A 38-second promotional clip for The Devil Wears Prada 2 has sparked backlash on social media.
20th Century Studios released the clip on April 16, introducing the character Jin Chao, played by Helen J Shen, who is described as a new assistant to Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway).
The Criticism
Social media users have accused the character portrayal of containing elements of anti-Asian stereotyping. Specific points raised include:
- The character's clothing and glasses were described as dowdy in contrast to other characters.
- The character's recitation of academic achievements (Yale, 3.86 GPA, lead soprano of the Whiffenpoofs, ACT score of 36) was cited as perpetuating the "nerdy bookworm" stereotype.
- The character's name was noted as sounding similar to a racial slur.
The Response
The Guardian has contacted representatives of the film for comment. The film is scheduled for release on April 30 in China and May 1 in the US and UK. It had previously faced criticism for a brand partnership with Starbucks.