Latest news with #WiedenKennedy
Forbes
22-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Exclusive: Sandra Oh And Sean Wang Leads TAAF's Latest PSA Campaign
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)'s "Asian+American" Campaign The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), a nonprofit organization focused on serving Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities, has unveiled its 'Asian+American' campaign to encourage Asian Americans to celebrate the complexity and beauty of their dual identities. In partnership with global creative agency Wieden+Kennedy New York, TAAF launched a national PSA initiative, directed by Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Sean Wang and narrated by Emmy Award-winning actress Sandra Oh, to kick-start the campaign. Powerful portraits and images will be displayed across billboards, digital platforms, social media, and out-of-home locations. According to TAAF's 2025 STAATUS Index, the leading national study of Americans' perceptions of AANHPIs, just 20% of Asian Americans ages 16-24 and 23% overall felt fully accepted for their racial identity. There are these ideas of feeling 'too Asian' or 'not Asian enough,' and torn between choosing one identity, culture, language, and names over the other to fit in. TAAF hopes the campaign will spark a sense of pride in being both Asian and American, especially among the younger generations. 'For too long, Asian Americans have been made to feel like we must shrink, code-switch, or choose between identities just to be seen as American enough,' said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF, in a press statement. 'At TAAF, we are focused on building a future where our community can thrive in safety, prosperity, and true belonging—free from discrimination, slander, and violence. Belonging begins with being seen and heard, and we hope this campaign sparks the kind of honest conversations that help us own, and celebrate, every part of who we are. Directed by Wang, the campaign's PSA, a 60-second short film called Beyond, Together, explores this pressure to choose between these two identities and 'offers an intimate look at Asian American individuals embracing their full selves without limits or compromises.' The Park Pictures director has touched on his Asian American identity in his Sundance darling feature, Dìdi. So, developing the short film was not a stretch for him. 'My own Asian American identity and sense of belonging are things I've attempted to define for myself through my work,' said Wang, who also participated in the inaugural Sundance Institute | TAAF Fellowship 2022 cohort. 'Through those experiences, I've connected with so many others who share the unique challenges of navigating multiple cultural identities.' Oh, who had shared her experiences of systematic racism in Hollywood, is honored to lend her voice yet again for TAAF's project. She had previously worked with them on the 2022 TAAF-supported PBS documentary, Rising Against Asian Hate: One Day In March. 'Lending my voice on a message so close to my heart—one that represents my community—has tremendous meaning for me,' said Oh. 'Working with TAAF to highlight the intersectionality of our identities and cultures has been a project made out of love by everyone who has touched it. I'm so honored to be part of giving this message to the AAPI community and with the world.' The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)'s "Asian+American" Campaign There has been an increased presence in AANHPI representation in all industries and on social media, with many reconnecting with their heritage, proudly speaking their languages, celebrating their foods and culture, and reclaiming their Asian names. Yet, they're often only celebrated nationally during May for Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. TAAF invites the public to celebrate their pride all year round by sharing their 'Asian+American' story and celebrating their declaration of being and belonging to both. Using the #AsianPlusAmerican (and tag @TAAForg), the campaign aims to amplify the diverse voices, experiences, and identities that shape the Asian American community and show the world what it truly means to be both. To learn more about TAAF's 'Asian+American' campaign, visit
Daily Mail
16-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Newly-engaged AJ Odudu flaunts her jaw-dropping figure in a TINY yellow bikini before cosying up to hunky fiancé Peter Gibson amid loved-up US getaway
Newly-engaged AJ Odudu looked happier than ever amid her 'romance tour' of the US with fiancé Peter Gibson this week. The Celebrity Big Brother host, 37, took to her Instagram with a slew of snaps after MailOnline exclusively revealed her partner was the Idaho born art director. AJ flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a tiny yellow bikini as she posed up a storm during the couple's beach day, before slipping into a plunging brown gown which she wore with her huge diamond engagement ring for a romantic boat trip. Peter, who refrains from showing his face on social media, captained the vessel while the stunner wrapped her arms around him. While in Seattle the lovebirds also attended a Mariners baseball game and sipped on beer with AJ opting for a pair of skimpy leather hot pants. She captioned the post: 'The romance tour'. Peter popped the question last month and AJ's engagement ring is reportedly worth an estimated £14,500 according to The Sun's expert. Zack Stone, from UK retailer Steven Stone, told the publication: 'At its heart is a 1.5-carat cushion-cut diamond, known for its romantic, pillow-like shape and vintage charm. Last month AJ announced she was engaged to a mystery man after sharing images of her diamond ring and the couple together, captioning the loved-up post: 'Hiya love.' Pete, who was pictured backstage with AJ as she filmed Celebrity Big Brother this year, currently works at brand agency Wieden + Kennedy, who also have offices in London and Mexico as well as the Big Apple. Pete, who's previously worked as a graphic designer for Apple and an art director at Hypebeast, as they start to plan their nuptials. It's believed the former Strictly star has been taking secret trips to New York to spend quality time with Pete, but the couple agrees that for the long-term, it makes sense for them to be London based. A source revealed: 'AJ prefers her romantic relationships to be private but when it came to her engagement, she was so happy and excited, she wanted to share the news with her followers. 'Pete, living in New York, worked out perfectly for AJ because they were able to date and get to know each other away from prying eyes plus he doesn't regularly use social media. 'He's now planning a move to the UK so that he and AJ can live together and properly set themselves up for the future. 'With many strings to his bow as an art director and creator, it made more sense for Pete to relocate, especially given AJ's career has taken off to new heights in the UK. 'They're both so happy and can't wait to make their relationship official by getting married.' The announcement of AJ's engagement came out of the blue because her fanbase were unaware she had a boyfriend. But AJ has been posting about Pete for years, as he attended group work out sessions with her and accompanied the star behind the scenes as she presented Celebrity Big Brother in April. Although, AJ, who also presented The Big Breakfast reboot and Channel 4's The Bridge, keeps her love life under wraps, she was previously linked to her former Strictly pro partner, Kai Widdrington. MailOnline has contacted AJ's representative for comment. AJ competed with Kai on the 2021 series of Strictly but was forced to quit the competition just days before the final after suffering from an injury. She was one of the frontrunners to win the show but after tearing a ligament in her right ankle, had to withdraw from the final, leaving Rose Ayling-Ellis to triumph. At the time AJ said she was 'deeply upset' that she was unable to perform. Proving her love for dance remains, AJ shared a video of her being twirled by Pete on Instagram this week alongside a thread of happy family pictures following a celebration of the pair's engagement. AJ also posted another intimate black and white snap of the couple as she laughed in Pete's arms while in the past 24 hours, she added an Instagram story showcasing her diamond ring over breakfast.
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE AJ Odudu's secret fiancé is revealed as American art director - and they are planning a big move
AJ Odudu 's secret fiancé is an American art director who's planning a move to the UK, MailOnline can reveal. The Big Brother presenter, 37, announced she was engaged to a mystery man after sharing images of her diamond ring and the couple together, captioning the loved-up post: 'Hiya love.' Their relationship had been kept under wraps for years but now MailOnline can reveal AJ's boyfriend is Peter Gibson, a creative, originally from Idaho but currently living in New York, and the pair are planning to settle down together in the UK. Pete, who was pictured backstage with AJ as she filmed Celebrity Big Brother this year, currently works at brand agency Wieden + Kennedy, who also have offices in London and Mexico as well as the Big Apple. The TV host is currently in Seattle with Pete, who's previously worked as a graphic designer for Apple and an art director at Hypebeast, as they start to plan their nuptials. It's believed the former Strictly star has been taking secret trips to New York to spend quality time with Pete, but the couple agrees that for the long-term, it makes sense for them to be London based. A source revealed: 'AJ prefers her romantic relationships to be private but when it came to her engagement, she was so happy and excited, she wanted to share the news with her followers. 'Pete, living in New York, worked out perfectly for AJ because they were able to date and get to know each other away from prying eyes plus he doesn't regularly use social media. 'He's now planning a move to the UK so that he and AJ can live together and properly set themselves up for the future. 'With many strings to his bow as an art director and creator, it made more sense for Pete to relocate, especially given AJ's career has taken off to new heights in the UK. 'They're both so happy and can't wait to make their relationship official by getting married.' The announcement of AJ's engagement came out of the blue because her fanbase were unaware she had a boyfriend. But AJ has been posting about Pete for years, as he attended group work out sessions with her and accompanied the star behind the scenes as she presented Celebrity Big Brother in April. Although, AJ, who also presented The Big Breakfast reboot and Channel 4's The Bridge, keeps her love life under wraps, she was previously linked to her former Strictly pro partner, Kai Widdrington. MailOnline has contacted AJ's representative for comment. AJ competed with Kai on the 2021 series of Strictly but was forced to quit the competition just days before the final after suffering from an injury. She was one of the frontrunners to win the show but after tearing a ligament in her right ankle, had to withdraw from the final, leaving Rose Ayling-Ellis to triumph. At the time AJ said she was 'deeply upset' that she was unable to perform. Proving her love for dance remains, AJ shared a video of her being twirled by Pete on Instagram this week alongside a thread of happy family pictures following a celebration of the pair's engagement. AJ also posted another intimate black and white snap of the couple as she laughed in Pete's arms while in the past 24 hours, she added an Instagram story showcasing her diamond ring over breakfast.
