an honest convo about my racial identity

After a full week of #AAPIMonth heritage events, this conversation surfaced on the pod first and I wanted to share my thoughts here as well! the podcast discussion will be in tomorrow's (tuesday may 21st) episode and I provide a lot more context and history around my family's experience in the internment camps. I've had to do a lot of my self discovery offline, but with the timing of AAPI Heritage month there's been an influx of AAPI related ~feedback~. Hoping that some of you can relate to my thoughts and struggles with my racial identity and being of mixed descent.
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[@mystical_pegasus]

Lauren, about your racial identity, NO ONE but you can have a say it in. You are freely able to label yourself however you see fit whether it's Asia, multi-racial, bi-racial, Canadian, etc. As a bi-racial/multi-ethnic person, I have totally feel you on how someone's words can affect you greatly based on how you act, your habits, dress, etc. There is no one clear way to act as an individual let alone a person who has multiple intersectionalities for their identity. My siblings and I all identify differently cause of intersectionalities and that is all okay. We are all strong, individual people who are bi-racial, one might be lighter than the other, but that doesn't make them less than compared to the other siblings. Just based on our outer appearance, our manners, habits, etc doesn't make us less than who we are. Also racial identities are not a one-stop be all kind of thing, it is a journey.

[@laurDIYvlogs]

this was incredible feedback and I really appreciate you taking the time to comment!!! totally makes sense re: you, your siblings and intersectionalities! I'm totally on the same page as you.

[@mystical_pegasus]

@@laurDIYvlogs of course. I also love watching you because I can see representation as a fellow multi-racial person and I enjoy your content. Event though I am half black and half white, I see myself in you a lot of time. Thank you for everything!

[@gigiquijano4993]

I felt the hurt & relate to being called white washed. As someone who was born here, but truly identify w/my filipino chinese heritage I still grew up being called an oreo, white washed a coconut simply because I spoke english primarly, it always hurt & then called overly sensative. TY for having the convo ❤

[@mystical_pegasus]

@@gigiquijano4993 yes. I totally understand you and how you feel. People can plain rude cause they are still not used to the idea of inter-racial children and now it’s become more normal but growing up there weren’t many people that looked like me. I am thankful that right now that I have friends that are multi-racial and we can relate to one another even thought we all have different cultural ties. Remember you are valued and loved and don’t let those hurtful experiences define what you are.

[@user-ut3dy5jz6s]

But no one is Asia that’s a continent and doesn’t make sense to label someone that even if there ethnic is a country located in Asia

[@valerieniemela6822]

I had no idea about your grandparents. I have so much respect and honor for any and all people who lived through WWII in North America and were treated like criminals purely for their physical appearance. And so much respect and honor for their children and descendants for living without pure hatred for the people who wrongly imprisoned them. It's hard to put my words together properly. I guess I'll end it with this: thank you for being honest and real. And respect for you and your heritage!

[@laurDIYvlogs]

ahh thank you for your comment!! I agree on all fronts and I still have a hard time wrapping my head around how not so long ago this all was

[@valerieniemela6822]

@@laurDIYvlogs likewise. It was not even a generation ago and somehow seems so forgotten in America, at least.

[@alyssamatter3223]

You should order a black blazer that can go with any dress so you are not cold

[@kristaclark447]

Gold Mountain.

[@user-ut3dy5jz6s]

@@valerieniemela6822why isn’t anyone talking about it tho

[@chrisa4989]

Observing your bond with Remi is truly heartwarming. Your friendship exudes authenticity, kindness, and mutual support 💖

[@leahchan4863]

as someone who is also half asian, half white and has struggled a lot with feeling/being viewed as whitewashed I really resonate with your perspective. You are truly inspiring. No matter what anyone says, you solely define your identity and that may change as time goes on. I really appreciate you discussing this with us. Much love Lauren ❤❤

[@user-ut3dy5jz6s]

But u r technically white since u r half white idk why ppl like u have a hard time accepting it put urself next to someone of the ethnic u r but is full and not half there more true than someone who is half of it just facts

[@Unsureshelby]

As a half white, half Filipino I totally feel this. My sister is white passing so I had to work through a lot of resentment because we grew up in a predominantly white community and I was the token Asian kid. I’m considered the white cousin on the Filipino side which I also have to work through. Thank you for speaking on this and I need to listen to hat pod episode 🖤

[@nataliexx2]

Lauren, my daughter is half Italian and half Filipino. I am Italian and my husband is Filipino. You are who she looks up to being someone who looks like her. She is a sophomore in HS and has watched you for yrs. As her white mom my heart hurts for her when people misidentify her. She gets Latina all the time. It upsets her when she tells them she is half Filipino they tell her same difference. Its like they are disregarding who she is. Its heartbreaking as her momma. I can’t wait till she gets home from work and watches this. I know she will feel seen. She gets white washed all the time. Especially by our extended family and it’s so upsetting. Thank you bringing attention to this❤ like i said i know my babygirl will feel seen after watching this:) lets her know she is not alone. And thats huge for a 16 yr old who is already going through enough just being 16♥️

[@nataliexx2]

Sorry i had to edit that. It made no sense at first!! Lol

[@ashleighasuncion]

my mom is italian and my dad is filipino! i get it a lot that i look latina or not fully white. i don’t know much about my dads side so sometimes i have struggled with identify but i’ve gotten use to all the comments! we are a rare mix lol

[@katherinewatanabe]

Thank you so much, Lauren, for talking about your experience as a biracial individual! I know I was so excited when I found you years ago and found out that you are also half Japanese like me! It was so inspiring for me to see someone like you represent someone like me. I have struggled my whole life with being biracial and not feeling like I could own or say that I'm either race because I'm only half. And my grandmother was also in an internment camp in Topaz Arizona. There is so much history, depth, and importance to both my races and I think as an adult I see that more now. But I truly felt so understood by watching you and your life online. Thank you for speaking on this! ❤

[@krystlerae74]

I stopped breaking down the math for my ethnicity and it’s been an experience and quite freeing. I am this and I am also that. I can be both at the same time. I don’t have to justify to anyone why I look the way I look and neither do you. Even if we don’t share the same Background, I still you as representation. 💜

[@casperthefriendlydog4857]

I've been watching since the very beginning, and have felt like I coule always relate to you. I'm Asian-Canadian, living in St. Catharines, and I'm currently pregnant with a child who will be mixed. Being Asian-Canadian is already hard enough, being mixed is a step further that can be incredibly complex. Your (and your family's) experiences matter, and you sharing your life is really impactful. Thank you for sharing!

[@jenbyers3840]

Thank you for sharing your family history. I'm half Cup'ik, so I should be considered American. However, growing up in a small farming townI was made well aware I was different. I was one of 3-5 non-white kids growing up in the town my dad brought my mom to after they married. When she was young, the Jesuits came, gave them new Amaericanized names & made them quit their spiritual beliefs, forced them to learn English, set up an Americanized school & wear "American" clothes. They even moved their village to "New Chevak." My mother was so devastated she prayed to move to the lower states & she chose not to share much of her cultural heritage with my brother & I. Again, thank you for sharing & being so honest. Lots of ❤️

[@oliviaholmes2705]

Lauren, I just wanted to express the gratitude I have for your sharing. Your family's history and the intergenerational traumas through the dark and real histories of Canada is something that is so real and I am sure it shows up in indescribable ways. The resilience that your grandparents have deep within their spirits most definitely lives on in you. You have started such an important conversation here. Thank you for you courage and your thoughts, I am listening intently. Love you Lauren

[@snackie.]

Thanks for sharing some insight into your family's history. I learned about the Japanese internment camps in school and it's definitely stuck with me as an Asian growing up in Vancouver. Simply seeing the property values today and knowing some of that generational wealth was taken away from Japanese-Canadians by our gov't is an injustice that I feel hasn't been reconciled for all the displaced families. I hope you and your family consider archiving your collection in Vancouver as well.

[@RealMomDIY]

Thank you so much for your thoughtful comments ❤ The University of Victoria has archived so much of this history through their Landscapes of Injustice project. We were able to find valuable documents related to my mom and dad’s interment such as their Hastings Park registration cards, and an appeal for compensation for the seizure of my grandfather’s car.

[@bh2420]

Thank you for sharing. Your message is so important and inspiring for others who feel a bit lost in their identity. I am Chinese, my parents are from Hong Kong but I have been born and raised in the UK. Similar to you, grew up in a very white area. There were 2 other Chinese girls in my year and that was it. I have been told on occasion “yeah but you’re basically white”. Never knowing it could trigger something inside of me that people deem me as white when I feel and am, Chinese. I discovered you years ago from your Wanderlust videos with he-who-shall-not-be-named but it introduced me to the Asian girl squad. Seeing you girls represent us in the world is so important and so refreshing. I still follow you guys and it makes me feel a little less lonely being in a white area. Watching you all (especially Remi) celebrate our different Asian cuisines and our heritage is so important for young people to normalise this if they also feel like me. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@meidy9415]

Thank you so much for sharing your story, I’m so sorry your family had to go through such a difficult and horrifying time. You are such a huge inspiration for me and helped me so much in discovering my own identity and loving myself. Love you so much girliii 💕💕💕

[@lauren1518]

i comment on every q and a to talk about ur experience being wasian so glad its finally coming up after all these years!! like im so curious about ur experience existing as a fellow wasian lauren ahahah

[@dan19120]

Thank you so much for talking about this topic. While i am not Asian American I am African American i went to an all white high school and mostly lived in predominant white states as an adult and married to a white man. I have been told many of the same thing. My family and black friends say im trying to be white and have been white washed and I'm "trying to be white" such a frustrating and angering thing to go through. Following creaters like you who are just themselves have helped me be ok with just being me and living my best life so thank you for just being you 😀

[@kyliecheng]

Hi Lauren, thank you so much for sharing about your thoughts on your racial identity. It was super insightful to hear a little more about your family's story, and if you are willing, I think it would be really awesome if you could go into more depth about the things your grandparents faced and the journey to you and your story in another video! Thank you for being such a great role model for us young Asian kids in the past who have all grown with you into adults!

[@MadisonDawson-bn9hl]

LOVING these long vlogs lately! Been watching you for about 7-8 years now & you/your content never gets old to me. Always will be my fav KZbinr, and although I have throughly enjoyed all the wedding content & everything else, I would love to see some more old school DIYs! That’s what brought me to ur channel in the first place & I really miss seeing them, feels like it’s been forever since you’ve made one! Hope to see more soon.

[@laurDIYvlogs]

I've been doing lots of short form old school diys recently!! over on ig reels + tiktok and also THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR KIND WORDS 😭💖

[@Reeae]

Really loved this type of dialogue about your racial identity development. As someone who is biracial (half Japanese, half white) like you. And really valued you naming this process and talking about this. Love 💗 the Asian representation you offer. Don’t let others name your identity, but a beautiful balance of talking about how privilege, assimilation, and westernization has influenced your development. Proud you talking on this dialogue :)

[@emms7558]

lauren!! i'm a little late but i've been watching your videos since i was a kid and i was so excited to see the title of this video and am so so so so happy to hear you talk about this. i feel so passionately about this subject as someone who is half vietnamese -- i literally wrote an entire paper on it for one of my classes in university :') it feels so good to hear you resonate the same feelings i've felt my whole life of people trying to place you into one box or the other but then feeling like you couldn't every quite fit into either. i can't imagine what it's like to have that happen on such a blown up scale growing up online. for a lot of my life my asian identity was something that i held a lot of guilt in talking about because i never feel like i was ever explicitly targeted for the way i look on the outside like my mom and her sisters were or like how my fully asian peers were. it was only recently that i've come to accept that no matter if i fit society's preconceived notions of what it means to look or be asian that it is a part of my identity and my legacy that i am tasked to carry on into my future. my mom and her family have such an incredible story like i'm sure your ancestors do as well and it's so special to be the ones that get to carry that with us and represent them and their hard work proudly. i just wanted to thank you for being my wasian diy queen rep growing up and now-- sending so much love to you and your family!!

[@madisynvenable3205]

Thank you for sharing something so personal with us 🥹☺️🧡 I would love to hear more on your family history and the things that you know! Loved this vlog and love you 💛 Keep killing it 😎

[@mirandahotchkiss4727]

Please have Cody and Kelsey on the podcast!!

[@cehsiee]

Can we talk about blueberry muffin being the absolute star! Love you Lauren, Jeremy and doggos ❤

[@laurDIYvlogs]

blueberry muffin is truly everything 🥹

[@gravitygrace8585]

Not sure if this would be something you would be comfortable sharing but I think it would be so cool if you could do a podcast segment or even full episode about your family's history (or however much of your family's history you feel comfortable sharing) from Japan to Canada and what that was like for y'all. I'm an American currently living in East Asia now and I'm doing my best to understand the complicated history between my own country and the region of the world where I live now, and after following you for so many years, it would be so, so interesting a valuable to hear about that if you felt comfortable sharing. Stories like this deserve to be heard, thank you for sharing what you have!

[@sophiakaufmann2791]

i’ve always been a silent viewer but i followed you years ago (back to school video vibes) and i’m also wasian and have grown up watching you! my mom is also japanese and i see so many similarities between us. i’ve always looked up to you and now i’m 21 and i feel like your transformation and how you’ve grown up has really resonated with me! much love

[@kimberlymahoney8437]

Thank you for taking the time to talk about this topic!! As someone who is mixed it's been a challenge to always feel like I'm never enough of one side. I identify with them all. Thank you 💕

[@TinaDaQweena]

Omg I almost teared up 🥹 when you were talking about your racial identity. Thank you for sharing about your family! It definitely hurts to be called whitewashed and not Asian enough! I'm Vietnamese-American (fully Viet) and I went to visit Vietnam when I was 12 (due some tough circumstances) and felt like we were discriminated by the people who are living in Vietnam. They didn't like it when we became westernized. BUT You are truly an inspiration to many! And it was nice to see more Asian representation on KZbin when I stumbled upon your and Remi's KZbin way back then that I still follow til this day!

[@laurDIYvlogs]

I've heard that sentiment echoed by many friends when they visit the country of their origin!! you are definitely not alone in that, thank you for your comment girly!

[@CamrynCarter-wx2es]

love this video!! I subscribed to your channel a few days ago and I just wanted to say that i really enjoyed watching your videos! you are truly amazing💗💗

[@sandrafernandez3839]

Lauren, thank you for sharing about heritage. People have to understand that when you live in countries that have one dominant culture of course we are influence by it. But I do look forward to you sharing more stories about both sides of your family, you have a rich heritage so please share more!

[@Elizabeth-M2024]

I’m so sorry you’ve felt that way about being mixed. People can be horrible. I would love a sit down video of you just talking about your family history. I feel like a lot of people aren’t aware of the internments camps set up here in BC (there’s a small heritage village in Steveston regarding this).

[@whatsupitsme6557]

IM SO HAPPY FOR A NEW VLOG!!

[@starlitmoon1212]

The orange dress is so stunning on you!!! That's YOUR color! and I love the cut. Your look and Remi's compliment each other's so well too!

[@ariannejacmic]

Thank you for sharing what your grandparents went through. As a white Canadian, we are often not aware of/taught the true Canadian history. this opened my eyes to other points of view and made me look into it more.

[@miaturner6519]

As an Asian American myself that has been called “white washed,” it is so refreshing to hear your perspective. I have been watching you for almost 8 years and it has been so amazing to have a creator that does look like me. I don’t have many Asian Americans within my community so having you was so wonderful growing up! So much love for you Lauren!

[@anitaabraham1800]

I would just like to say that you were so well spoken when talking about your racial identity. So many people get told that they are not enough to be considered one ethnicity or the other. My dad is Hispanic (born in Puerto Rico) and my mom is white ( a big mix of European generations back). I used to get told there’s no way I’m Hispanic or “why are you and your siblings so white if your Puerto Rican” or “how are you not fluent in Spanish if your dad is Hispanic”. I don’t think many people who aren’t mixed realize how much you internalize thing when someone questions who you actually are as a person.

[@bethanytyree6485]

Thank you for sharing your story and I’m sorry for your families experiences. I would love to hear more about yours and your families experiences if you are open to it. I feel like, especially, you and Eugene on the podcast having this sort of conversation would be so great for a multitude of reasons

[@abbyantonia]

their kids having fun and playing with all the dogs was so cute

[@veronicasvideodiaries]

I love how colorful your aesthetic is! Your wedding was stunning, the floral bouquet was so pretty, plus the dresses you've been wearing and obviously all of your diys are all so happy and colorful(:

[@pjdava]

LaurDIY Vlogs, You're so talented! I had to hit the like button!

[@amandahoyt9727]

Thank you for your story! I am Korean born, adopted and raised American in a tiny country town in upstate NY with little to no diversity. But I have family members who are Vietnamese/ Japanese/ and Pacific Islander who speak their native languages and practice their cultures- even in a predominantly white family. I get called white washed All the time and struggled a lot through the years to understand and accept my racial identity. People who have always known me- see me just as me; but in school as a kid- new kids always saw me as an outsider or foreigner and as a working adult- I’m often questioned about everything cause I don’t quite fit. I’m glad KZbin has you and so many other wonderful, diverse, people that kids and adults can look up to and feel represented by.

[@jocie5666]

I really love your content. I am half Korean and my mom was adopted from Korea when she was a baby. She grew up in Iowa so the Asian influence didn’t make its way to me really. I love seeing other people in this world with similar experiences to me with not feeling welcome by either side. Thank you for sharing ❤

[@natalieraeann]

For next AAPI month you should have momdiy and maybe even your papa on the pod to talk about your family’s story!! That would be so cool and interesting to listen to!!

[@victoriam650]

Thank you for talking about this. It’s something I’ve struggled with being mixed race as well, and a conversation that still upsets me to this day when someone calls me “whitewashed”. I still don’t know how to respond to the comment when it’s made. The only thing I feel comfortable doing is defending my boyfriend who is equally mixed race as I am, but white passing. He gets the comment so much more than I do because I “look” Mexican, and he doesn’t. I’ll forever feel connected to this issue, so thank you again.

[@HAppytobeHer]

Raising my biracial kids in a third party country, I felt this so hard. I hope that these kinds of conversations never stop evolving and people stop putting each other in boxes. Multifaceted people exist! Love you

[@sionv2009]

I really appreciate you talking about your racial identity. I'm mixed race too; mum is Japanese, dad is white British. I grew up in Japan and didn't feel Japanese enough (being asked "where do you come from?" in your hometown ain't fun) and I didn't feel like I fit in. When I moved to the UK, I was excited that I'll finally fit in. I didn't. I still feel like an outsider.

[@shellyclayton202]

Thank you for sharing! Such important conversations to have & share with one another! Blessings xx

[@otherjulie]

Hey, you are Japanese, I am Chinese. Being two races is 2 identities, not half of each. Love you. Also my Ah Poh also had a big ww2 story as a child.

[@sandrar2629]

Love you Laur 🤍 thank you for sharing about your heritage and being vulnerable with us. i can relate to you since my parents are from another country and i’m first gen so i never felt like i “fit in” anywhere, but over the years i’ve tried mixing myself in because i know i KNOW my heritage and no one should be able to invalidate that.

[@rk8659]

You doing the flower arrangement is a whole another level of wifey era 💅🏼 love to see it 😆

[@Khob]

the way my jaw dropped when Nymphia Wind started performing at that event

[@laurDIYvlogs]

NO SAME

[@latenightmurmur]

I'm so happy that your family is gathering back your own history, it is so important to do that

[@HONGJULIE7304]

I'm full Filipina 🇵🇭 but grew up in Canada, so also Canadian (Niagara Falls - so I feel ya girl). I went to the Philippines for the first time recently, and just posted a vlog about it. And someone left a comment under my video, "you're not Filipina, you're a westerner with Filipino descent" I was so annoyed, and had to explain it to him but he was so closed minded and so annoying to talk to so I gave up.

[@flowerboy9222]

The red dress is EVERYTHINGGG

[@whitneydionne]

Thank you for speaking on your racial identity! As someone who is also a halfie ✌🏼 seeing you in the media has been so affirming and validating in my racial experience! I appreciate you giving the space to talk about your identity and your grandparents ❤❤❤sending all the love

[@lenalauren9596]

Hi Lauren! I don't usually comment on KZbin videos, but I just wanted to express that I have felt so similarly as a mixed person (I am half Viet and half Finnish). I'm an anxious, 21-year-old college student who struggles on a daily basis about where I fit into the world-and similar to you, I also grew up in a predominantly White area. I didn't even really pay attention to my own racial identity until coming to college, where I realized how differently I am perceived among others. I once had someone tell me that I couldn't be offended by my past roommate using racial slurs because she wasn't and she was a "full person of color." Lol, I don't really have much more to say, but I feel weird ending my comment with that sentence. Love the pod and how much husband Jeremy supports you in your racial identity experience/journey. Sending love from Seattle!

[@ViaLee103]

As an Asian adoptee who was raised by two white parents and was also a bit of a late bloomer in recognizing my racial identity, I SO appreciate you sharing your story. Also your dress at the gala, SLAY.

[@amberspade15]

i’m excited to watch as always girl!👏🏽💗

[@kaileychaplin-shiga4292]

Hey Lauren as a half white half Japanese girl from Hamilton Ontario who also had grandparents in the internment camps and struggle a lot with identity I so appreciate this video, it is nice to see and hear from people that feel the same struggles I do, feeling less alone❤🇨🇦

[@loliMercado]

Hey just an idea make a documentary going into history of ur grandparants. Something that will give a closer look into that part of history bc a lot of books can give broad idea but a real people and the reprocutions of future generations would be a facinating take. I know it can be sensitive topic but also a great way to honor your grandparents.

[@lauren1518]

gorl im also a wasian lauren and like u are valid with whatever half u identify with more it doesnt make u less than a whole :)

[@TheCurvyPlanner]

Just wanted to say my husband said you are his favorite KZbinr/influencer I watch bc you seem genuine and real. lol! Loooove everything that was included in the PR bag and didn’t know some of those brands were AAPI owned. Definitely added a lot to my wishlist after watching… lol

[@jpouliotable]

If you get a chance, read Obasan. It's an amazing book about interment camps in Canada and one family's journey, memories....

[@martinaschlagl3882]

Thank you for being so open with us and sharing this part of your and your family's history!

[@jessicalopez6913]

Very relatable about identity. I’m half Mexican and deal with very similar issues when it comes to others that want to identify me as or outcast me from

[@hannalauritzen7015]

this topic made me feel SEEN! Growing up bi-racial, with a white dad, and a Japanese mom like you was so challenging. Not being fluent enough, and not sharing the same morals or styles was something I also battled with and still am today. And I also agree that the comment "whitewashed" is so degrading especially because I want to be able to be able to show that I am Japanese. thank you for touching on this topic, all of us half-Asian girlies don't feel so lonely

[@melissamcleay9818]

I am half Australian and Maltese and half Italian. You are truly amazing person Lauren and my brother married a Japanese lady and there Kids are half Australian and Maltese and Japanese

[@sammierock5441]

As a fellow biracial (white&asian) girlie, I have always found you to be a powerful representation. I completely understand the feeling of not feeling Asian enough for Asian only spaces or white enough to hang with the white side of my family. I’ve always found more relatability with other biracial ppl, like you. I did have one biracial person give me advice that I found really helpful and is a mindset I try to take: “you’re not 50% one thing and 50% another thing, you’re 100% both” Hope this is helpful and/or reassuring!

[@Vivinna09]

My dad came over via boat from Italy to Australia, and the same for my granddad but from England to Australia. I got teased in high school so bad that I ended up quitting three years into it. I was in a semi rural town where a majority of the families were x generational to the area. I would get called half breed, told to go back to where I came from, I was also called a wog in a derogative way. I also have the olive skin and I was called a dirty wog, that I should bathe better, buy some soap (wasnt well off growing up). It got worse when I would have eczema flair ups as they would just look like dirty patches of skin. I was once told I should wash better, though I’m not sure if the teacher meant it in a derogative term but it didn’t hurt any less. I ended up withdrawing from a lot of people, became painfully shy. I didn’t get out of it till I attended university.

[@samanthakube2081]

Would love a full florals DIY video!

[@jasmineerose]

love seeing you and jeremy just living life🫶🏼 also love you talking about your racial identity, as a mexican american, born in the states, i related to a lot of what you talked about even with a different race/ethnicity🫶🏼

[@kaya6250]

Where did you get your phone case? I love it! 😍

[@rk8659]

Not the pup reminding me to hydrate in the end 😂

[@KyndraBarroga]

Lauren! I’m a Filipino/white girl. I hate when people say that im “not Asian enough.” You are enough. I look up to you because you are Asian and look similar to me & because you are a fucking bad ass.

[@nicolelremy9122]

Waking up & watching a new video of yours first thing in the morning while having breakfast is EVERYTHING!❤️🫶🏻 (I’m in Australia lol, a Peruvian in Australia 😊) been watching you since 2015 :) looove your videos & content!

[@em._.6125]

Girl, I legit put this video off because I was doing finals and I knew I was gonna cry and low and behold I'm crying!! As an asian adoptee into a white family the in between of constant rejection and impost syndrome is so real, I empathize and I'm down to throw hands at the people who think they get to dictate your and our identities

[@ashley-nicole6605]

As a fellow mixed asian, i felt so much of what you've said. Honestly you were and still are as i've gotten older representation i needed as a wasian 💕

[@millie4608]

great vlog! love your lauren!!! we are all here to support you xxx

[@ceilihigh]

My friend/co-worker just had to have an emergency root canal this last week. Work has been rough without her😮‍💨 Also, the puppers' party was the cutest thing ever! 😍🥰

[@gracefully6538]

Lauren I am about to tell you somethings about my husband. My husband is Asian and he is Nepali. He came from Nepali which is the oldest country in Asia. He came here to America with barely any money a few years ago. He worked so hard and grew. I met him 8 and a half months ago. When I first met him I thought he was Indian. Even though he is 25% Indian, he has 75% Nepali in him. He identitys as Nepali only. Even though Indians and Nepalis are almost the same he is Nepali. Also another thing is people think that Nepalis aren't Asian, but he is. I don't like the word White Wash. I hate that people think white people are trashy. To be honest I like being white because I was born this way, like you should like white and Asian parts in you. We should all like what race we are because that is what we were born with. Anyway what I am saying is no one should not accept you because you are white, Asian and etc.

[@brielynhumphries7483]

Where did you get the black dress in the start of the vlog? It’s so cute!!! 💕

[@MadisonDawson-bn9hl]

She said it’s from revolve.

[@brydiesimpson]

Omg what dress is the black revolve called I need that for an event!!!! Please and thanks 🫶🏻🥹

[@LaurenKiyomi]

I totally feel you on the racial identity part. I’m 100% Japanese American, but don’t speak any Japanese. My family also was incarcerated in internment camps during WWII in the US. Most of my family doesn’t speak Japanese because we have been in the US for generations. I think it’s eye opening for people to hear what our family and ancestors have been through.

[@gabyylucky13]

I am so proud of the person you are. How you handle yourself and deal with the internet. Thank you for making a place in the internet full of fun, love and self expression. Love you so much❤PS trader joe’s really needs to open a store in Puerto Rico. Those cookies looked 😍🤤

[@SailorNeptunebubbles]

I will say as a half Japanese/half white(who does live in Canada but did in USA), I have reflected in my racial identity for quite a long time. However for me it was because growing up I grew with my mom who was white. I remember always be asked if I was adopted as my older sister I share with my mom looked much more like her than me. When I was with my dad, there was never any question about me being his child. I will say also as a kid and I’m sure you could have been similar looked much more “Asian” or at least I did. Nowadays I struggle sometimes I feel like Asian identity as I feel like I have started to look much more white. Some people could possible struggle to know if I am Asian or not. My great grandparents and my grandparents were all in camps. They were forced to relocate to Ontario after when they were previously out in BC. I do know my dad and his siblings don’t speak any Japanese. That mostly died with the older generation which is unfortunate but also their family heritage and history. I have often struggle to know more about my Japanese family.

[@adrewbreesfan1792]

I need to know what kind of boob tape remi uses and what brand of chicken cutlets do you use haha

[@Sama-ui2re]

would you ever take a japanese course amd learn the language?

[@pjdava]

LaurDIY Vlogs, This made me laugh so much! Thanks for sharing!

[@user-lj2ri6ps9l]

Thanks for sharing your story! These conversations are so important. If you are open and willing, I am conducting a research project about Asian American racial identities as it pertains to online content creators. Your insights would be invaluable. I emailed you the details! Thanks!

[@dreameryplease]

thank you for sharing your thoughts on your racial identity! I loved listening to it

[@lenamae1612]

I’ve NEVER been this early😂❤ Heyy Girly🥰

[@janicek5537]

Hey Lauren, you looked amazing in the 1st black dress. Was wondering what’s the name of it? The one with the corset and half lace cup front ?

[@3lc0rr3A]

Thanks to Jeremy now we need the Quadruple Cream Merch hehe

[@ellenmooreee]

As a half Japanese girlie who is white passing, I’ve always struggled with feeling “Asian enough” so this was really validating to hear ❤

[@hannykhan1254]

Both Queens look gorgeous. The hair, the makeup, the dress , the glow, the vibes , the personality. Remi 🩵 lauren🧡

[@funnyfungirls1]

as a fellow wasian, loved this conversation :)

[@deserabailey8500]

OMG REMMY!!!! You have never looked better my gawd! Holy cow STUNNING!!!

[@audreymanatee]

thanks for sharing!! ive always wanted to know more about your racial identity. also you seem so much more calm and authentic in your videos. so happy for you!!!🎉

[@jasminecrawford9102]

As half white and half Japanese as well! I soooo get it! My grandma had to live through the World War in Japan, and for people in Japan to treat me “not as them” and for people in main America to say “I’m not Asian enough” 🤣 I’ll never win, but I live in Hawaii and have never loved myself less since 🥺🫶🏼

[@ArcadiasAngel]

Where is the dress from

[@SomeStarChild.]

The avocado retinol eye melt is my absolute favorite!!! I always repurchase.

[@laurDIYvlogs]

omg love to hear it!!!