It’s no secret: Asian-Americans have talent.  Hollywood knows it, too, and fans of these celebrities who share part of their cultural identity, upon seeing and hearing that one of their own is making it BIG in the world of entertainment develop a sense of pride for their culture.

Here’s a list of several Asian-Americans to watch out for.

1.  Gina Hiraizumi -  Is there anything this Asian-American actress/model/singer can’t do?  Having been able to carry her own in terms of acting, Gina Hiraizumi has film credits that includes work from Academy Award-winning director, Chris Tashima.  Her next release will be an international feature, by renowned Cambodian director, Sam Lorn.  She has recently released her first single for Japan, “Unmei No Ai,” which stars a celebrity cameo appearance by Jason Scott Lee.  This, coupled with her passion for children’s charities can only mean that her growing fanbase that spans Japan, Hawaii and the Asian-American market in the states are signs that she’s someone to watch out for.

2.  John Cho – Starting off as a print model for Korean magazines, Asian-American actor John Cho quickly gained our attention by his small role in the movie American Pie.  From there he went on to appear in several other movies until he hit his most successful starring role as Harold Lee in the Harold and Kumar films.  He has just finished shooting his role as helmsman Hikaru Sulu in the upcoming Star Trek movie, which should guarantee a greater degree of exposure for this talented young actor.

3.  Vanessa Hudgens – Best known for her roles in the High School musical movies, half-American/half-Filipino actress and singer is proving that she’ll be able to become bigger than her Disney mold.  Having made her big-screen debut 3 years before the High School Musical movies, she now has several film offers and a blossoming music career to look forward to.

4. Maggie Q – A former fashion model, this Hawaii-raised Asian-American actress has a lot of big projects to appear in.  Initially gaining fame in Hong Kong, she has been hand-picked to appear in the last Mission: Impossible movie to big praise.  While in some of her films, she has portrayed the “tough” girl appeal, she has also shown her fans her versatility by appearing in the comedy, Balls of Fury and as Cao Ying, in Three Kingdoms: Resurrection of the Dragon, her first ancient Chinese costume performance.

5.  Cassie – At age nineteen, Cassandra Ventura made a splash debut as a model, represented by Wilhelmina Models.  At age twenty, she has captured several top positions in the musical hit charts because of her song, “Me & U.”  Fresh out of high school, this Asian-American singer/model still has a long way to go.  But looking at her credentials, it’s easy to see the raw potential of greatness.  She is currently working on her sophomore album, to be released February this year.

Don’t be surprised that in the near future, these Asian-American celebrities will be the talk of the Entertainment industry.

If you’re reading this at any time after November 4, then things will have been too late. You’ve already selected a candidate, swung by the voting booths, (or not) and cast your vote.

But if, by some time-traveling miracle, you get to read this before then, well, there’s hope that you’d make the right choice. According to Malcolm Gladwell’s “Blink,” though we tell ourselves deep inside that we are good, unbiased, not-judge-people-by-looks kind of people, looks still factor in big, regardless of platform. We tend to look at the beautiful people and subconsciously think that they’re the smartest, can-do-no-wrong people.

Should this be true, then hopefully the following images won’t jar your decision for the elections. I mean, Halloween costume sales have foretold Presidential elections before in this country (BTW, Obama masks outsold McCain ones, 53-47) so why won’t a few pictures influence your choice?

Angry McCain

These first surfaced earlier this year, also known as “Furious McCain” which perfectly shows the kind of temper fits he goes into. Will we get to see that face in the White House?

Smoking Obama

So Barack Obama used to smoke — at least he quit. We’ve typified Presidents to be pristine to the public, more human when out of view, so does having enough will to quit smoking will his way to the White House?

Palin Winking

Why is Sarah Palin winking at me? When viewed on television, she kinda makes you feel like she’s talking to you secretly, jumpstarting that part in a boy’s mind that makes you think she’ll be right for ANYTHING. Is it right? Or is it sly?

Superman Backs Barack Obama

Not only does this appeal to comic book geeks, it also hits you with a mental barrage of comparison. When looking at it, you can’t help but compare Obama to Superman. (He’s been compared to the messiah, after all) Is it a clever attempt of getting people to associate the qualities of Superman (truth, justice, American way) with Obama?

Zombie McCain

This has to be the most famous image of the 2008 Elections — plus, it’s also been my most frequently attached image in emails I send out to friends, even if my mail doesn’t have anything to do with the elections. Zombies in politics?! They should win automatically, right? Kinda makes you think what will happen, should McCain meet up with leaders of the world and slip accidentally — will he eat their brains?

Let’s not make the Warren Harding error again. Let’s vote for who we think is best fit for the job, then they can make faces! Discuss this and other interesting topics over @ The Jabber.

Satire is, according to Merriam-Webster, “trenchant wit, irony, or sarcasm used to expose and discredit vice or folly.”  All I know is, they bring the truthful funnies.

During election season, the amount of information, either truthful or rumored about a candidate is ripe for a clever wit’s picking.  There are tons out there proliferating impersonations and delivering facts in a manner that mirrors the candidate, only humorously.  There are, however, others, who take that truth and add some spice to it.

“Paris for President” music video

I’m pretty sure everyone’s well aware that Paris Hilton is running for Prez.  I mean, the “old guy” said she was, so she guesses she is?  After the hilarious video and its follow-up, Paris Hilton comes up with a music video announcing her stand on the issues.  “Paris for President” is chanted repeatedly over an electro beat while creepy doll-faced secret agent guys dance around in the background.  “No more player-hatin’ in the U.S.A.” and “Fashion police?”  Sounds solid, don’t you think?

“The Vet Who Did Not Vet”

This one’s hilarious.  Using Seuss-ian rhymes, it gets its point across.  It does announce itself by the beginning that it’s a “cautionary tale.”  I’m not sure if kids will get the big points of this video, but still, it’s pretty entertaining — real-world caution juxtaposed with child-like visuals.  Why is it so funny?  Because it’s TRUE!  What bothers me is the last few seconds on this one, since it turns into an endorsement.  I like my satire neutral, so that I can smile at funnies made about each one.  (While still taking the issues seriously, of course.)

“McCain – Obama Dance-Off”

Forget the elections!  Settle the issues in a dance-off!  That way, people know what exactly they’re voting for.  This feature by mini-movie features some slick editing, something right up there with those silly video edits they make on Leno or O’Brien.  But of course, dancing skills should NEVER EVER replace true ability to lead, because if popularity’s any indication — we’re all pretty much screwed if the winner in the dance battle wins.  (That’s so non-neutral of me, wasn’t it?)

Well, those’re my favorite political satire videos at the moment.  Though I was initially tone-deaf for Paris’ music video, the lyrics are starting to catch on.  Let’s not hope that I won’t chat that next week on 11/4.

Do you know any other good political satire vids that I missed?  Share ‘em over the links, or discuss them over @ The Jabber.