Crazy Rich Asians director Jon M Chu has called a ”disgusting” scam surrounding the film’s sequels a “direct attack” of Asian American actors.
Chu was outraged to find that a Twitter user named Alan Baltes, claiming to be a casting associate, announced that the film’s two follow-ups were casting for lead roles via what he described as “live Zoom auditions”.
Baltes requested he be paid a $99 “submission fee” by those who wanted to be considered for roles.
Chu told Variety: “I kept reading it, and when it said ‘99 dollars,’ I was like, ‘This is f***ed up.”
He continued: “There’s so many scams like that in LA anyway and to actually target, specifically, Asian actors, was very frustrating.
“Asian American actors finally get the opportunity or the hope that there are roles and parts out there – people have this light inside of them to pursue this dream that they never thought was possible before, and to take advantage of that and know that you can take $99 for a fake audition is just disgusting,” Chu added.
“To put on top of that this time, when we’re being othered and we’re being attacked on the streets, is even more disgusting.”
Baltes, who protested his innocence to Variety, blocked Chu, but not before the director notified Warner Bros’ legal department after becoming aware of the tweet.
Baltes emailed in response: “Someone sent me the information and was misrepresenting himself as being with casting. The person is no longer in contact with me after I enquired further. They were attempting to get me to send them money for casting calls.”
In 2018, Baltes seemingly made money for a similar post associated with Jurassic World: Dominion, which prompted director Colin Trevorrow to write: “Anyone who requests money for an audition isn’t on the level.”
Baltes’ account is now deactivated.
