Yellowface
Yellowface is a racist performance practice in which non-Asian performers, especially white performers, use makeup, costume, or exaggerated mannerisms to portray East Asian characters or to mimic East Asian appearance.
Yellowface is a racist performance practice in which non-Asian performers, especially white performers, use makeup, costume, or exaggerated mannerisms to portray East Asian characters. It has been used in theatre, film, and television and is widely regarded as offensive and tied to stereotypes and whitewashing.
Definition
Yellowface refers to makeup, costume, or performance choices used by non-Asian actors to appear East Asian. Dictionaries describe it as a practice used by white performers when portraying East Asian characters, and note that it is considered deeply offensive.
History and use in entertainment
Yellowface has a long history in Western theatre and film, where East Asian roles were often given to white actors. Sources describe it as a recurring practice in American film and theatre and connect it to early stage and screen conventions.
Criticism
Critics say yellowface reinforces racial stereotypes by exaggerating facial features, accents, and costume. It is commonly discussed as part of broader patterns of racism, caricature, and whitewashing in media representation.
Related concepts
Yellowface is often compared with blackface because both involve racial impersonation through performance. It is also linked to whitewashing, where Asian characters are written or cast in ways that exclude Asian actors.
Key facts
- Yellowface involves non-Asian performers altering their appearance to portray East Asian people.
- It has a history in Western theatre and film, especially in entertainment.
- The practice relies on stereotypes rather than accurate representation of East Asian people and cultures.
- Yellowface is commonly discussed alongside whitewashing and other exclusionary casting practices.
- Modern usage is usually critical and describes a racist or offensive practice.
Canadian readers may encounter the term in discussions of stage, film, and television representation, especially in debates about casting, Asian Canadian visibility, and anti-racism in the arts.
Frequently asked questions
What does yellowface mean?
Why is yellowface considered offensive?
Where has yellowface been used?
Is yellowface still discussed today?
Is yellowface the same as blackface?
References
- Merriam-Webster — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/yellowfaceSupports: Definition of yellowface as makeup or clothing used to mimic East Asian appearance and note that it is deeply offensive.
- Dictionary.com — https://www.dictionary.com/browse/yellowfaceSupports: Definition of yellowface as facial makeup used by a white, non-Asian actor portraying an East Asian character.
- Cambridge Dictionary — https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/yellowfaceSupports: Definition of yellowface as the practice of white actors changing appearance with makeup to play East Asian characters.
- Teen Vogue — https://www.teenvogue.com/story/yellowface-whitewashing-historySupports: Historical discussion of yellowface, its relation to whitewashing, and examples in film history.
- BBC — https://www.bbc.com/bbcthree/article/98243066-80af-4680-9d2f-1bf98b4a8613Supports: Explanation of yellowface as non-East Asian performers dressed to play East Asian characters, often through stereotypes.
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/YellowfaceSupports: General overview of yellowface in American film and theatre and its connection to stereotype-driven portrayals.