Looking past their reflections, these stars trooped to the Mulan red carpet, appropriately wowing us with unabashed and unapologetic Asian excellence.
There have been a lot of event cancellations this week, but Disney’s Mulan premiered as planned on Monday evening in Los Angeles, California. And despite a disease that had us reaching for that travel-sized alcohol and applying hand sanitizer much more often, the star-studded blacktie viewing party looked no different from any Hollywood premiere. The biggest personalities wore deep silhouettes and shining gold trains evoking a ‘warriors after dark’ vibe for the red carpet.
While there was no Mushu or soaring musical numbers, this was an exquisite display of Asian excellence befitting the retelling of the beloved tale of female empowerment.
Liu Yifei
Mulan herself, Liu Yifei, wore a shimmering princess-worthy gown from Ellie Saab’s Fall 2019 collection with a rising phoenix motif, rendered in gold embroidery and sequins. It is said that Yifei was chosen out of 1000 actresses that auditioned for the titular role. While the 32-year-old actress is already well-known in Asia, for better and for worse, Mulan is her first major role in a U.S. based film.
Ming-na Wen
Ming-na Wen, the voice of Mulan in the 1998 animation film also graced the premiere with a fairytale-like, strapless Mark Zunino dress.
Lana Condor
The two Mulans really did see their true reflections through, but they were joined with other stars that really invaded the red carpet. Among them is To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before star Lana Condor, wearing a gold-accented Antonio Berardi jumpsuit.
Bretman Rock
We all know who this is. Bretman (Da Baddest) Rock strutted down the red carpet with a chinese-themed jumpsuit by Charlie Brianna with Zana Bayne’s leather straps. Now, who really is that Youtuber we see?
Patrick Starr
For one who truly embraces his asian heritage, makeup guru, Patrick Starr surely didn’t miss the film’s premiere. The fabulous Starr wore an OLIMA custom silk taffeta dress with his iconic headdress. Don’t worry, he didn’t block anyone’s view at the screening as he sat at the end of the first section, giving his head a sense of respite with the wall.
Manila Luzon
To complete the queer Asian-blooded invasion, double all star, Manila Luzon, also sashayed on the premiere in Los Angeles. Wearing a deep purple, velvet cocktail dress topped with a jacket in the same fabric, the drag queen was a sight to behold, looking every inch the royal that she is.
Alui’i Cravalho
Alui’i Cravalho, the voice behind another Disney Princess, Moana, , also walked on the red carpet wearing a strapless red dress from ARZI & OSTA Spring-Summer 2019 collection.
Christina Aguilera
The legendary Christina Aguilera strutted in the premiere with a custom pink and red ensemble long dress by Galia Lahav. Xtina is part of the movie’s soundtrack singing Loyal Brave True, which she dropped a week before the world premiere.
