Actress Kelly Marie Tran has revealed that her role in the upcoming queer comedy The Wedding Banquet played a significant part in her decision to come out publicly as queer. The actress, who rose to fame with her role as Rose Tico in Star Wars: The Last Jedi, shared her personal journey in an interview with Vanity Fair last November, and now, in a conversation with Attitude magazine, Tran discusses how working on the film created a supportive environment that helped her embrace her identity.
In The Wedding Banquet, Tran portrays Angela, a woman whose girlfriend, Lee (played by Lily Gladstone), is trying to get pregnant. Lee agrees to marry her gay male friend to help him secure a green card, with the arrangement that he will pay for her IVF treatments. However, complications arise when the friend’s traditional Korean grandmother arrives and insists on hosting an extravagant wedding banquet. The film, which blends humor with poignant themes of family and identity, is set to open on May 9.
Tran admitted that she hadn’t planned on publicly coming out before the film’s release, but the positive atmosphere on the set made the experience feel natural. “There was so much queer joy on this set, whether that was from the cast or the crew. I’d never been on a set before that was very dominantly queer, and there was so much joy in that,” Tran told Attitude. The actress described how this inclusive environment allowed her to express herself freely.
The pivotal moment came during an interview on the same day that the wedding scene was filmed. As Tran described the joyful energy of the set, a journalist asked her, “What are you most excited about?” In that moment, Tran says, she spontaneously came out. “I sort of just naturally came out. Then I was like, ‘Oh God, what have I done?’” she recalled. However, instead of feeling regret, Tran emphasized that she did not view her coming out as something shameful. She also recognized the importance of celebrating not just her identity, but the identities of many of the cast and crew members involved in the project.
Tran’s coming out was met with support from the film’s cast, including Gladstone, who previously shared a heartwarming story about Tran’s thoughtful gift to the crew. After filming wrapped, Tran gave the cast a candle with a unique scent of chestnuts and jujubes. The candle’s label read, “Don’t Fear Your Queer,” with a note at the bottom that said, “When you feel like throwing a whole a*s Korean wedding instead of embracing who you really are.” The gift, along with the atmosphere of love and acceptance on set, further solidified the sense of queer joy that Tran described.
In The Wedding Banquet, Tran’s character embarks on a journey of self-discovery and personal growth, a theme that resonates deeply with the actress’s own life. The movie’s exploration of love, identity, and family dynamics is especially meaningful in a time when more LGBTQ+ stories are making their way to the forefront of mainstream media. Tran’s decision to come out in such an open and authentic way is a testament to the power of representation and the positive impact of surrounding oneself with a supportive community.
The film, which features a predominantly queer cast and crew, is expected to make waves in the entertainment industry for its honest portrayal of queer relationships and the intersections of culture, identity, and tradition. Tran, who has long been a trailblazer for Asian representation in Hollywood, now adds another important milestone to her career by embracing and sharing her queer identity with the world.
As for the future, Tran’s decision to come out is not only a personal triumph but also an inspiration for others in the entertainment industry who may be struggling with their own identities. By using her platform to share her truth, Tran has become a powerful example of how visibility can change lives. With The Wedding Banquet set to premiere on May 9, audiences will have the opportunity to see her in a new light, embracing a role that mirrors her own personal journey.
The film’s cast also includes Bowen Yang, the openly gay comedian known for his work on Saturday Night Live, who plays a pivotal role in the film. The presence of both Tran and Yang in a queer-centered story highlights the growing demand for more inclusive narratives in Hollywood, as the entertainment industry continues to evolve and offer diverse representation for marginalized groups.
The Wedding Banquet promises to be a celebration of love, culture, and the complexities of queer relationships. Tran’s decision to come out during the promotion of the film only adds to the film’s significance, as it provides another layer of authenticity to the portrayal of LGBTQ+ experiences. As Tran continues to break barriers in Hollywood, her journey serves as a reminder that there is power in being true to oneself—and that representation matters now more than ever.
The Wedding Banquet opens in theaters on May 9, bringing a fresh perspective on queer love and the complexities of family, culture, and self-acceptance.
