Actors
Elisha Applebaum’s Real Ethnicity and Fate: The Winx Saga’s Whitewashing Debate Explained
Netflix is receiving criticism for casting white actress, Elisha Applebaum for a Chinese character, Musa.
Elisha Applebaum is an actress notable for her role as Musa in the teen drama supernatural series Fate: The Winx Saga.
The animated cartoon, Winx Club, aired from 2004 to 2009, served as the basis for Fate: The Winx Saga. Its plot revolves around fairies who attend Alfea, a magical school where they learn how to use their unique abilities.
The cartoon is believed to be the most culturally diverse show of the early 2000s featuring Musa – an Asian, Flora – a Latina, and Aisha – a black girl amongst its main characters.
However, some of these characters’ casting in Fate: The Winx Saga differs from that of the Winx Club, which has since generated fan criticism.
Elisha Applebaum’s ethnicity ignites whitewashing debate?
People’s childhood favorite cartoon, Winx Club, received a live-action remake, Fate: The Winx Saga, made by Netflix, which premiered on January 22, 2021.
Applebum, according to Knight Life, is a part European/Singaporean and part White actress. Because of this, many fans believe Musa has been whitewashed rather than replaced by someone of a different east Asian descent.
Top- Elisha Applebaum as Musa Bottom- Musa from the original Winx Club. (Source: Twitter)
Most fans of the original Winx Club remember that the character of Musa was Chinese and was based on actress Lucy Liu, who is ethnically Chinese and not mixed race.
However, in the live-action, Musa and her culture were not entirely adapted and were removed, which was a crucial element for both the show and its viewers.
Many fans believed that one shouldn’t have to trade one ethnicity for another and that representation should not be a trade-off.
The decision to put a part European/Singaporean and part White actress in the role of a Chinese character is an example of the kind of discrimination that presents itself far too regularly in both entertainment and society, whether as a result of ignorance or malice.
Fans’ reaction to casting in ‘Fate: The Winx Saga’
Many fans worldwide are not satisfied with the castings of the Fate: The Winx Saga as they believe the characters were whitewashed.
One of the series’ main characters, Musa, was played by a White actress rather than just swapped for a person of a different East Asian origin from where Musa is actually from.
A thread is going on on Twitter where fans of the Winx Club can be seen pouring their opinions about being dissatisfied with the casting.
One of the fans wrote, “the fact that netflix hired two WHITE women to play the role of two characters of color is absolutely disgusting and disrespectful.”
Another tweet read, “If Fate: The Winx Saga can improve its writing, fix the whitewashing, and have a more diverse crew, I think I’ll be fine with Winx Club catering towards little kids.”
The third tweet read, “Honestly hoping that the second season of ‘Fate: The Winx Saga’ makes up for all the whitewashing and turning Aisha into the token Black Friend, but the fact that they even did it in the first place doesn’t give much hope.”
Actors
Macaulay Culkin’s Has Seven Siblings — Meet His Brothers and Sisters
Kieran and Macaulay estranged from their father due to his abusive nature.
Macaulay Culkin is an American actor and musician. Recognized as one of the most accomplished child actors in the 1990s, he secured the 2nd position on VH1’s 2005 ranking of the “100 Greatest Kid-Stars.”
He gained fame for his role as Kevin McCallister in the initial two installments of the Home Alone film series (1990 and 1992), earning a nomination for the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.
His other notable film credits include My Girl (1991), The Good Son (1993), The Nutcracker (1993), Getting Even with Dad (1994), The Pagemaster (1994), and Richie Rich (1994).
Likewise, Macaulay has received an MTV Movie Award from three nominations and a Young Artist Award. In December 2023, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Here are some more facts about the 90’s famous child star, his siblings, and other interesting details. Keep reading for more!
Macaulay Culkin has seven siblings
Macaulay’s birth-assigned name was Macaulay Carson Culkin. He was born in New York City on August 26, 1980, to Christopher Cornelius “Kit” Culkin, a former stage actor, and Patricia Brentrup, originally from North Dakota.
Kit and Patricia met in 1974 while Patricia was working as a road traffic controller in Sundance, Wyoming. And after they got married, they moved to Kit’s hometown of New York City. Together, they had seven children, including Macaulay.
Macaulay’s six siblings include Kieran Culkin, Rory Culkin, Quinn Culkin, Christian Culkin, Shane Culkin, and the late Dakota Culkin. Each of his siblings has made notable contributions in creative fields.
Apart from his seven children with Patricia, Macaulay’s biological father had a daughter named Jennifer Adamson from a previous relationship. Unfortunately, Jennifer passed away in the year 2000.
During Macaulay’s early years, the Culkin family lived in a modest apartment in Manhattan’s Yorkville neighborhood and faced financial challenges. Macaulay’s mother worked as a telephone operator, while his father served as a sacristan at a local Catholic church.
An old picture of the seven Culkin siblings, with the highlighted arrow on Macaulay’s late sister Dakota (Photo: Twitter)
Macaulay was brought up in the Roman Catholic faith and attended St. Joseph’s School of Yorkville for five years before transferring to the Professional Children’s School.
Macaulay Culkin’s siblings have also appeared in several movies and TV shows
Shane, born in 1976, is the eldest child of Kit and Patricia. In 1988, he played Wally Webb in a production of Our Town at Lincoln Center Theater alongside notable actors such as Eric Stoltz, Spalding Gray, Frances Conroy, and Penelope Ann Miller.
The play, which also aired on television, showcased Shane’s early involvement in the performing arts.
Dakota, born in 1978 and known as Cody, worked as an art production assistant on the 2009 supernatural thriller Lost Soul. Tragically, Dakota passed away in 2008 at the age of 30 after being struck by a car while crossing a street in California.
Kieran, in a 2021 interview, remembered his late sister as funny with a dark sense of humor and spoke about the devastating impact her death had on the Culkin siblings. Macaulay honored his late sister by naming his firstborn child Dakota in 2021.
Macaulay’s son, Dakota, made a rare appearance at the actor’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony on December 1.
Kieran, Macaulay’s younger brother, started his Hollywood career with a small part in Home Alone in 1990. He gained critical acclaim for roles in The Mighty (1998) and Igby Goes Down (2002).
Kieran currently stars in the HBO series Succession and has earned multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nominations. As for Kieran’s family life, he shares two children with his wife, Jazz Charton.
Macaulay’s sister Quinn, born in 1984, made a brief appearance in Home Alone and voiced a character in the animated series Wish Kid (1991). She emphasized the individuality of the Culkin siblings, stating that, despite physical resemblances, they are all very different.
Likewise, Macaulay’s brother Christian, born in 1987, briefly ventured into acting, appearing in the 1994 film My Summer Story alongside Kieran.
Rory, the youngest Culkin born in 1989, followed his brothers into acting, starting with roles in their movies. He gained recognition for his performance in You Can Count on Me (2000) and has since appeared in various films and TV shows.
In May 2010, he joined the cast of the slasher film Scream 4, which premiered on April 15, 2011. He also took on the role of Euronymous in the biographical film Lords of Chaos, depicting the events of the Norwegian black metal scene and the band Mayhem.
In 2014, Rory received acclaim for his performance as the titular character in Gabriel. His portrayal earned commendation from critics, leading to a nomination for the Gotham Independent Film Award for Breakthrough Actor. In 2023, he made a guest appearance in Amazon Prime Video’s Swarm.
Macaulay Culkin and his brothers were estranged from their father
Macaulay, having achieved fame at an incredibly young age, now considers himself retired and engages in various pursuits based on his interests at any given time, as per multiple sources.
In a 2018 interview on comedian Marc Maron’s WTF podcast, the Culkin brothers, Macaulay and Kieran, opened up about their experiences, revealing insights into the impact of people such as John Candy, John Hughes, Michael Jackson, and his father, Kit.
Both Macaulay and Kieran have openly discussed their estrangement from their father, citing different reasons for their strained relationships with him.
Macaulay Culkin with a picture of his younger self (Source: Instagram)
During the interview, Macaulay described his father as “abusive’ and “jealous” of his acting career, explaining that his father had aspirations in the same field but did not experience the same level of success.
“My father was jealous of me. Everything he tried to do in life, I excelled at before I was 10 years old,” Macaulay stated. He asserted that his father forced him to host Saturday Night Live at the age of 11 without using cue cards.
On the other hand, Kieran, during his own “WTF” interview in 2020, mentioned a different issue with his father – poor hygiene. Kieran explained that his father was the kind of person who, if told he stank, would respond with, “I smell human.”
Kieran went on to emphasize that his father’s bathing habits were infrequent, stating that Kit would only take a bath maybe once a year. These public statements shed light on the complex family dynamics and challenges that the Culkin siblings have faced with their father.
Actors
Manon Bresch’s Biography — The Actress Remains Mum about Her Parents and Siblings
Manon Bresch has kept her personal life away from public.
Manon Bresch is a rising French-Cameroonian actress who went to the prestigious drama school Cours Florent in Paris, where she honed her acting skills for twelve years.
In 2012, she stepped into the acting world with a small but notable role in Les Papas du dimanche, marking the beginning of her acting career.
Bresch’s breakthrough on television came in 2015 when she joined the cast of the popular TV series Clem as Yasmine. In the same year, she took on the role of Thérèse Marci in the long-running soap opera Plus belle la vie.
In 2017, Bresch diversified her roles as she played Charlotte Castillon, a young jogger whose life takes a tragic turn in the TV film Noir enigma. The following year, she appeared in series like Des jours meilleurs and Watch Me Burn.
In 2019, the actress appeared as Luisa Manjimbe in the supernatural murder-mystery TV series Mortel, where she played a student endowed with voodoo abilities. The same year, she also graced the screen in Baron Noir as Lucie.
Not limited to television, she also made significant contributions to the film industry, featuring in movies such as We Are Family and I’m Going Out for Cigarettes. In 2020, she portrayed Sirley, a troublesome student from French Guiana, in Maledetta primavera.
Looking ahead, in 2023, Bresch is set to appear in A Place to Fight For as Fred and in Voleuses as Sam.
Meet Manon Bresch’s parents and siblings
Bresch, the actress born on January 4, 1998, in the heart of Paris, has veiled the details of her family background, particularly when it comes to her parents.
Despite being a public figure, she has chosen to shield the identity of her father and mother from the public. That being said, it wasn’t until November 8, 2018, that a rare glimpse into her family life surfaced when she shared a throwback picture.
Manon Bresch alongside a woman, presumably her mother or her aunt. (Source: Instagram)
The image featured a younger Bresch alongside a woman, presumably her mother or perhaps an aunt, and captioned with a single word, ‘Comportement,’ accompanied by a black heart emoji.
While her relationship with her mother, or the woman in the photograph, remains a subject of curiosity, Bresch has ancestral ties to Cameroon. The actress has seized opportunities to connect with her roots by going on vacations and exploration trips to the African nation.
Bresch has also successfully kept the details about her siblings private. She hasn’t even revealed if she has any brothers or sisters or if she is her parent’s only child.
Is Manon Bresch dating someone?
Bresch has managed to keep the details of her romantic life tightly under wraps. Despite being a famous personality, she has chosen to maintain privacy when it comes to her relationship status, leaving fans in the dark.
A peek into her Instagram profile offers a glimpse into a potential connection with Laurent Kérusoré, as evidenced by a portrait picture shared on March 30, 2017.
Manon Bresch alongside her potential boyfriend Laurent Kérusoré. (Source: Instagram)
The photo showed the two were hugging each other, and the caption simply read, “Off.” The post sparked dating speculation, with fans expressing adoration for the two. A fan commented, ‘So cute!!!!,’ while another expressed, ‘Rhoooo my tickets.’
However, since then, Bresch has not shared any additional pictures with Kérusoré, leaving the status of their relationship ambiguous.
Furthermore, the actress appears to be channeling her focus predominantly towards advancing her career in acting rather than prioritizing her romantic life.
Manon Bresch’s height and weight
Despite Bresch’s rise to fame and recognition in the entertainment industry, the specifics of her physical measurements have been unknown.
While the actress herself has not publicly disclosed her exact height and weight, various reports have emerged alleging Bresch stands at a modest height of 5 feet 1 inch (1.55 meters). Additionally, reports suggested that she weighs around 56 kg (123 lbs).
Beyond her physical attributes, Bresch is known for her linguistic versatility, as she fluently speaks French and English and possesses some proficiency in Spanish.
In addition to her linguistic talents, Bresch has committed to a healthy and active lifestyle as she engages in various physical activities. She is reported to practice judo, tennis, and contemporary dance.
Actors
Brenda Song’s Net Worth — Journey from an Immigrant Child to Disney Star
Brenda Song has been acting since she was only 6 years old.
Brenda Song has had a successful career in the entertainment industry, particularly in television and film. She started her journey in the entertainment world as a child model at the age of six.
Her screen debut occurred with a guest appearance on the sitcom Thunder Alley in 1995. Following that, she took on various roles in children’s television series, including the 1999 Nickelodeon series 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd.
Song gained recognition for her performance in the Disney Channel original film The Ultimate Christmas Present in 2000, which earned her a Young Artist Award. Afterward.
Song’s diverse roles and contributions to both children’s and teen entertainment have solidified her status as a well-known and respected actress in the industry. After being in the industry since six, here is what her net worth looks like. Read along for more details!
How much is Brenda Song’s net worth?
Song’s wealth is approximately $8 million, as reported by Celebrity Net Worth. Before gaining fame for her role in Scandal, she initially entered the entertainment industry through national commercials for brands such as Little Caesars Pizza and Barbie during her elementary school years.
Reflecting on her humble beginnings, the former child actress shared with W Magazine that her family faced financial difficulties, with her mother still in school and her father pursuing a career in education.
To enroll her in acting classes, her grandmother sacrificed her savings of $523, a decision that ultimately led to Song securing representation by an agent. Now, she is one of many richest celebrities in Hollywood, having a net worth in the millions.
“We were very, very poor. We had no money. My mom was still in school, my dad was in college to be a schoolteacher. We got all the info and my mom was like, ‘Okay, great…’ but that was all I could talk about forever,” she shared with the aforementioned source.
“About a month later I got really, really sick and I wouldn’t take my Robitussin. My mom was like, okay fine if you take your Robitussin, we’ll take you to this acting school. I took it, and my grandma was like, ‘We have to take her,'” she added.
“But my mom was like, ‘No, we don’t. She’s a child, she’s not going to remember this.’ I wouldn’t stop bugging them. So my grandma took everything out of her savings, which was $523, and took me to this acting school that was not legit at all, but through them I met a real agent and started auditioning.”
Song concluded her statement by mentioning that her parents had no idea what the entertainment industry was, as they were immigrants/refugees. Thankfully, her immigrant parents supported her decision, which ultimately led her to become a big star in Hollywood.
Brenda Song’s early career explored
Song entered the entertainment industry as a child fashion model in San Francisco after being discovered by a modeling school agent at a shopping mall. Her acting journey began at the age of five or six, featuring in commercials for Little Caesars Pizza and Barbie.
Song’s film debut was in the 1995 AFI student short film Requiem, directed by Elizabeth Sung, where she portrayed a young version of the character Fong. She continued to gain recognition with roles in projects like Santa with Muscles (1996) and the Nickelodeon series 100 Deeds for Eddie McDowd (1999), among others.
In 2000, Song won a Young Artist Award for her role in the Disney Channel Original Movie The Ultimate Christmas Present. She signed a contract with Disney in 2002, appearing in projects such as Get a Clue.
Brenda Song during a photoshoot (Source: Instagram)
Additionally, she made guest appearances in other Disney sitcoms, including That’s So Raven. Furthermore, she had a recurring role as Tia in the Disney Channel series Phil of the Future.
Brenda Song’s breakthrough as an actress
Song’s breakthrough came in 2005 when she took on the role of London Tipton in the Disney Channel series The Suite Life of Zack & Cody. The success of the show led to her reprising the character in the spin-off The Suite Life on Deck.
During this time, she also starred in the 2006 Disney Channel original movie Wendy Wu: Homecoming Warrior, showcasing her martial arts skills. Song’s contributions to Disney earned her several nominations and awards, including an Asian Excellence Award for “Outstanding Newcomer.”
In 2018, Song starred in the Netflix psychological thriller Secret Obsession. She continued to make strides in her career with roles in Station 19 (2018), The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder (2022), and the Amazon Freevee original movie Love Accidentally (2022).
Additionally, she lent her voice to the Disney animation series Amphibia (2019-2022) and appeared in the horror game The Quarry (2022).
Brenda Song comes from a family of Thai immigrants
Song was born on March 27, 1988, in Carmichael, California, a suburb of Sacramento, to a Thai mother and a Thai Hmong father. Her paternal grandparents, originally from the Xiong clan, changed their last name to Song upon arriving in the United States.
Her father works as a schoolteacher, and her mother is a homemaker. She has two younger brothers, Timmy and Nathan. At the age of six, she and her mother moved to Los Angeles to support her burgeoning acting career, with the rest of the family joining them two years later.
Despite initially wanting to pursue ballet, the actress took up taekwondo along with her younger brother. Overcoming initial reluctance, she now holds a black belt in taekwondo. She was named an All-American Scholar in the ninth grade.
Song completed her high school diploma at the age of 16 through homeschooling. Subsequently, she attended a community college before graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2009, majoring in psychology and minoring in business.
From 2010 to 2017, Song was in an on-and-off relationship with musician Trace Cyrus, to whom she was engaged from 2011 to 2012. In 2017, she revealed a relationship with actor Macaulay Culkin, with whom she has two sons, born in April 2021 and December 2022.
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