Bowen Yang opens up about portraying JD Vance on 'SNL' and role in 'The Wedding Banquet' remake

Bowen Yang reflected on his identity as a gay Asian American playing the vice president.

Bowen Yang is in a splashy new movie, “The Wedding Banquet,” but he also has some serious thoughts about his high-profile role playing Vice President JD Vance on “Saturday Night Live.” 

While discussing the new film, in theaters Friday, about a man who gets caught up in a sham marriage between his boyfriend and his best girlfriend over a green card and in vitro fertilization, Yang reflected on his identity as a gay Asian American and how it affects his work playing Vance.

Though fans have praised his depiction of the vice president, he said it’s been difficult for him — but that he’s put forth the same effort as with any role.

“I approached it in as disciplined of a way as I think anyone could, which was I hired, I worked with this accent coach that I love, where we found the right balance between, like, Appalachian and Ohio,” Yang told NBC News. “I have a serviceable JD Vance, but I was like you know what, this is a charge that I don’t take lightly. Like, I want to make it pop as best as I can. I’ve been very lucky to play political figures on that show.”

Yang, the first Asian American and one of the few openly LGBTQ+ cast members in the 50-year history of “Saturday Night Live,” said his beliefs and identity affect his work.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/asian-america/bowen-yang-jd-vance-snl-wedding-banquet-remake-rcna201416

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