Apex for Youth’s Inspiration Awards Honored Lana Condor and Celebrated AAPI Representation

Eileen Gu, Lana CondorYvonne Tnt/BFA.com

On Thursday evening, more than 600 black-tie clad thought-leaders from across entertainment, fashion, and business from the Asian American and Pacific Islander community convened for the Apex for Youth’s 34th annual Inspiration Awards Gala.

The organization—dedicated to providing long-term mentorship and academic assistance for underserved Asian-American youth—hosted its latest bash at Cipriani South Street, where an impressive $3.7 million was raised towards mental health and well-being programs.

Lana Condor, the star of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, was the evening’s honoree, in recognition of her contributions to Asian-American representation in media. “I don’t usually win anything, so this is very exciting,” Condor told Vogue. “Apex for Youth is doing something that is essential. I understand the importance of mentors—my mom recently passed, but she was my biggest mentor. She taught me so much about morals and values. She always told me, ‘Whenever you’re feeling anxious that means you just need to prepare more. If you’re over prepared, it’s very difficult to feel anxious.’ Ever since she said that, I have applied that to every part of my life—including tonight.”

In a chic Simkhai ensemble, Condor took to the stage to accept the award from her Pretty Lethal castmate Avantika and spoke about the importance of representation in an industry that has not always made space for it. “I am fully Asian and I am also fully American, and those two truths exist at the same time. I was born in Vietnam and adopted into a white American family,” she explained to the audience, which included fashion designers Laura Kim, Sandy Liang, Andrew Kwon, Kim Shui and Dao-Yi Chow. “Being in the film industry brought a very different awareness for me. I became more aware of how I was seen as an Asian woman. I was encouraged to change how I looked, I was told I needed different lighting for my round face. I was encouraged to change my name, which I never was going to do. When I auditioned for To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, it was one of the most exciting moments in my career; a lead role in a romantic comedy that wasn’t just Asian-American by chance, but intentionally centered throughout the experience. When someone tells me that they gather with friends and family to revisit those films for comfort, it gives me a real purpose—this is what drives me. It’s the greatest honor to hear from people that my work makes them feel seen and understood.”

Olympic gold medal freestyle skier Eileen Gu was also in attendance to present a trophy to business leader and philanthropist Michael Chung, whom she first met at the 2022 Inspiration Awards in the very same room. Ever since he has become her friend and a trusted mentor.

As the last bites of braised boneless short ribs were enjoyed, the gala concluded with a fast-paced paddle raise round, led by Tony winner and long-time Apex for Youth advocate BD Wong.

Makeup artist Daniel Martin, known for his work with Meghan Markle, Michelle Yeoh, Ali Wong, and Gemma Chan, among others, was taking it all in. “Community is so important,” he told Vogue. “When I discovered Apex, this was a group that I knew I wanted to support. Contributing is just as important. You have to remember the people that you come up with, and so much is about helping and supporting other members in your community.”