These Wasian Girls Made Different Choices (Eileen Gu VS Alysa Liu)

All right, everybody. It is a cold winter day in Chinatown, New York City, and we have to talk about Alyssa Louu and [music] Eileen Goo and how this whole situation has been very, very politicized. I'm not politicizing it.

politicized. I'm not politicizing it.

Other people are, but we're going to talk about it. I got my friend Matt with [music] me. He's going to come in later

[music] me. He's going to come in later and give his interesting take on it. So,

let's talk about the Winter Olympian Ways. All right, everybody. I'm here

Ways. All right, everybody. I'm here

with Matt. What's up? All right, so real quick to just give everybody a quick overview. Melissa Leu just won the gold

overview. Melissa Leu just won the gold medal for figure skating and as of filming this video she has another chance to win I believe a couple more.

Eileen Goo of course you guys know the international superstar who won gold medals for China even though she is born and raised in the US which caused some controversy over the past few years but because Alyssa Leu actually grew up with

Eileen Goo. So now I think this whole

Eileen Goo. So now I think this whole conversation is coming back. Matt, am I missing anything?

>> You got that right. Two wian sensations from the Bay Area.

>> Winter wanian sensations. Winter Wasian

Sensations Bay Area. Both ran in the same family friend circle in the Bay Area. Both single parents. Uh Alyssa,

Area. Both single parents. Uh Alyssa,

single dad, Eileen, single mom. Um both

fluent manner and very in touch with their cultural side. Um and ultra competitive, so spiritually Asian even down to uh Alyssa's father is known as having a very uh big law firm. So he's

done well for himself. He's raised five kids via surrogates. And by the way, surrogate parents are not cheap. Um, and

Eileen Goo's uh father has not really been shown. I mean, I would say Alyssa

been shown. I mean, I would say Alyssa Leu's uh I guess the the mothers to all her siblings are not really like publicized. So, it's kind of like they

publicized. So, it's kind of like they both kind of have like oddly mysterious family backgrounds. I don't want to like

family backgrounds. I don't want to like dig too much into it, but let's just say like uh >> there's a lot of online speculation of you know how how they've uh how they came to be, you know, >> right? It's kind of weird to be so

>> right? It's kind of weird to be so fixated on their family backgrounds, but we can't help because, you know, I'm I'm not going to lie, in the spirit of conspiracy theories all becoming like 50% true at least. Uh that's why people are talking about it. The thing that

kind of separates them and what the non-Asian community is trying to divide is that they fly under different flags.

Alyssa being American, Chinese American, Eileen also Chinese American technically, but flying the Chinese flag. Not too common in the 20th

flag. Not too common in the 20th century. Maybe more increasingly common

century. Maybe more increasingly common in the 21st century. Especially not

common 10 years ago.

>> Real quick, I got to stop you there.

Matt, I've never been inside this mall, man. What is this? 15 Elizabeth. Have

man. What is this? 15 Elizabeth. Have

you been inside here?

>> Old doctors. This is all my old primary care. It's uh it used to be it's very

care. It's uh it used to be it's very it's very toy, I think. Let's Let's go in there.

>> It's super cold, guys. Outside, you

know, and and I'm holding this thing up.

So Oh, this is a nice little mo. Okay.

I've never First time inside.

>> Kind of like mainland.

>> Yeah. Well, you know, a lot of stuff is mainland. Oh, you know who else is

mainland. Oh, you know who else is mainland Chinese? Actually, both Alyssa

mainland Chinese? Actually, both Alyssa Leu and Eileen Goo are both mainland Chinese. So, I think it's interesting

Chinese. So, I think it's interesting that they both have mainland parents.

Another thing about Eileen I think is interesting is that whenever she's asked about her nationality or her like citizenship, she kind of has like a fishy answer. So, I think that just

fishy answer. So, I think that just breeds even more speculation because she's not really answering it straight up because she is uh competing for China.

>> What do you mean by that? What do you mean by that?

>> When people ask her like, "Oh, Eileen, did you give up your American citizenship?" she like basically won't

citizenship?" she like basically won't answer it. But the truth is she probably

answer it. But the truth is she probably still has her citizenship, but just because she has like a special connection with China uh through maybe her mom um that she's pretty much able to compete for China. But there's other

Americans that have I mean Chris uh was not Ryan Anderson. Chris, not Chris Anderson. Who's Kyle Anderson?

Anderson. Who's Kyle Anderson?

>> Kyle Anderson, my bad.

>> NBA player uh like 18 or 1/4 Chinese, mostly like uh black passing. Grew up in New Jersey. I mean, he's black, but he's

New Jersey. I mean, he's black, but he's uh Jamaican black.

>> Okay. Yeah. But he played he recently got nationalization for the Chinese national team. So, he plays basketball

national team. So, he plays basketball for China. I bet most people don't even

for China. I bet most people don't even know that, >> right? So, I think it's actually not new

>> right? So, I think it's actually not new uh what Eileen Goo is doing. Another

difference is actually the parental background. So both parents of Alyssa

background. So both parents of Alyssa Leu's father and Eileen Goose's mother are both mainland Chinese, but Alyssa Leu's father has a history of being a protester and organizing pro-democratic

protest in China during the Tianan Square, you know, the 80s and early 90s.

So uh he basically felt like he had to leave China for that reason. While I

would say Eileen Goo's mother and Eileen Goo had been proudly Chinese and repping the Chinese flag, which is just different. It just gives a different

different. It just gives a different vibe, you know, like of course guys, you know, on this channel I've always talked about China and we are keep it pretty real and pretty fair and I'm but I'm also pretty much against like people

randomly hating on China for no reason.

Although, you know, no government is perfect. Not America and definitely not

perfect. Not America and definitely not China's government. All right. So, I

China's government. All right. So, I

feel like Alyssa's background as far as her allegiances and political, I guess, story is pretty straight up clear. You

know, she's born and raised in America.

She's half white. Um, so her dad did probably pick a Caucasian uh egg uh as a egg donor. But anyway, so she's, you

egg donor. But anyway, so she's, you know, for America, she's going to win golds for America, all that stuff. But

Eileen Goose situation is a little bit different. And that's why it's always

different. And that's why it's always been controversial, especially because Eileen is such a big star. She like

makes millions of dollar. Do you know how many millions of dollars?

>> Uh, I think north of 20 million, which puts her in the top five of female athletes by income. The only ones close are literally tennis players. Uh the

only Chinese woman who rivals that is Junction Chinwen, Olympic, also Olympic tennis player, but Grand Slam contender.

So uh there's not too many. I mean Coco Golf is up there too. Anyway,

>> Matt Matt, you have a a take on Eileen Goo. What What Go ahead.

Goo. What What Go ahead.

>> Yeah. So Eileen Goo very polarizing because she's white. Let's face it, she's white passing uh white culturally probably uh dating tendencies uh school-wise. She she's Liz is basically

school-wise. She she's Liz is basically an American girl. Uh, however, her paychecks come from China. Um, a lot of Americans, let's say conservative white

men might see her and want to have that feeling of feeling proud of her, but that proudness and that national pride and that maybe that ethnic pride is muted because they know that she's

taking checks. Um, that rubs them the

taking checks. Um, that rubs them the wrong way. Now, when you look at the

wrong way. Now, when you look at the comments, if you've been noticing the comments on her social media the past, I don't know, four years, they are constantly just just jumping straight to

it. Why would you do that? Why would you

it. Why would you do that? Why would you do like it's almost like they feel like she's betraying their tribe as white Americans and they they they constantly talk about like go back to China,

whatever. And and her response is quite

whatever. And and her response is quite good. Um it's cry about it. She kind of

good. Um it's cry about it. She kind of doubles down. Cry about it. Why don't

doubles down. Cry about it. Why don't

you do something about she doesn't really shy away from it. She doesn't.

She completely owns it. Um, and that's something that we haven't seen from any athletes, Chinese American, uh, Taiwanese American, anyone from >> So, are you saying that she's like kind of unapologetic about repping China? And

you're saying in a way, is that like a very American trait of hers?

>> It is an American trait. Um, but it's an American trait going against what they want her to do. Um, and at the same time, yes, I she's she's not exactly a

soldier of China, but she is unapologetic unapologetic about it, including, you know, putting China in a positive light. Not not really being

positive light. Not not really being like, you know, how Jordan used to separate. He he once said, uh,

separate. He he once said, uh, Republicans buy sneakers, too. And she's

doing the opposite where she's like, "Okay, I'm Chinese. I'm I'm having fun in China. I post about China in my

in China. I post about China in my social media. I'm not apologizing for

social media. I'm not apologizing for that." And that's something regardless

that." And that's something regardless of whatever opinion you have about her, that's something that we haven't seen yet. So Trailblazers in my mind, they

yet. So Trailblazers in my mind, they always have my respect.

>> Okay, fair take. I mean, I actually don't disagree with you. I think it is pretty bold what she's doing, you know, and obviously she feels very confident in that and you know, she's beautiful from a good family, very talented,

athletic, so she might as well be confident. I guess I would say what's

confident. I guess I would say what's something you'd want her to change?

Like, is there anything? What else can she do?

>> What else could Eileen Goo do be like a soldier for Asians?

>> Well, like being Asian-American, right?

So, like she's doing that part of the Chinese thing. But then

Chinese thing. But then >> Oh, appreciate that, man. Uh I mean, on a non-serious note, I mean, if she would just like date a Chinese guy, that would

be that'd be cool. Like if Eileen Goo could bring herself to meet and date a Chinese guy considering she makes so much money in China and China loves her and she goes back and forth and she's very proud of her culture, you know, it

would make sense.

>> Not a whitewash Chinese girl. She's

Chinese. She culturally she speaks it.

She likes the food. She she travels there all the time. She's traveled there more than us. Like

>> but [laughter] I I I think you know obviously I'm not here to control who people date. You can date whoever you

people date. You can date whoever you want. But I'm just saying it would show

want. But I'm just saying it would show something because obviously Eileen Goo's like I guess history of guys that she even hangs out with on record is not so Chinese. Of course, I'm sure at Stanford

Chinese. Of course, I'm sure at Stanford there are plenty of Asian people for her to hang out with. But you know what I'm saying? I guess if we're just talking,

saying? I guess if we're just talking, oh, what should she does? Does she need to? No, whatever. Don't do it for me.

to? No, whatever. Don't do it for me.

Who cares? Um, do your thing. you know,

I mean, she lives a fine life and but yeah, so I think it's funny that basically comparing We don't know who Alyssa is dating and we probably don't need to talk about that because why am I concerned with

>> Yeah. Well, what what do you think about

>> Yeah. Well, what what do you think about her hanging out with that French Olympian last Olympics? Are we are we still thinking about that?

>> I mean, I'm not thinking about it. I'm

not emotional about it, but obviously if you made asked me and you were like, "Hey, this French guy kind of had this off comment about China and or Asians and then like and then she's like

hanging out with him." It's kind of like >> Was that like that face that meme? Dope

>> that's it. That's the face I had. So

nothing not a big deal but of course it's kind of like of course right of let's go to Tulse across Canal. Let's

cross canal.

What? So, who do you identify with more, Alyssa or Eileene?

>> Okay. So, I find what Eileen did as very interesting because I'm a guy who is a media and we talk about Chinese culture.

I always wanted to be part of the bridge and I think you know what the fun bros have done over the years is part of the bridge. Although we didn't really reach

bridge. Although we didn't really reach over as far as Eileen did u because she's more famous and is is more fluid I guess culturally or supposedly. But like

I guess I think it's really cool what that mission that part of her mission is. I mean obviously I think she saw the

is. I mean obviously I think she saw the opportunity and her family saw the opportunity to be like really big over there and be globally famous by uh you know winning golds for China and you

know because the Olympics is so politicized and it's almost like >> and China cares more about the Olympics than than professional sports.

>> I mean they care the most about the Olympics probably. So, it's like to I

Olympics probably. So, it's like to I guess further the goal of China. I can

see why a lot of people see that as like a negative, especially Americans, right?

Depending on how patriotic you want to be. Um, and then so Alyssa is more like

be. Um, and then so Alyssa is more like straight up just like American. I'm like

ABC. I'm a I'm a wian. Cool, you know?

So, I guess like in that I see what Eileen did on a global scale as I guess pretty interesting. Um, but you know,

pretty interesting. Um, but you know, I'm proud of them both and you know, I don't know them personally. Uh, but I know that like maybe Eileen's like kind of the way she carries herself in a more posh like classy way can come off as a

little uh pretentious and I ran around rich people, doesn't she?

>> You you say that with I know I know what you mean. So I'm just saying like

you mean. So I'm just saying like >> I mean I'm I'm I mean Instagram posts one slide Elon Musk one side the notorious Wendy Deng Murdoch married to Rupert Murdoch. Enough said. Okay,

Rupert Murdoch. Enough said. Okay,

Google Google that.

>> We didn't talk about it.

>> I get it. I get it. I get it. That's why

I'm like I think as a person I probably relate more to Alyssa.

>> Let's say this. I mean Eileen would not win the gold medal in Down to Earth.

She She'd win it for a beauty pageant though for sure. All right. What What

about you? Um well yeah like I said net positive. I think Eileen's positive.

positive. I think Eileen's positive.

Like I said maybe not the most relatable person and for that [laughter] like I'm not hanging out with Wendy Deng Murdoch and being proud of that. But

>> she she is unapologetic. Like I said, listen, we all knew that you get you guys used to dance around like you're just like if you talk about this China, you almost have to have this disclaimer

that you don't fully support everything about them. But she's unapologetic. She

about them. But she's unapologetic. She

says, "Go, hey, white men, go cry more about what I said, like me supporting China." Just just to point out American

China." Just just to point out American hypocrisy.

uh a talented footballer, soccer player, Jeppe Rossi, born and raised in New Jersey. Everyone expected him to be the

Jersey. Everyone expected him to be the top American men's player, but he ended up playing for Italy. He rode the bench.

He was like 12th man on Italy. Didn't

get minutes. And so then people were mad, but they weren't giving the same kind of energy that they're giving Eileen. Eileen's aing traitor here. like

Eileen. Eileen's aing traitor here. like

Jeppe Rossi. Oh yeah, it would have been nice if he would have been the best player on team USA, but he's literally riding the bench to be I mean Italian American like >> you know it's not the same man. It's

viewed completely different.

>> That's what I'm saying is [ __ ] right here. Like like they need to give that

here. Like like they need to give that same energy they gave uh Jeppe Rossi to Eileene or vice versa. Give Eileen some grace that that Jeppe didn't get.

Anytime someone waves a Chinese flag, no matter what your background is, you're going to get some scrutiny. Okay. So,

yes, I give her credit for being bold and just going for whatever she wants, you know. Um, but yes, you know,

you know. Um, but yes, you know, >> the check the check the R&B helps, right? Like the the R&B helps.

right? Like the the R&B helps.

>> I mean, who knows? Listen, I'm not in their position.

>> I'm I'm I'm probably going to compete for America. Okay. [laughter]

for America. Okay. [laughter]

All right, everybody. You let me know in the comments down below. I know that they actually grew up together, so they know each other and they're both wayians from the Bay Area. Both from these interesting kind of like odd family

structures. I'll just say that. Uh so

structures. I'll just say that. Uh so

leaving it up to a lot of like I guess interesting speculation.

>> I got a question though. Do you think if the the option for Eileen to compete for Taiwan or say like Jeremy Lynn to play basketball for Taiwan? Do you think that

would have changed like for but not being American? You know what is it? the

being American? You know what is it? the

fact that they're not picking American or is it just a double the double-edged sword that she picked not only not American but China?

>> No, it's definitely that she picked China for sure. 100%. [laughter]

All right, everybody. Let us know in the comments down below. Hope you guys enjoyed that discussion. This is Matt.

Maybe you'll see him around, but uh let us know in the comments down below.

Alyssa Leu and Eileen Goo, the wonderful >> winter. The wonderful winter. The winter

>> winter. The wonderful winter. The winter

soldier.