It’s impossible not to admire just how gorgeous Asian women are, especially when we see them on the big screen.Naturally, everyone can instantly recognize the “tried and true” Asian actresses, but what about some fresh new faces? Don’t they deserve the spotlight, too?
Here’s a short list of the most beautiful and not-so-famous stars with roots from different parts of Asia, including Japan, India, China, Pakistan, etc.
1. Naomi Scott
This half-Indian and half-British actress’s career blew up after the teen comedy series Life Bites and Lemonade. She achieved widespread recognition as Princess Jasmine in the 2019 live-action Aladdin and starred in the Charlie’s Angels reboot and Smile 2 in 2024. Recently, she appeared in Netflix’s Anatomy of a Scandal. When asked how she feels about being half-British and half-Indian, Naomi said that she’s learned it’s OK to feel about both sides of her cultural heritage.
2. Alia Bhatt
Alia Bhatt has inherited acting and filmmaking from her parents, Mahesh Bhatt and Soni Razdan, who have made a significant mark in Bollywood. At just 31, Alia has already won five Filmfare Awards and has been a regular on Forbes India’s Celebrity 100 list since 2014, making her one of the highest-paid actresses in the country. In 2023, the actress made her Hollywood debut in Heart of Stone, where she starred alongside Jamie Dornan and Gal Gadot.
3. Simone Ashley
Most of you probably recognize Simone Ashley from Bridgerton’s second season. Despite being born to Indian parents who were extremely protective of their little girl, Simone’s love for showbiz prevailed. Despite her parents’ reservations, she eventually moved to Los Angeles and almost instantly got a tiny role of “party girl” hanging out in the background in 2015’s Straight Outta Compton. Since then, Simone has appeared in Detective Pikachu, Broadchurch, and Sex Education, among other projects.
4. Avantika Vandanapu
Avantika has been following her true passion ever since she was a kid. Her phenomenal dance skills earned her second place in Dance India Dance Lil Masters in 2014. Even though Avantika’s acting career started much later with a debut in Brahmotsavam, her actual breakout performance came in 2021’s Disney movie Spin. Soon after, Avantika starred alongside Rebel Wilson in the comedy Senior Year, and in 2024, she was cast in the Mean Girls reboot.
5. Anya Chalotra
This 29-year-old British beauty of Indian descent is probably best known for playing the sorceress Yennefer in Netflix’s series The Witcher. However, that was not her last big Hollywood performance. Far from it! Between The Witcher seasons, Anya has been busy with The Cipher and many voice-acting gigs, like Twilight of the Gods and Creature Commandos.
6. Auli’i Cravalho
Did you know that a 16-year-old girl from Oahu, Hawaii, voiced Disney’s freedom-loving heroine, Moana? Auli’i Cravalho has since taken on roles such as Ariel in The Little Mermaid Live! and Lilette Suarez in the TV series Rise. Her raw talent and dedication place her as one of the top Asian actresses under 25, and it’s only the beginning.
7. Lily Chee
Lily Chee grew up in Brooklyn, yet her genetic makeup is diverse. Lily’s father, who is Chinese-Malaysian, and her mother, who is Irish-Scottish, have contributed to her unique beauty. Lily’s first breakout role was as the younger version of Elektra in Netflix’s Daredevil, showcasing her emotional depth and charm. Chee has also starred in a series based on DC Comics—Gotham.
8. Shioli Kutsuna
Most of Shioli Kutsuna’s work has been in dramas and action films, where she often portrayed strong and relatable characters. But then, one day, Detective Conan knocked on her door, and she was cast as Ran Mori, marking a significant milestone in her career and introducing her to a wider audience. Of course, starring in Deadpool 2 as Yukio was a pleasant surprise to many, so now we’re waiting for more Kutsuna.
9. Ritu Arya
Ritu Arya, a British-Indian actress, has landed a significant role in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie movie. Known for her work in Doctors, she earned a British Soap Award nomination early in her career. Arya’s second-biggest hit so far was the role of Lila Pitts in Netflix’s The Umbrella Academy. And, hopefully, there’s more where that came from!
10. Iman Vellani
Securing the role of Kamala Khan in the miniseries Ms. Marvel was not easy, but Iman Vellani, a Pakistan-born Canadian actress, elevated that superheroine to the next level with her immaculate charisma and acting prowess. Vellani has already reprised her role in the full-featured MCU hit The Marvels, where she co-starred with Brie Larson and Teyonah Parris. We’re excited to see what comes out of the next Avengers movie!