From freestyle dance battles to martial arts mastery, Bobo Le brings fire, fun, and fierce representation to the big screen.

Bobo Le is having the moment. The Vietnamese Canadian performer earns her breakout role this year in The Wedding Banquet, the highly anticipated reimagining of Ang Lee’s groundbreaking 1993 romantic comedy. Slated to hit theaters on April 18, 2025, the film has already generated serious buzz for its bold new take—and for Bobo’s unexpected rise to center stage.

Initially cast in a small part, Bobo’s magic inspired director Andrew Ahn and the producers to expand her role, reworking her character into Kendall, cousin to Bowen Yang’s Chris. “I never saw it coming,” Bobo says. “I was incredibly honored and touched when Andrew told me how much he loved what I brought to the character. That moment changed everything.”

She now shares the screen with a powerhouse ensemble that includes Yang, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Youn Yuh-Jung, Han Gi-Chan, and Joan Chen—actors she’s long admired. “We bonded so deeply on and off set,” she recalls. “We watched Couples Therapy, devoured Hot Cheetos, and even hiked Squamish together. Kelly and Gi-Chan literally carried me up a mountain when my leg gave out!”

Meet Kendall: Comedic Girl With a Heart of Gold

Kendall is, as Bobo describes, “your pure, goofy, spontaneous ride-or-die. She’s the kind of person who’ll back your worst idea like it’s a genius plan.” Her character’s light-hearted, unconditional support becomes a vital anchor for Chris, especially during his more existential moments. “There’s a genuine innocence to Kendall,” Bobo says. “She always sees the best in people.”

It’s no surprise Kendall quickly became a fan favorite. “During my callback, I randomly freestyled a dance for the producers,” she laughs. “Andrew laughed so hard he ended up writing a dance scene into the film just for Kendall.”

A Dancer, Fighter, and Force of Nature

Before landing in front of the camera, Bobo made a name for herself in the dance world. A street battle popper with a love for freestyle, she turned heads in 2016 with a solo performance at Hip Hop International. “I love the spontaneity of freestyle—it’s like acting. You never know what’s going to happen until you’re in it.”

She’s also trained in Kung Fu, Taekwondo, and Hapkido, which she says deeply influences her movement on screen. “Martial arts taught me how to be intentional with every motion. It’s helped me stay grounded, present, and expressive in my performances.”

So naturally, she dreams of combining all her skills: “I’d love to play a superhero—especially one with a comedic edge. I was obsessed with Spiderman and Spy Kids 2 as a kid. A quirky, badass character in the Marvel Universe? Sign me up.”

A Love Letter to Identity, Queerness, and Chosen Family

The Wedding Banquet reimagining builds beautifully on the original’s themes of cultural expectation, queer identity, and the complicated grace of chosen family. “It’s a story about love and intention,” Bobo says, “about figuring out what happiness looks like on your own terms.”

For Bobo, the project is personal. “I’m Vietnamese Canadian, and the first Vietnamese American actress I ever saw on screen was Kelly Marie Tran in Star Wars. Now, I’m telling a queer Asian story alongside her—my dear friend. That’s surreal. It means everything.”

What’s Next?

With the film poised to make waves, Bobo’s keeping her heart open to stories that celebrate laughter, chaos, and joy. “I want to take on more comedic roles,” she says. “To play, to explore, to keep having fun.”

And her advice to young Asian performers breaking into the industry? “Don’t be afraid to be you. Your story is your power. There’s space for it now. We need it.

Photography Credit: Kristine Cofsky Photography