For Asian-American Stars, Many Web Fans

ASIAN roles in Hollywood have come a long way since Mickey Rooney played a Japanese neighbor in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s.” But the dearth of Asian lead characters today suggests that there is still a way to go.

It’s an entirely different story, however, on YouTube, where a young generation of Asian-Americans has found a voice (and millions of eager fans) on the democratized platform.

Of the 20 most-subscribed-to channels on YouTube, which include series like College Humor Originals and Annoying Orange, three belong to Asian-Americans. Ryan Higa, 21, a Japanese-American comic who lives in Las Vegas, has 4.1 million subscribers to his channel, in which he melds sketch comedy and personal musings. Until recently, he was No. 1 in total subscribers; he is now No. 2.

read more at http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/31/fashion/for-asian-stars-many-web-fans....