“I know we’ve had gay Asian men on TV in the UK, but a gay Asian man in the US on a global show, that hasn’t been done before, and so I don’t just represent Asians for a UK audience, I represent Asians globally at this point, and that’s a lot of pressure for one person.
I don’t think anyone should ever desire to be the first at anything like this because there’s so much pressure on you to be perfect in every way, and that’s so stifling. I’m reminded of that every day. Every time I do something, the press will report on that thing as if I speak for every Asian person, or every gay person, or every brown person, or every immigrant. It’s frustrating, because I don’t, I speak for myself only.
But I do love that I get to represent marginalized communities, because I’m constantly trying to do the most to make sure that I’m representing my communities in the best way.”Queer Eye‘s Tan France talking to Gay Times about being a representative for Asian people the world over.
Related: Queer Eye’s Tan France finds the holes in Pete Davidson’s underwear
andrewl
I think this gentleman may have a slightly overinflated opinion on his importance. Is it just me being overly cynical ?
QueerTruth
Nope. That’s not being cynical. He’s being arrogant and completely unrealistic. “Globally” lol. I’ve never seen the silly show.
@HarryB at imgur-rd.ml
He’s being arrogant and completely unrealistic. – Absolutely
Xzamilloh
Do you, Tan? Do you represent Asians on a global scale? REALLY?
morrit
Get over yourself, Tan. You’re not that important.
SiamSean
My God! The supreme arrogance. George Takei would never say something like this…
SportGuy
LMAO, bye Felicia
theafricanwiththemouth
Honestly, this just seems blown out of proportion. I didn’t even know he was Asian.
As for him representing Asians “globally” No! Just no!!
Yooper
So much for the argument “no Asians” is a racist notation in personals….
Jack Meoff
Is this guy for real? For a start, I didn’t even think he was Asian. Not sure what I thought he was but Asian was it. Has he had work done to change his features?
I think he has also greatly overstated his own significance not to mention the audience base for their lame show.
All he has done is raised the ire of a lot of people to make them like him even less. Hold on to this moment sunshine because it will be fleeting.
jcoberkrom
A legend in his own mind!!!
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
MEMO TO MISS TAN:
You don’t even look Asian…..
Kangol
Let’s not assume all Asians (BILLIONS OF PEOPLE) look the same way.
Remember, the two most populous countries on earth, China and India, are in Asia, and their residents look nothing like each other, though quite a few people in India and Pakistan look like Tan.
QueerTruth
He’s British born from a Pakistani family. I think Asian representation is debatable. But Global Asian representation is purely laughable.
DCguy
Um……Filipino actor Nick Santos stars on a major network show “Superstore” which gets far far far far more ratings than Queer eye.
So……girl get over yourself, it’s nice he’s out there representing, but this is another Rebel Wilson kind of mistake.
spacecadet
What did Rebel Wilson do?
Kangol
Anyone who’s ever been to South Asia or spent any time around people from or who have ancestry from South Asia (Indians, Pakistans, Bangladeshis, Nepalese, etc.) can clearly see that Tan “looks Asian,” i.e., of descent from the Indian subcontinent. Whether he or anyone represents gay Asians globally is another issue altogether. He was probably the least memorable lead on the new Queer Eye, to tell the truth.
dean089
This reminds me of when Sam Smith said he was the first openly gay person to ever win an Oscar. Honey, don’t believe your own hype.