Main image via Hollywood Life
One of the most emotional moments in Crazy Rich Asian almost got cut out of the final edit… until Coldplay read a letter by the director, Jon M Chu.
In one of the final scenes of the film, a Mandarin cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow”, sung by former The Voice contestant, Chinese–American singer Katherine Ho, is played as the soundtrack.
But the song almost didn’t make the cut. In an interview, Chu said that both Warner Bros and Coldplay were worried that the song would be associated with the racial slur used against Asian people, even though the song isn’t actually about race.
According to Chu, “They were like, ‘Whoa, we can’t do that, what do you think people will say?’” to which he replied, “Well, a white director couldn’t do it.” “I wanted to take hit American songs and make them Chinese, to give audiences a sense of how we feel as Asian Americans," he added. "That crazy blend of identities and cultures that make up who we are. It felt to me like a critical part of what we were trying to do.”
Apparently, after much convincing, the studio finally gave them the greenlight to use the song, but Coldplay reportedly rejected Chu’s request anyway. We don’t blame Coldplay to want to be more careful. After all, they’ve been accused of cultural appropriation in the past—once for the 2012 music video featuring Rihanna in “Princess of China” and again in their collab with Beyonce for “Hymn for the Weekend”.
Chu was still determined to use the Grammy-nominated song though, so he wrote a personal letter to Coldplay’s band members. And guys, the letter will make your heart full and bring tears to your eyes.
In the letter, Chu talks about his complicated relationship with the colour yellow, and how it always had a negative connotation attached to it—that is, until he heard Coldplay’s song. "For the first time in my life, it described the colour in the most beautiful, magical ways I had ever heard: the colour of the stars, her skin, her love. It was an incredible image of attraction and aspiration that it made me rethink my own self-image."
Image via Holliwood Life
THR reported that Coldplay changed their minds within 24 hours of receiving Chu’s letter.
Here’s the letter in full. Heads up, there are spoilers contained in the letter:
Dear Chris, Guy, Jonny and Will,
I know it’s a bit strange, but my whole life I’ve had a complicated relationship with the color yellow. From being called the word in a derogatory way throughout grade school, to watching movies where they called cowardly people yellow, it’s always had a negative connotation in my life. That is, until I heard your song.
For the first time in my life, it described the color in the most beautiful, magical ways I had ever heard: the color of the stars, her skin, her love. It was an incredible image of attraction and aspiration that it made me rethink my own self image.
I remember seeing the music video in college for the first time time on TRL. The one shot with the sun rising was breathtaking for both my filmmaker and music-loving side. It immediately became an anthem for me and my friends and gave us a new sense of pride we never felt before…(even though it probably wasn’t ever your intention). We could reclaim the color for ourselves and it has stuck with me for the majority of my life.
So the reason I am writing this now, is because I am directing a film for Warner Bros. called Crazy Rich Asians (based on the best selling novel) and it is the first ALL-ASIAN cast for a Hollywood studio film in 25 years. Crazy. We were recently featured on the cover of Entertainment Weekly to commemorate the fact.
The story is a romantic comedy about a young Asian-American women (played by Constance Wu) from New York coming to terms with her cultural identity while she’s visiting her boyfriend’s mother (played by Michelle Yeoh) in Singapore. It’s a lavish, fun, romantic romp but underneath it all, there’s an intimate story of a girl becoming a woman. Learning that she’s good enough and deserves the world, no matter what she’s been taught or how she’s been treated, and ultimately that she can be proud of her mixed heritage.
The last scene of the movie shows this realisation as she heads to the airport to return home a different woman. It’s an empowering, emotional march and needs an anthem that lives up and beyond her inner triumph, which is where “Yellow” comes in.
It would be such an honour to to use your song that gave me so much strength throughout the years, to underscore this final part of our film. And for me personally, it would complete a journey that I’ve been going through, fighting to make it in the movie business.
I know as an artist it’s always difficult to decide when it’s ok to attach your art to someone else’s — and I am sure in most instances you are inclined to say no. However, I do believe this project is special. I do believe this is a unique situation in which the first Hollywood studio film, with an All-Asian cast is not playing stereotypes or side-players, but romantic and comedic leads. It will give a whole generation of Asian-Americans, and others, the same sense of pride I got when I heard your song. I know it’s recontextualized but I think that’s what makes it powerful. I want all of them to have an anthem that makes them feel as beautiful as your words and melody made me feel when I needed it most.
Your consideration would mean so much to me and our project.
I can show you the movie if you want to see the context, or talk to you if you have any questions. Thank you for taking the time to listen.
Much love,
Jon M. Chu
Info via Mashable