Kristina Wong Biography

Kristina Wong is an American born artist known primarily for her work as a solo theater performer, artist and actor. Wong is a third generation Chinese American born in San Francisco and living in Los Angeles.

In 2006, Wong received support from the Creative Capital Foundation and the National Performance Network to create "Wong Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest." The show explores the high rates of depression and suicide among Asian American women. It has toured nationally.

Wong is also a guest contributor to Playgirl Magazine.

Wong graduated from UCLA with double degrees in English and World Arts and Cultures with a minor in Asian American Studies. On June 15, 2008, Wong was the commencement speaker at her alma mater, UCLA English Department.

Wong has also appeared on Totally Biased with W. Kamau Bell on FX to discuss an article she wrote on XoJane entitled "9 Wack Things White Guys Say to Deny Their Asian Fetish" and her obsession with professional NBA player Jeremy Lin.

Wong has also written articles on XoJane including "9 Wack Things White Guys Say to Deny Their Asian Fetish," "10 More Wack Things People Say After You Write an Essay About Wack Things White Guys Say to Deny Their Asian Fetish," "8 Reasons People of Color Must Rally for 'White History Month'," and more.

Distinctions and Honors

Visual Communications "Armed With A Camera" Fellowship for Emerging Media Artists

Artist-in-Residence Award (City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs)

Center for Cultural Innovation Planning and Marketing Grant

Creation Fund from the National Performance Network

Creative Capital Award in Theater

Davis-Putter O'Connor Scholar Award

Durfee Artist Resource for Completion Grant

Rosenthal PEN USA Emerging Voices Fellowship

Feud with James Franco

Following actor James Franco's internationally derided co-hosting of the 83rd Academy Awards, Kristina published a personal blog account revealing how, when her alma mater UCLA invited her to give the commencement speech at the English Department graduation in April 2008, James Franco, himself graduating with that class, derided her speech in front of her and the chair of the UCLA English Department following the commencement exercises. Her blog post was quickly picked up by multiple culture and celebrity sites, including being republished in its entirety on Jezebel.