Crazy Rich Asians might not be fiction after all

If you haven’t heard, Crazy Rich Asians movie is about to hit the screens on August 22. We take a look at some real-life examples who really should have movies of their own.

She’s crazy and she knows it. But oh, does she have ways of drawing us into her mesmerising madness. After admitting herself into a psychiatric institution in 1977, Ms. Kusama bent convention by freely exhibiting her nervous disorders, paranoia, and hallucinations through her hypnotic art pieces. 

The popular artist, who turns 90 next year, is one of the most sought-after living female artists in the world today. Her White No. 28 (1960) sold for over US$7 million at Christie’s New York, and entry tickets to her Tokyo museum sell out within hours. Kusama knows how to turn dotty into dollar — and we love her for it.

Photo: yayoikusama/Instagram

ALSO READ: HOW TO LOOK CRAY-STYLISH ACCORDING TO CRAZY RICH ASIANS’ CONSTANCE WU

Better known as the widow of legendary John Lennon, Yoko Ono is one controversial lady. Blamed for the break-up of the Beatles, arguing with band members over songwriting credits following Lennon’s death and her outwardly bohemian lifestyle have all added to her infamy.

Her artistic efforts have also drawn mixed reactions, from praise to blatant irritation. Her Voice Piece for Soprano and Wish Tree, a performance piece that had her screaming into a microphone at the MoMA, New York, had the museum actually turning down the volume on the mic after complaints about the noise from visitors and employees. But there’s no doubt that the woman commands attention. Her net worth is estimated at around US$600 million. Imagine that.

Photo: yokoonoofficial/Instagram

ALSO READ: SINGAPORE’S SIX ‘RICH KIDS OF INSTAGRAM’

The Alibaba co-founder has been called crazy many times — that is, before the company set a record as the world’s biggest public stock offering, raising US25 billion on the New York stock exchange in 2014. Today, the e-commerce site is valued at around US$113 billion. Ma’s management style is unorthodox — he admires Forrest Gump, frequently sang at karaoke sessions with employees, and never pretends to know what he doesn’t. At events, he isn’t shy about performing, recently taking to the stage to do an impression of Michael Jackson at a company gala in 2017.

In 2002, at a Harvard speech, a foreign company CEO didn’t believe Ma’s approach to management would work. But after a 3-day visit, the same CEO shared, “Now I understand. Here you have 100 mad men just like you.”

Image: Shutterstock

ALSO READ: HOW TO LOOK CRAY-STYLISH ACCORDING TO CRAZY RICH ASIANS’ CONSTANCE WU

The famous socialite and businesswomen from Thailand is known to for setting up the Maneemondcha Foundation, which provides scholarships for the underprivileged. A dog-lover, she’s also used the foundation to look after 500 canines. So what’s the catch? Have a look at the pictures of the 81-year-old, and you’ll see why she’s known as Thailand’s Barbie. She claims to have only had eyelid surgery.

Whisper her name in any top auction house, and they’ll recognise the daring antique buyer for her penchant for outbidding even the Sultan of Brunei. 

Photo: sumanee_gunakasem/Instagram

ALSO READ: SINGAPORE’S SIX ‘RICH KIDS OF INSTAGRAM’

The Taiwanese B-grade actress who’s now a stay-at-home-mum of three is known for her, erm, generous ways. She notoriously rose to fame — not because of her acting and modeling career — but by getting pregnant out of wedlock. Her baby daddy? Hong Kong casino billionaire, Ji Xiaobo. With a current net worth at an estimated HK$6 billion, and a luxury apartment valued at over HK$2 billion, she’s #madeforlife.

Her Instagram is at turns funny and sexy, with Wu posing in various locations, including supermarkets. Only luxury ones, of course.

Photo: pace_wu/Instagram

ALSO READ: HOW TO LOOK CRAY-STYLISH ACCORDING TO CRAZY RICH ASIANS’ CONSTANCE WU

Her name might not immediately ring a bell, but if I were to mention “Korean Air heiress” and “nut rage”, you might recall the 2014 scandal that involved a bag of macadamias. In 2014, Cho Hyun-ah, also known as Heather Cho, was in line to succeed her father as chairman of the company (she was the vice-president of the airline). But then, she ordered a taxiing plane to turn back at JFK airport so she could eject an airline staff. Their mistake? Serving her macadamia nuts in a bag, instead of on a plate. Cue outrage and media coverage worldwide, leading to her resignation.

Nuttiness runs in affluent family, it seems. Cho’s younger sister, Emily, was once accused of throwing a cup of plum juice at an advertising firm manager. 

Photo: Vnx.fr

ALSO READ: SINGAPORE’S SIX ‘RICH KIDS OF INSTAGRAM’

He’s saving the world with his recycling business, which has turned him into one of China’s top 400 richest people. But this eccentric billionaire might sometimes draws the wrong kind of attention. He partakes in prolific philanthropic stunts, like giving away cash to the poor — but not before taking a photo of himself standing behind a wall of money. His efforts to push the green cause have seen him go so far as to sell “canned air”.

He’s even changed his family’s names, saying that he will now be known as Chen Ditan (low carbon), while his wife has taken on the name Zhang Luse (green). His daughters are Chen Huanbao (environmental protection) and Chen Huanjing (environment). And recently, he posted a K-pop style video of himself on his Weibo account, celebrating his recent weight loss. 

Photo: Chen Guangbiao/Weibo

ALSO READ: HOW TO LOOK CRAY-STYLISH ACCORDING TO CRAZY RICH ASIANS’ CONSTANCE WU