When hoping to succeed in Hollywood, it’s tough to find that compromise between cultural heritage and what Western audiences would like to see. But many of the newer stars aren’t shying away from representing their cultures. Many are incorporating cultural pieces into their outfits and drawing inspiration from aspects of their culture to inform their artistry.
Having these big names embrace their diverse backgrounds allows young people of colour—who continue to have little representation in modern media—and those outside the US feel seen. It shows them that there is no need to compromise personal values when pursuing the career of their dreams. These seven moments show us the impact that these artists leave behind by loudly and proudly proclaiming their heritage.
Hello, Sawadika
Lisa is in her Sawadika era in the lead-up to the release of her new EP Press Play, set to come out on 23 October 2026. The music video for the title track, Sawadika, features the Blackpink star embracing her heritage with homages to Muay Thai, tuk-tuks, and recognisable landmarks across Bangkok, like the Hua Lamphong railway station and the newly-opened Dib Bangkok. The Blackpink star blends these cultural landmarks with a high-energy and rap-heavy beat, seamlessly blending her two worlds into one.
Returning To Their Roots
The boys are back and better than ever. BTS made a splash with their comeback album, Arirang, which features a slew of references to Korean culture and history. The album title itself is derived from an old Korean folk song—often deemed the ‘national anthem’ of South Korea. Another prominent historical reference is in the music video for Swim, which depicts seven Korean men going to the United States to study at Howard University. It parallels the band’s own journey as they worked hard to expand their reach into the Western market.
Of course, with them finally breaking into the US market, the next step was clear: Grammys. They’ve been on the hunt for years and they’ve managed to get a nomination, a monumental achievement in its own right, but it’s that first win that eludes them to this day. With some recent revelations, fans may have to wait a little longer as BTS have decided to pull themselves out of contention for the 2027 Grammys. This was a response to the Recording Academy having introduced a new Best Asian Pop Music Performance category meant to honour K-pop, J-pop, C-pop, and other Asian acts. The move was highly controversial and the Recording Academy was met with backlash from fellow industry members and the public alike.
“I hope that music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” said BTS in a statement. Many praised BTS’s decision to withdraw, and only time will tell of the ramifications to be had for the Recording Academy.
Icons (Eyekons) In The Making
They may be relatively new to the music scene, but Katseye have swiftly and efficiently cemented their place in pop culture through their famous 2025 Gap advertisement. Not only did it feature all of their members, who come from a diverse range of backgrounds, but also showcased elements from their respective cultures.
The low-cut jeans showed off Manon’s waist beads; Lara was wearing a bindi and her om necklace, which has made regular appearances on her both on-stage and off; and Megan, who is half-Chinese on her mother’s side, also had her jade bracelet on. The addition of these cultural elements added a personal touch to each girl’s look throughout the video. We couldn’t imagine Lara, Megan, or Manon without them. Considering how viral the advertisement, neither can anyone else in the world.
She’s A Madwoman
Laufey is known among fellow Gen Zs for her soulful jazz tunes. For her Madwoman music video, the Chinese-Icelandic singer decided to honour her mixed heritage by blending elements of a ‘60s aesthetic—which suits the fun and bouncy jazz-pop track—with Chinese cultural and cinematic homages.
She called upon fellow Wasian stars to appear alongside her: Lola Tung, Olympic Gold medallist figure skater Alysa Liu, Megan Skiendiel from Katseye, and Hudson Williams. With Williams as her leading man, she paid homage to Wong Kar-wai’s film In The Mood For Love, down to the cheongsam and cinematic style. Other cultural references include Liu and Tung playing mahjong, dishes like roast duck and steamed fish, and lychee in place of olives in Williams’s dirty martini.
The Baddest Bitches Ain’t In LA
Unless you’re living under a rock, you’ve definitely heard of Adéla. The Dream Academy alum has been popping off lately with her sophomore album Prima, particularly the single Ain’t In LA. Ask the girlies and they’ll tell you that it’s a certified song of the summer—and the charts agree. Ain’t In LA reached No. 3 on Spotify’s Global Daily Chart and peaked at No. 30 on the Billboard Hot 100. But don’t let its upbeat pop-tune fool you—hidden within the track is a touching personal story.
The first verse of the song was inspired by her own mother’s life, telling the story of a young girl in Slovakia who always dreamed of going to America to chase her dreams. In an interview, Adéla elaborated that her mother chose to stay in Slovakia after her brother was born. Since its release, the song has become an anthem for many young women and girls around the world. It’s also a broader love letter to young girls everywhere that they’re perfect the way they are, even their little hometown—celebrating both the immigrants around the world and those who have to hold down the fort back home.
This article originally appeared in Grazia Singapore.