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Fresh Off the Boat star Constance Wu has had a heck of a movie career. First, Crazy Rich Asians was a monumental hit and landmark for a studio movie with an all Asian cast. Then Hustlers was a hit and even generated Oscar buzz (boo to the Oscar snubs). Now she’s finishing up Fresh Off the Boat’s sixth and final season.

Cardi B and Constance Wu in Hustlers
Cardi B and Constance Wu in Hustlers | STX Financing, LLC

Hudson Yang plays Eddie Huang on Fresh Off the Boat and Wu plays his mother Jessica. Yang spoke with Showbiz Cheat Sheet at the ABC party for the Television Critics Association on January 8 and we spoke about Wu’s latest movie. Hustlers is now on digital, DVD and Blu-ray. Fresh Off the Boat airs Friday nights at 8:30 on ABC.

Constance Wu has some costars who aren’t old enough to see ‘Hustlers’

Born November 1, 2003, Hudson Yang grew up on Fresh Off the Boat. He’s still only 16, and Hustlers’ R rating means he would have to be 17 to buy a ticket.

Fresh Off the Boat: Hudson Yang
Hudson Yang | ABC/Richard Cartwright

“Six years, 1/3 of my life and it’s been incredible,” Yang said. “Not only have I grown up but I’ve watched the other two brothers grow up too. It’s just been like a wonder. I remember first season when we were so small. Looking back on those photos is just wild. We’ve changed so much all together.”

Constance Wu and Randall Park have become second parents

Before Hustlers, Constance Wu played Hudson Yang’s mother. She’s also taken on some maternal qualities behind the scenes. 

“Constance is so talented,” Yang said. “She’s done so much, she’s taught me, she’s been like a mother to me over the years. It’s awesome.”

Constance Wu in Fresh Off the Boat
Constance Wu in Fresh Off the Boat | ABC/Mitch Haaseth

Randall Park plays Eddie’s father Louis Huang. Yang said Park is a role model for him too.

“I’ve learned so much from both of them,” Yang said. “One thing is that Randall is like my idol. He’s the kind of guy I want to be. He’s super nice, super funny, super caring, he’s literally the nicest guy ever. I don’t think anyone else really embodies the spirit of Randall.”

‘Hustlers’ is still too grown up for the ‘Fresh Off the Boat’ kids

The R-rated Hustlers is a gritty crime drama about strippers who drug and rob wealthy Wall Street clients. There really were New York strippers who perpetrated this crime. Wu played Destiny, a fictionalized character. Her mentor in Hustlers was Ramona (Jennifer Lopez), who first taught Destiny how to work a pole, then developed the scam with Destiny and other dancers.

Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu in Hustlers
Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu in Hustlers | STX Financing, LLC

Hustlers earned its R rating for language and some violence. There may be a little nudity from background dancers, but the stars like Wu and Lopez don’t quite bare all. Still, it’s close enough that Hudson Yang isn’t quite ready to see Hustlers when he turns 17 this year. Besides, Yang said, Wu warned him not to.

“She warned me there’s a lot of stuff I didn’t want to see in it but I’ll see it eventually,” Yang said. “Seeing my mom as a stripper is kind of weird, you know.”

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