Myleene Klass has sued a fellow celebrity for making their Filipino nanny work “illegal hours.”
The presenter, 44, whose mother is Filipino and father is Chinese, shared a lengthy Instagram post describing the “accidental racism” she has heard people say in front of her.
She wrote on her stories, “Things I Said to Me When I Lived in North London…” before listing, “Get a Filipino.” I have a Filipino. Filipinos are cheaper, speak to an agency. I have a nice quiet Filipino cleaner you can borrow her.
Myleene continued, “We are good to our Filipino, we send her home every Christmas. We’re leaving London, do you want our filipino?’
‘The lady was working 24/7’: Myleene Klass has called out a fellow celebrity for making their Filipino nanny work ‘illegal hours’
Speaking Out: A shocking example she gave was someone in the industry forcing their nanny to “work 24/7”
She then made the shocking revelation that a celebrity said, “She wanted to come on vacation, she would miss our kids (the lady missed Christmas with her own kids and worked 24/7, illegal hours).
“You have no person, that would make you a slave owner. She’s not yours.
“If you’re not sure, change the word Filipino to another race and see how that fits. Suddenly it doesn’t sound so ‘ok’ anymore. Not putting my Asian sisters out of work. Pay them and treat them right.’
It comes after Myleene revealed she’s been “mistaken” for her son Apollo’s “Filipino nanny” in a candid Instagram post about her mixed-race heritage — following Everything Everywhere All At Once and the Asian cast triumphing at the SAG Awards from Sunday.
In the lengthy post, Myleene said this was recently, as someone mistook her for her son’s nanny last week, adding that the others don’t realize the phrase is “casually racist.”
The star, who welcomed her son Apollo in 2019, wrote, “Even last week when I was out with my son, I was mistaken as his Filipino nanny (luckily it’s a noble role, but one that is often taken for granted in North London). where some mothers don’t realize how lucky they are to have “help” and “a Filipino” or that even this expression is casually racist).
“The Asian community must leave their children behind to provide them with a better life, while raising those who are not theirs and who are expected to be openly grateful for the often unfair reward, while being invisible.”
In her post, Myleene also shared a slew of throwback photos from her entire career, including her time in Miss Saigon in the West End — set during the Vietnam War — at just 18 years old.
The stunner then posted selfies with co-star and Filipino actress Lea Salonga, 52, as well as Jonathan Price, 75.
Opening: The presenter, 44, whose mother is Filipino and father is Chinese, shared a lengthy Instagram post describing the ‘casual racism’ she suffers from in North London
She revealed that “exceptional” actor Jonathan – who is white – was “Asian” for the show with a black wig and “mandatory” slit eyes” – while producers stated that Myleene herself did not look “Asian enough” to be cast.
The former Hear’Say singer also shared a clip of actor James Hong, 94, at Sunday’s ceremony, saying, “Producers said the Asians weren’t good enough.”
And they weren’t cash registers. But look at us now!’ which elicited wild applause from the audience to roar in applause.
In response, Myleene wrote, “Finally. The Asian invasion is coming’.
“I posted this for a mixed race, Filipina (my mom is Filipina, her dad is Chinese), I never thought there would come a day when the Asian community could finally stand their ground and be recognized for their contributions, culture and above all, their talent’.
“I made no secret of the racism I faced growing up. ‘Chink’ and ‘Mongrel’ were terms I heard regularly’.
‘I was given plates to clear in the College dining hall because ‘that’s what Filipinos do’. I stood in front of the school bus full of kids squinting their eyes and taunting “ching chong”…
“Asians have been consistently portrayed as the kung fu experts, the fiddle-playing geniuses, the obedient, ping-pong bouncing Asian brides. Well, the world is changing’.
‘Casually racist’: It comes after Myleene revealed she’s been ‘mistaken’ for her son Apollo’s ‘Filipino nanny’ in a candid Instagram post about her mixed-race heritage
Inspired: Myleene, whose mother is Filipino and father is Chinese, was inspired to share her thoughts after Everything Everywhere All At Once and the Asian cast triumphed at Sunday’s SAG Awards in Los Angeles (LR) Brian Le, James Hong and Michelle Yeoh
‘Picture 1. Parodying the American Dream in my first West End role in Miss Saigon. I am 18 years old’.
“Picture 2. with @msleasalonga, the girl who broke new ground for our community and showed the world our talent.”
Photo 3. The most important of them all. Me with Jonathan Price. Exceptional actor AND the man she ‘Asianed’, black wig, eyeliner dragged over his eyes taped into the obligatory ‘slit eyes’ shape,
The irony of this photo? I had been told twice before that I didn’t look “Asian enough to be on the show.”
“This is not hate from a bygone era (let’s hope) but love on a HUGE scale for the Asian community that is finally being seen and appreciated.”
Noble roles as they are, we’re not just your nannies, nurses, brides, dry cleaners, geeks, or an aesthetic. We are now recognized in our own way. We’re here and in the words of (photo 4) James Hong, “look at us now.”
“I love you my Asian brothers and sisters”
Michelle Yeoh made history as the first Asian woman to win Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role for Everything Everywhere All at Once.
“I think if I speak my heart will explode,” she said as she accepted her trophy. “SAG-AFTRA, to get this from you, who understands what it’s like to come here. Each of you knows the journey, the roller coaster ride, the ups and downs. But the most important thing is that we never give up. Thank you.’
Co-stars: The stunner also posted selfies with her Miss Saigon co-star and Filipino actress Lea Salonga, 52, as well as Jonathan Price, 75
Sad: She revealed that the ‘exceptional’ actor – who is white – was ‘Asian’ for the show with a black wig and ‘mandatory’ slit eyes’ – after producers stated she didn’t look ‘Asian enough’ to be cast
Speaking out: In response, Myleene wrote, “Finally. The Asian invasion is coming’
She continued, “I thank you for your love, for your support, because I know I have to face titans.”
‘Thank you, thank you, thank you. This isn’t just for me, this is for any girl who looks like me,” added the Crazy Rich Asians actress.
Ke Huy Quan became the first Asian male to win the Best Supporting Actor award in the film category.
He thanked Yeoh during his speech, saying he was “so happy when we both started our careers in 1984” and met “on the big screen.”
Quan then told other actors who are “struggling to be seen” to “please keep going.”
“Because the spotlight will find you someday,” he concluded.
The film’s four wins made SAG history – breaking the record for the most wins by a single film.
