Melissa King Opens Up About Changing Stereotypes Through Media Representation

Melissa King is using her platform to make a difference. During Bravo’s Amplify Our Voices: An Open Dialogue on Being AAPI in America, which featured a conversation between Tiffany Moon of The Real Housewives of Dallas and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills newcomer Crystal Kung Minkoff and was hosted by MSNBC’s Richard Lui, the Bravo’s Top Chef winner discussed her mission to inspire change. 

When asked to weigh in on the statistic that women are “twice as likely” to face “hate incidents, hate crimes and hate violence,” Melissa opened up about the negative stereotypes that are often promoted in media. 

“I think a lot has to do with the media, and I’m talking about the media in movies and films, and sexualizing women. All of that creates this stereotype and image that women are these submissive, sexual beings, and then that’s where the violence starts with it all,” Melissa explained in the clip above. “I think changing the media, or having people that are in the positions of power to change those roles and not conform to the stereotypes can really help that.” 

The chef went on to explain the various ways she’s creating a positive impact, explaining, “We have the weight of the world on us, in a way, and I want to do as much as I can to support all the communities that I belong in to amplify those voices.” 

“For me, it’s a lot of supporting other small businesses and shouting them out, showing who they are, their real identities,” Melissa continued. “Also, with my virtual cooking classes, supporting charities that I believe in. The next class that I’m going to do is going to support Stop AAPI Hate. So, just being there and trying to show the authenticity of businesses that I care about, and even using my own voice to amplify all that.” 

Melissa shared more information about the April 9 Stop AAPI Hate cooking class on Instagram, writing, “The rising violence against my community, the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community, is a painful reminder that racism still exists and we must work towards a way to create a safe environment for everyone.” 

“Please join me in my next virtual cooking class as I teach you an all around favorite dish, Kung Pao Chicken, and let’s help stop AAPI hate together. $5 of every purchase will go to support [Stop AAPI Hate]—a national collective that tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning and child bullying against the AAPI community,” the post continued, also adding that those unable to attend the live event can access the recording to create the dish on their own timeline.