How Jimmy O. Yang relived his Crazy Rich Asians memories

For American comedian and actor Jimmy O. Yang, the set of hit romantic comedy film Crazy Rich Asians (2018) felt like a superhero team assembling for the first time.

- John Lui Senior Film Correspondent

“Shooting that movie was like the Asian Avengers coming together, man. And we're all still best friends,’ the 38-year-old recounts.

After the movie helmed by American director Jon M. Chu became a smash, members of its ensemble cast - like Yang in the supporting role as out-of-control playboy Bernard Tai — were put in the global spotlight.

They included Constance Wu, Awkwafina and Ken Jeong from the United States, English actors Henry Golding and Gemma Chan, Malaysian Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh and Singaporean stars Pierre Png, Fiona Xie and Tan Kheng Hua.

Speaking to The Straits Times in a telephone interview from Sydney, Australia, on Nov 27, Yang says the entire cast still maintains a WhatsApp chat group, engaged in one another's lives across continents and time zones.

“There’s like 120 of us in it, and it’s still a very active group,” he says.

During his ongoing Big & Tall Tour stop in Singapore - where he staged two sold-out stand-up comedy shows at The Star Theatre on Nov 24 and 25 — he reunited with Singaporean castmates such as actresses Selena Tan and Janice Koh.

The meeting took Yang back to the city where his breakout film was shot eight years ago.

“It was my first time back since,” he noted. “I can’t believe it’s been that long. Singapore is such a special place because me and my mum visited when I was 10.”