Joy Ride will be released this week, and I'm excited to watch a raunchy comedic film with four Asian American women as the leads. Sherry was new to me. I knew Ashley Park and Stephanie Hsu but this film's promotion introduced me to Sherry. I thought it was a stage name made up, but in fact, Sherrina is her real name. Sherry, an actress and comedian, was born in China and grew up in California. She has some acting credits to her name. She spoke to InStyle on her identity, Asian representation and what the movie means to her. Highlights:

She explains how she is similar to the character in Joy Ride: "I spent seven years at college because I was just not studious. I was drinking. Cola says, "I had other distractions so I could relate to Lolo." I think Lolo's character is chaotic and messy, she lacks direction, but she is passionate. "I believe Lolo is definitely bisexual." Cola says, "I'm queer and I feel that all of these identities - being a Chinese-American immigrant, queer - are qualities society has never supported, but which I now embrace as superpowers." "I am also not your model minority and Lolo is definitely not," Cola says. This version of me is, in my opinion, the most authentic, genuine version of myself that I have ever portrayed.

What this film means to her? "It was so special diving into this new territory together. I don't think the public is aware that this hasn't been done before. In the absence of a better comparison, films like The Hangover or Bridesmaids and Girls Trip are big box office hits, bringing groups of friends to the cinema. This kind of comedy hasn't been seen for a long time, let alone featuring these faces. It's just never been done. "It's a breath fresh air. I'm so proud."

Her career goals: "I would like to do more projects with intention and impact this way, because we are multi-dimensional." She says that these Asian faces can't be confined to a box. "I think this is what's happening in real time right now," she says. "We are shifting the narrative and redefining ourselves authentically. We are destroying stereotypes, reclaiming ourselves and our voices.

[From InStyle]

This article was a good introduction to Sherry Cola, but I would have liked to know more about her. It made her seem a lot more like her character in the trailer. The character is cool. She looks so hilarious and really pops out in the trailer. Sherry's own words about her life are interesting. Sherry's profile paints an interesting picture. Her slacking and taking her time in college due to partying, her valuing of passion over direction and her embracing of her different identities, as superpowers, gives a clearer view of her. This movie is important to the people involved because it shows how diverse and complex Asian women can be. It also debunks racist and sexist stereotypical ideas.

Photos credit: Marion Curtis/Starpix/startraksphoto.com, Faye's Vision/Cover Images, InStyle via Instagram