Alessandra is reading…

Making a Scene by Constance Wu – Review and Thoughts

“I am more than what you’re giving me.”

Constance Wu, Making a Scene

Before even finishing the first chapter, I could tell that this was a different celebrity memoir. (Not that I’ve read a ton – 4, if you count David Goggins, Cameron Hanes, and Mat Best as “celebrities”). Constance Wu speaks powerfully, with words of wisdom intelligence, and strength.

Constance Wu’s autobiography is told in separate essays of stories and thoughts, instead of going in her life’s chronological order. I loved that – she keeps unwrapping her life, peeling away complicated layers that you wouldn’t have known were there. Unpacking it all step by complicated step. It’s more similar to how you get to know someone, how you’d get to know a new friend or a boyfriend or girlfriend, etc instead of going in the standard autobiographical chronology of her life. 

I found so many mental similarities with Constance Wu – I love her even more, as much as I can like a celebrity. Her relationship with her sister (though my sister’s older), her anxiety, shitty teachers that put a couple students down and made them feel terrible at times, her appreciation for her parents, that need as a young girl to have a boyfriend or have a boy love you. 

“This story is not that unusual or especially traumatic. Everyone gets bullied or hurt in some way during their childhood. Kids can be cruel. It’s a normal part of life. Childhood is a testing ground for what type of person you want to be, and part of that is trying things out, including cruelty, and seeing how that feels. Does it make you feel better? Or worse? Powerful? Or full of regret?”

Making a Scene, re: bullying and mean girl stuff when she was little

But I honestly think she’s more than a celebrity, and she can obviously do more than tv/movie acting. Not to negate acting, but there are definitely some actors who you see in a tv show or movies and you think they’re a good actor but then they can be a terrible person or don’t contribute anything. Aside from her acting career, her writing is truly authentic and warmhearted. 

“That career ethos, that idea to shut down Asian stereotypes, is a reaction to a Hollywood standard that was created by people who do not know us. I got into acting to be creative, not reactive. There will always be people who don’t get it. You don’t make art for them, so why let their ignorant ridicule inform your artistic choices?”

You can feel Constance’s compassion through her essays about her parents and E, and the apology essay. The latter, of which, I hated because I really feel that while it showcases how soft we are becoming, but it didn’t seem necessary. This is similar to comedians. If she thought it was funny and knows other people may not think it’s funny, why does she have to apologize for it? I’m sure there were people who thought it was funny, I thought it was funny just reading about it! It’s something that, just like the show, or like a comedian’s jokes, not everyone is going to like it. So what’s the problem? Giving it a good search for maturity rating, I see 12+ but can’t find the FCC rating. I’m pretty sure the 12 year olds watching the show have seen the word “penis” before. Even though I hated that, I think it’s brave and wonderful Wu is trying to understand others’ plights after what she writes of what she’s been through. She’s clearly here in life for growth, and not just to make money as an actor.

“‘The heat of the tea inside your body will make the heat of the outside seem less severe’”

Nun at the Buddhist monastery Wu lived at for a few weeks

Read on.