'I wish people wouldn't just see me as the emotionless Asian girl': Lucy Liu says she has been held back by racism in Hollywood

'People see Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock in a romantic comedy, not me'

'I got pushed out of both categories, too Asian, too American'

'My relationship status is a giant question mark. I wish I knew the answer'

As any actor will attest, the acting industry is tough to break into. But there are even more challenges once you break through, Lucy Liu has confessed.

In an exclusive interview she talks about the typecasting and racism she's faced. 

'I wish people wouldn’t just see me as the Asian girl who beats everyone up, or the Asian girl with no emotion. People see Julia Roberts or Sandra Bullock in a romantic comedy, but not me. You add race to it, and it became, "Well, she’s too Asian", or, "She’s too American". 

'I kind of got pushed out of both categories. It’s a very strange place to be. You’re not Asian enough and then you’re not American enough, so it gets really frustrating.' 

'People don't see me in a romantic comedy': Lucy Liu photographed by Mariano Vivanco. Dress by Gucci

'I can’t say that there is no racism - there’s definitely something there that’s not easy, which makes [an acting career] much more difficult,' she says.

When quizzed on her love life, Liu shows she's no wiser than the rest of us when it comes to guessing relationship status when in uncertain territory.

 

'It’s a mixed bag right now... It’s a giant question mark for me, as well. I wish I could answer - I wish I knew the answer myself,' the Charlie’s Angels actress says.

In the past she has talked of wanting children, but says: 'It just hasn’t happened yet,' adding that she might do it alone at some point.

'My relationship status is a question mark': Lucy in top by Maison Martin Margiela, skirt by Burberry Prorsum

'Having kids... it hasn't happened yet': Lucy, photographed by Mariano Vivanco, wears a dress by Lanvin

In a photo shoot for the eye-opening interview for this week’s Net-A-Porter digital magazine, Liu features in stunning pictures wearing elegantly sculpted graphic dresses and separates by Gucci, Lanvin, Hervé Léger, Maison Martin Margiela and Burberry Prorsum.

In her latest role she plays a female Dr Watson in the CBS television series, Elementary, the most recent reboot of Sherlock Holmes. 

'It was a challenge,' she says.

'It's so steeped in history, you want to keep that temperature, but acclimatise people to something new you're shifting them towards.'

'My favourite role has been Lucky Number Slevin': Lucy Liu wears a red bandage dress by Hervé Léger

When asked to reflect on her favourite roles her answer is Lucky Number Slevin with Josh Hartnett and Watching The Detectives, two movies she admits 'not many people' have seen. 

'Both are special to me because I didn't have to do any kind of action or karate kicks. It was just about the acting, and I was able to stretch my muscles in them,' she says.

'Well, figuratively, anyway.'

Read the full interview in Net-A-Porter Magazine. 

Lucky Number Slevin is one of Liu's favourite movies, which she says 'not many people' have seen

Unlike her iconic Charlie's Angels role, Liu's favourite roles to date include no kind of action or karate kicks

Lucy Liu as Joan Watson and co-star Jonny Lee Miller film a scene for CBS show Elementary in New York