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HOUSTON, June 12, 2024 — Capping off a festive Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Asia Society Texas welcomed bestselling author Kevin Kwan back to his hometown for a sold-out author talk to celebrate the release of his new book Lies and Weddings. While commonly associated with tales of crazy rich Asians from around the world, Kwan moved from Singapore to Clear Lake, Texas, at age 11 and attended the University of Houston–Clear Lake before moving to New York.

Kwan was introduced by AST board member Janae Tsai, who noted that Lies and Weddings was set to debut on the New York Times Best Seller list, and by Susan Annoura, who attended Clear Lake High School with Kwan and shared stories (and yearbook photos!) from his formative years growing up in the greater Houston area. A highlight reel of Crazy Rich Asians fans from the film's director John Chu welcomed Kwan to the stage.

Kwan spoke about the success of Crazy Rich Asians, his experiences in Hollywood, and the breakthroughs and persistent challenges regarding Asian representation in the entertainment industry. He shared some insight into the writing of his new book and his writing process, which he described as patient and methodical — to the chagrin of those who would like him to release more books. He also reminisced about Houston, including his favorite foods and restaurants, and spoke about the teachers who encouraged him to become a writer while he grew up in the area.

The conversation was moderated by Cornelia Guest, an actor, decorated equestrian, philanthropist, fashion designer, author, and a dear friend of Kwan's who appears as a character in Lies and Weddings.

Following the talk, guests joined a special Champagne and Sushi Social sponsored by Donna Fujimoto Cole. Special support for the event was provided by lead sponsor Nancy C. Allen.

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About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.