you better person I think yeah I've also had that crops in a barrel mentality. Yep. Where like, which I've had specifically coming from like the islands as well where like you're

making it, you're trying so hard and someone's going to pull you down. And if I if I do that to other women, I'm not surprised that other people would do that to us. Like even in a like a Polynesian representation kind of way of like, oh, you already have like your representation. Like you're fine. Absolutely. And that's another thing. too that you have to tie it back to representation is like I think where we kind of eat our

we we kind of eat ourselves up like that if we're like oh like for example if you hear like the rock gets 80% of Polynesian rules which again is because there's like two and he gets one of them you know what I'm saying like and there's nobody else who can who can fill in the other slot which is not his fault that's just like a system problem a lot so maybe sometimes Polynesian people would be like, I'm sick of seeing him. I'm sick of seeing him play every Polynesian role. Well, there's nobody else, right? But it's also like it turns us against each other.

Yeah. Instead of focusing on the real problem, which is why is there nobody else? And why are there only two roles every three, four, five, six years? You know what I mean? Yeah. And to go back on that comment that was saying, like, we should make our own system. Like, this is the system. We are in it.

Yeah, we're like currently existing in it. As much as I would love to make our own like BET channel, but like call it. P-E-T P-E-T like Entertainment channel Yeah It's just

It's not gonna happen So instead We have to Make a podcast Yeah We have to infiltrate in other ways Yeah Which we're doing now

Yes I did it with this Ellie did it with Juana EM's doing it With American Idol Like we're just bleeding into all different forms And slow but steady

Yeah truly Until we can all make our own seven bucks productions And cast ourselves Into our own stuff And then you guys Never hear the end of us No

Okay This next comment says, be honest, I heard him sing and said that's below average. I hear better every time. I'm at a, I don't know what that word is supposed to say. It says like M-A-R-A-E. Mar-A-E. Mar-I? It's like a Samoa and like a community house.

Again, there are so many fucking talented people coming out of Polynesia. Like it's not our fault that you haven't. Let's see you do it then. I know. That's why I'm like, I was like, of my eye, I don't... Strange word. I don't think I've ever heard that word for. But we have, like, so many beautiful, like, choirs.

And I think it comes from also... A lot of our storytelling and our history is through... Is only verbal. Like, we don't have a written... We didn't have a written language. At least I can speak from Hawaiian culture. So, we would sing our Mo'okuoho. Mo'u Ojo is, like, our genealogy from generations back.

Like we're used to we're used to it and it's a beautiful language. Yeah, absolutely. Yeah. And it was one of the only ways we kept culture alive while being colonized. Correct. It was through song. Yeah, it was through song and dance. Yes.

Right. And any other kind of cultural practice like in someone culture, it's like the, like the tribal tattoo is another way that we preserve cultural practice. I remember when I first started like growing a platform and people were like curious what I was and I told them I'm someone. I would always get questions about tattoos and specifically they would say like I'm not someone but is it cool if I get a tribal? Oh.

No. Hey. Well, there's meaning behind every inch of it. I actually just got mine. Beautiful. Did you get the tapping? No. Mine is just the gun but I'm looking forward to getting, we call it Kaka.

where yeah it's the it's the tapping but the artist that I want to see like you also can't control where it goes on your body that's right and that's true I remember that and that's the story like you in the process of getting a tattoo is also completely different from like a different of Western mentality where you yeah describe what you've been through you describe your life you describe your family name where you come from and where you're going like I have a lot of like seafaring birds because I always want to find my way back home

Yeah. And then I have the Kukia imona symbol, which is, we're, like, still fighting to have, like, our sacred land back. And so I have that symbol embedded in it. I have, like, stars. I have, like, I understand every inch of it. And it also fits, like, the placement of it is important. And, and, like, the little, you used to have little manu, little teeth. Like, I know, I have, like, I've talked about this before because some people are, like, really racist about my tattoo. But this is, like, Samun tribal, this is Malu on the hand, which is typically given on the thighs for women. But it's for chiefly women of chiefly bloodlines. And my mom's bloodline is chiefly. I believe my dad might have chief in his bloodline too, but I know for a fact my mom's maiden name is Maunga, so it holds a lot of power. And last names are really important in our cultures. Which is why when people botch my last name, that's you being racist, bitch. and I've said it before and I'll say it again.

So our last names hold a lot of power, which is why I'm really proud of my last name. And yours too. And your first name. Your first name is also Hawaiian, which I love. I thought for a while of just going by Aulii or taking my mom's maiden name of Kitana Aina. But I also, like, there's also something to be said

about representation for, like, mixed kids. Yeah, absolutely. That's the world that we're living. You're represented of multiple cultures. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But my mom's mom's name is Keana Aina.

And like, it's true that they just have so much more meeting. Yeah. You know, like person of the land. Yeah. And I also have chiefly blood in me. And it's like, it's fun that we also know that. Like, we know our history. Yeah.

We've learned it from when we were really young. I know. So that's why. Yeah, absolutely. And it's passed down through like stories and everything too, which is why I always tell people, if you have to ask me, the answer's no. Should I get that? Can I?

No. And that's okay. You can tattoo a literal dick on your arm if you wanted. You could tattoo any, you could write shit on your arm if you really want to do. You can get anything in the entire world. You don't have to get something that belongs to us. That's a good point. If you have to ask, the answer

is probably no. If you have to gut check with me, the answer is probably no. And I've already said that. I've said it many, many times. Which is so funny, back to the colonization part of like passing down culture. One of my cousins was telling me recently and obviously he's someone too

that there are a lot of someone that are Mormon, right? Which is obviously colonization. But they said a lot of them were Mormon because Mormon was one of the few religions that let them keep their cultural practice. So they let them keep their last names. They let them still dance.

They let them still make food the way they wanted and speak in their language. Whereas, because someone's dying language, just like I think Hawaiian's a dying language too. Most indigenous languages are. So Mormonism was one of the only religions that let them keep that.

So there's many more Mormons than anything, but like there are some Christians and Catholics too but. Yeah. That's so true. It's crazy. It's crazy. Our hymns into our native language. Absolutely. Which is crazy to think about because even then they were like,

well, can I still like do my own thing? Right. We still wear the lava lava. Yeah. They let us still dress the way we wanted and stuff like that, which is crazy to think about. But that's another reason. That's another thing that we had to like endure and overcome and are still dealing with the repercussions of that today. Right? Because with colonization comes white supremacy and that's another reason why a lot of biases have been passed down in generations within our culture. Because like I've told people before, gender is not real. It doesn't exist. It was a man-made construction. but especially if you look at indigenous cultures like ours.

We never had a gender binary. Get into it. We never did. And that's why I said when some people want to have this conversation with me, I'm like, some of you bitches are not smart enough to have this conversation with me. Because it's true. I was like, that's what my culture. My culture did not adhere to a strict gender binary.

There were no genders before being colonized. Everything all goes back to the same center point. So when you ask me a superficial question, like, can I get tribal on me? And I say, no, you can't get mad. There's a whole list of reasons why. It's like a whole list of why that's so harmful and problematic. Yes. And unnecessary.

You don't have to do it. Tattoos aren't necessary for you. But they are for us. It's cultural practice. Yeah. When I tell you that when I got this, like after an hour long consultation and the pain of getting it, I was like, oh, I feel like a little more complete. Like no matter even if I live in Los Angeles, which is not too far away from Hawaii,

but also leagues away culturally, I'm like, oh, at least like I know who. I am. Yeah. And if it's not outwardly presenting, like, I still feel, I still, like, feel the, the importance of it. Yeah. Like, that is how important these tatao, cacao, uh, are for us. All of it.

It's so, it plays such a, it's plays such a strong and vibrant role in our lives and in our culture. So when someone's just like, well, that looks cool. Yeah. It's offensive. Right. You know, okay, well, a lot of things look cool and you don't see me getting it. You know what I mean?

because it's not for me. And that's okay. Not everything in this life is for everyone. But that's why I think that's just an entitlement that some people have. They're like, well, I feel entitled to literally everything because everything's always been for me. We can't say the same.

How do we tackle everyone telling us about their vacations to Hawaii? Any recommendations? Yeah. Like people have gotten married. Someone owns a timeshare. Great. Thanks for telling you that.

I'm just going to start saying, that's offensive. Yeah, I know. That is offensive. It's very annoying. Yeah. It's very microaggressive too. I've dealt with that before where they're like, where you guys from? I know what you really want to know.

Yeah. The answers no. Yeah. So I'm like not far from here, honestly. It's probably like an hour from here. And they're like, oh, where are your people from? Who cares? What do you get from that information?

Yeah. Like, what's your tribe wrong native? I was saying that I went on a road trip from Tennessee here to L.A. with my dad. Yeah. But my dad grew up born and raised on Big Island. So, like, he has a thick accent that he has to work really hard to not put on. So I was like, Dad, oh, my God. Like, da la la la la, you know, like fully talking in, like, pigeon to him.

And, like, the looks that we get of, like, oh. They're so confused. I know. It's so funny. They're like, where is that? That's such a cute accent. Where is that from? I got that a couple times.

Yeah. And you're like, well. Which in that case, like, I don't mind. Like, it's a different, it's a different sound. And I'll do that when someone passes me and I go, oh, what language is that? That's so interesting. Yeah. But asking if you can get something tattooed on your body is a little different.

It's a different conversation. Yeah. It's a different. It's a shorter conversation. No. No. That's the answer to that is no. Okay.

This last comment on this video of EM is. It's for the views. The story grabs the views textbook tactics, whatever. Hater, hater, hater. I'm a hater. I'm a hater. I'm a hatter. I would say for stuff like that, I mean, well, first of all,

everyone loves a good story, obviously. Obviously. But that's not what got him through the competition. And that's also, like, specifically produced by the show. You realize that, right? Yeah, exactly. You write a whole background. You, and that has nothing to do with his talent.

that won't take you to the very end. No, it really won't. Won't win you the show. Yeah. Well, especially if the show is like, once you get to a certain point in it, like, it's voted for by your fans. Right. So you're not telling the story over and over again. You're just like, you know the story.

Yeah. And you just watch me every week, like, say and perform. And then they're like, I like him. I don't like him. You know what I mean? Like, it's okay. That's totally funny. If he's not your cup of tea, that's fine.

Islander you know voices and songs and stories I guess if they're not for you go fuck yourself but at the same time I feel like who are you to judge

how someone else sings like I know for a fact like when I watch the Great British Baking show not my culture do I know how to bake fuck no I don't know how to do anything in the oven but I watch it and I'm like wow she made a huge mistake and I keep it in here

because I know I have no right to judge how someone else does something that I physically cannot do. So I just watch an awe and admiration. I judge a lot for singing. I'm constantly judging America's God talent, American Idol, all of them. As you should. I should be on the panel. She absolutely should. At least you have qualifications.

I tell people like I want to be on the voice so bad, but I cannot sing. I can't sing. I can't give you advice. I can be so funny though. I'd be quippy. be hilarious. Give me Carson Daly's job. I'll take his. Oh my God. You can't. Where I introduce people.

I like run a bunch of bits. Nobody's approved. I just think I'm entertainment. I'm there for vibes and vibes only. I think that would be fun. That's why I said you can judge the singing. Okay. And I'll just be funny. Okay. I'll just be a dancing clown next to you.

You have the qualifications to judge singing. I don't. I don't know that I have the qualifications. But I mean, you can sing. That's more than enough. Oh, okay. Shit. as far as I know. I like your qualification.

I mean, you can sing and you know technically, I'm sure. You know technically, hmm. You know, like, technical terms for all singing and all that. Yes. I don't know. I don't know anything. Legato. See, that's, nothing.

I don't know what that means at all, but it sounds legit to me. Teach me a soccer term. A soccer term? A corner kick. Where do you kick it in the corner? I didn't know that. From the corner. Bro. Really?

Yeah. Cornered you corner? No, no. You just kick it in like towards the goal. The point is to try and score a goal. Hey, thank you for that. You're welcome. You want something every day.

That's new information that just trickled into my brain. What is yours mean? The same terms that you gave me. Legato is like, instead of staccato. Oh, I see. Yeah. Look at me. Now the voice can hire me legally.

Yeah. Legally, you guys can hire me now. You have the requirements. More than enough certification, I think. Yeah, I'll sign whatever you want me to. I had Juana herself tell me, there you go. Mawanna. I just signed it Wana.

Mwana. I guess at the end of the day, all these people are racist and you can eat shit in this second video, for sure. I just think if I can't do it and I have a problem with someone who can, I'm probably a hater. Yeah. Yeah. Point by his period. Yeah. Yeah.

I think there's power to an admitting that you're being a hater. I've done it. I'm like, am I just like the biggest fucking hater or is this person annoying? I'm going to have to do that on my own time. I hate being right. I highly encourage everyone to do it of all ethnicities, ages, gender identities. Just to ask yourself, am I the biggest fucking hater in the world or is this person actually irritating? No, Drew, because you have to realize I, I'm like in this industry day and day out.

I know who, like, who gets, like, a few steps ahead of me and I'm like, fuck, you know, like, I'm just hating. Sometimes it's warranted. And it's internalized misogyny. Yeah. Yeah. When against women, a lot of times, yeah. When it's women pitting women against each other. Damn it.

The beautiful part about that, though, is diagnosing it and then understanding it. It gives you a lot more peace. I know. You have a whole episode on this. I do. Yeah. I do. There you go.

I tell a joke, but I'd never tell a lie. Unless I lie, then I'm lying. that's a good rule to live by Yeah If you're going to do it, do it well Okay, so we're at the end of the show now But what would you What kind of like words of wisdom or advice

Would you want to give to maybe Polynesian people who want to break into this industry Whether it's like an actor or a singer Or an artist in some fashion What would you say is like your best piece of advice for them If they're feeling a little bit on the outs Like you and I did Oh gosh

I think that there are so many ways that you can get into this industry if this industry is what you want to get into. Otherwise, you could continue putting videos up on the YouTube, on the social media. That is really increasing traction and allowing our voices to be heard. But also not... Don't let other people tell you what your representation should look like. Yep, period. We look very different, but we're making waves and changing the industry from the inside out. And speaking of that, I want to see Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

And yes, I will group us together because, honestly, if I see two people of color as leads, it's a win, you know? Like, a win is a win. So they're grouping us together in a month. Fine. I want to see more Asian American and Pacific Islanders, like, behind the cameras, like, as the showrunners, in the writers, rooms, you know, producer, director, like, gaffer, working on podcasts, like, working on in sound, like, figuring it all out because it's truly about community. Like, people are playing golf on the weekends talking about how they can get their

son's brother, like, son's brother. Anyway, like, random people into the industry, and we don't have that kind of community yet. Yeah. So it's a slow but steady process. And then it's just telling your story as uniquely and authentically as possible. Period. Yeah.

I think too, like just being proud of being Pacific Islander in any fashion. It's a good thing, babe. It's coming back in style if you haven't noticed. I think sticking to it and being proud of it and talking about it a lot is another way that we get each other in the door. Yeah. Because we stick together and we uplift each other. and we put each other in the rooms where necessary and where possible and where we can. Yeah.

Which is what I always try to do. That's why I've always tried to platform Pacific Anders. Some people are like, I've had two someone people already on the show. But some people are like, we need more Pacific Anders. I was like, girl, I'm looking. Let me know if you find any. Let me know if you find any. Elise obviously added now too, thankfully.

But like I need more. I'm looking. I'm constantly looking. So, yeah, I'm just, I'm really grateful that you got to come on the show. I'm grateful we got to talk about representation. But mostly, bitch, I'm grateful for your presence in the industry. You're sweet. I think you open the door.

You should audition for Moana. Period. I mean, let me know. I'll play an inanimate object if that's what it takes. Oh, and I mean this, by the way. I am not playing Moana. I have no ego about it. I love Moana for the fact that she is a dark skin, Polynesian girl with burinky hair, down to her butt, and, like, athletic body type.

And I'm very happy to see that role in a live action sense. Go to someone who looks like that. So if you, like, the casting is open right now. Period. Please do. Please. I highly, highly encourage all my Pacific Islander, Radas and sisters. Yeah.

To apply for the role. Like, go for the role. Like you never know. And other roles. Like, play one is dad. Yeah, every role. But you saw, like, Ali, you talked about how, like, hers came on a coincidence, like a random coincidence. That could very easily be all.

And some people, someone I tweeted about when you had announced that you're stepping into a producer role more so everyone was really happy about that, which is so sick. I'm so happy that you said that publicly, which is so strong and powerful. But when I was, I retweeted it and I was like, basically saying, like, I'll play literally anything. like I'll play a canoe bitch I don't care give me any role any I'll be a background bitch I don't care I don't care I'll collect coconuts I'll give shit I love that yeah I don't I don't have Twitter anymore I didn't know that I didn't know yeah so I talked about that some people were like oh you should play Moana girl I'm like six years older than I'm what do you mean I can play a teenage girl I can't play a teenage girl I look more like

her dad than I do her and that's okay I'll play the dad too listen I'm but I did say that I really want to see that role go to someone else. I really want to see it go to someone. Like, I, again, I can't even sing either on top of that. So I'm not qualified. But I'm so excited to see who it goes to and who comes up next. It's going to be a big, wide open door for all of us to run through, which is like, this is how it starts. We start in these little batches, and we'll work our way up to bigger stuff.

And then I step on the mouse's toes and I go, no. Representation. mean it when you say it Well and that's another thing that we just talked about You being in a producer role It's just as important It's inclusivity in all aspects On all sides of the camera is important

So I'm so happy you got to come today I adore you You're the best I had a great time My local kind girl Not happy Thank you all so much for joining us On this episode of the Comments Action Show

Thank you so much to Al-Lee For being amazing, wonderful Icon living legend Where can everybody find you? My name, which is hard to spell. A-U-L-I-I, last name, C-R-A-V-A-L-H-O. I think I only have Instagram right now. And TikTok.

Yes, and TikTok. Yes. Period. Yeah. I'm so happy to have had you. You're amazing. Thank you. I adore you forever.

Do you have any projects you want to announce? Sure. Mean Girls, the musical, the movie, is coming out soon. And then Haley's On It is a Disney Channel show that is also available on Disney Plus, and it's really fun. Booked and Blast. Period. And make sure you all support Aline.

Everything she does because she is so incredibly talented, but also very important for a presentation, which is huge and the main point of our episode today. Thank you so much to you all for watching. Remember new episodes of the comment section show drop every Wednesday, and make sure you stream it exclusively on Spotify. I'll see you next week. Bye!