By ASTERIOS KOKKINOS

Plenty of digital ink has been spent discussing the “whitewashed” casting of Emma Stone as junior fighter pilot Allison Ng in Cameron Crowe’s film Aloha (2015). Groups like The Media Action Network for Asian Americans have rightfully raised the question: was it truly impossible to find a proper mixed-race actor to fill the role?

Well, I’m here to tell you: it wasn’t. I’m an actor who’s a real-life Allison Ng: I’m half-white, a quarter-Chinese, and a quarter-Islander. And I wasn’t even asked to audition.

I’m no stranger to Hollywood. I’ve been on national television. I starred in a global advertising campaign. I’ve even been on the front page of The Huffington Post. So why didn’t I get a phone call?

I know what you’re thinking: maybe Emma’s simply better looking. Well, here’s her headshot and my headshot, side by side.