MADISON BUTCHKO writes about changes in representation of Asian American women in the Netflix hit romantic-comedy Always Be My Maybe.
“We had the most insane freaky ass sex!” exclaims Sasha Tran, the lead character in Always Be My Maybe, as she enthusiastically shares the details of her romantic encounter with her best friend, Marcus. In a rom-com landscape dominated by predictable, cookie-cutter heroines, Sasha stands out—not just for her humor or her relationships, but for her depth and strength as a fully realized Asian American woman. What truly shocked me wasn’t the candid mention of “freaky ass sex,” but seeing an Asian American female lead portrayed as powerful, ambitious, and unapologetically in control of her own narrative. Sasha Tran redefines Asian American womanhood on screen, breaking away from the stereotypes that have long plagued Hollywood’s portrayals of Asian women.
Historically, Asian American women have been reduced to limiting and harmful caricatures in Western media—often depicted as hypersexual, submissive, or exotic “others.” As Celine Parreñas Shimizu discusses in The Sexual Bonds of Racial Stardom, these depictions have been damaging, not only because of their reductive nature but also because they have shaped public perceptions of Asian women. Sasha’s character, however, dismantles these archetypes entirely. She embodies a woman who is comfortable with her sexuality, confident in her career, and refuses to be defined by the men in her life. By embracing her own desires while maintaining her independence, Sasha offers a portrayal of Asian American womanhood that is multi-dimensional, fully human, and deeply relatable.
Shimizu points out that traditional portrayals of Asian women often revolve around their hypersexuality, with characters defined by their desirability rather than their complexity. Films like The World of Suzie Wong showcased characters like Suzie, whose entire narrative arc centered around her submissiveness to a male love interest. Suzie’s ultimate sacrifice of herself to support the man she loves epitomizes the outdated, one-dimensional view of Asian women as inherently servile. Sasha, on the other hand, directly contradicts this portrayal. Her relationships with Brandon Choi, Marcus Kim, and Keanu Reeves are important aspects of the plot, but they never define her. Sasha’s identity is rooted in her career as a celebrity chef and her uncompromising pursuit of her own dreams.
In Always Be My Maybe, Sasha’s sexuality is portrayed not as a tool for objectification, but as a natural and empowering part of her personality. She engages in romantic and sexual relationships on her own terms, and these moments are infused with humor and self-assurance. The flirtatious exchanges—like when she jokes, “Hi, baby, I missed your mouth”—are playful and humanizing, making her sexuality feel like a natural extension of her confidence rather than the defining trait of her character. This is a direct departure from the hypersexualized roles that Shimizu critiques, where Asian women’s sexuality is exploited for male fantasies. In Sasha’s case, her romantic encounters don’t diminish her; instead, they add complexity to her character, showcasing that sexuality can be an integrated, healthy part of a strong woman’s identity.
Sasha also subverts another common trope in the portrayal of Asian women: the idea that they are passive, compliant, and self-sacrificing. Shimizu’s analysis of the “Lotus Flower” archetype underscores how Asian women in cinema have long been depicted as servile, willing to sacrifice everything for the men in their lives. This dynamic is particularly evident in films like The World of Suzie Wong, where Suzie prioritizes her love interest’s desires over her own, even to the point of complete self-erasure. In stark contrast, Sasha refuses to compromise her ambitions for anyone. One of the most poignant moments in the film occurs when Marcus tries to persuade her to stay in San Francisco, but Sasha stands firm in her decision to pursue her career in New York. Her response, “I love you, Marcus. I don’t need you to live my life, but I need you to understand that this is my life,” is a declaration of independence. It is a powerful statement of self-worth, one that reaffirms her commitment to her own goals and dreams.
This scene is not just a turning point in Sasha’s relationship with Marcus—it is a broader commentary on the ways in which Asian American women can reclaim their autonomy in the face of societal expectations. Sasha’s refusal to be a “cheerleader” for Marcus’ dreams is emblematic of a larger shift in the portrayal of Asian women in media. No longer relegated to the sidelines or expected to prioritize others’ needs over their own, Sasha represents a new kind of Asian American heroine: one who knows her worth and isn’t afraid to assert it.
What makes Sasha’s character even more compelling is that she is not just a symbol of empowerment for Asian women—she is a fully developed, multi-faceted individual. Her humor, vulnerability, and moments of self-doubt make her feel real and relatable. While past portrayals of Asian women have often been limited to either the hypersexualized “dragon lady” or the submissive “Lotus Flower,” Sasha breaks free from these constraints. She is neither an exoticized object of desire nor a passive participant in someone else’s story. Instead, she is the protagonist of her own life, with ambitions, flaws, and dreams that extend far beyond her relationships with men.Always Be My Maybe isn’t just a rom-com that offers laughs and quirky romance—it’s a film that breathes new life into Asian American representation. Sasha Tran’s character defies the outdated, damaging stereotypes of Asian women and presents a multi-dimensional, fully realized portrayal of womanhood. Beyond the humor and the “freaky ass sex,” Sasha embodies what it means to be a powerful Asian American woman in modern media. She is unapologetically herself, proving that representation is not just about visibility but about authenticity.
Madison Butchko is a senior at Yale University pursuing a B.S. in Physics and a B.A. in East Asian Studies with a concentration on China. Her research spans topics from Asian American representation in media to examining China’s social issues within its cultural and historical contexts. Originally adopted from China, her personal connection to the country sparked her academic interest, which deepened after briefly serving in the Air Force, where she became intrigued by the geopolitical landscape. Fluent in Chinese and currently learning Japanese, she continues to explore international relations and cultural dynamics in East Asia.
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