Talk Asia
CNN's Talk Asia programme features celebrity interviews, topical discussion and personal insight focusing on Asia's leading business, political and entertainment personalities.
Recent Guests on Talk Asia include:
Joe Odagiri
He took acting class in California by accident, now he's one of Japan's hottest stars, sharing the silver screen with Asia's biggest names and even trying his hand at directing. This week on Talk Asia we meet Joe Odagiri in Tokyo, to get a sneak peek of his latest role, find out what he thinks of being compared to Hollywood Star Johnny Depp and why he almost gave up acting altogether.
Subodh Gupta
He's been dubbed the Damien Hirst of Delhi and is India's youngest contemporary artist to rake in a million dollars at auction. This week Talk Asia meets Subodh Gupta in his studio outside of Delhi to find out why he didn't learn his craft from his teachers.
Thakoon Panichgul
His designs are a favourite of the fashion elite and even admired by America's first lady. This week Thai-American, Thakoon Panichgul shows us inside his label's latest creations, and tells us how this boy from Bangkok made it to the U-S mid-west and then on to the runways of New York.
Yingluck Shinawatra
In a landslide victory, she swept to power as Thailand's first female Prime Minister. Now, the sister of the former Thai leader Thaksin Shinawatra, is facing a her biggest challenge yet, dealing with the country's worst floods in living memory. This week on Talk Asia we're at Government House in Bangkok to speak to Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.
Charice Pempengco
She's the teenager with the big voice who's stunned audiences around the world. That voice took her from talent shows in the Philippines to appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show and a part on hit TV show, Glee. This week Talk Asia talks to rising star Charice Pempengco about how singing was her escape from a life of poverty
Gary Locke, U.S. Ambassador to China
He's the first Chinese-American to become the U.S. Ambassador to China, and his low key approach has made him an internet sensation. This week Talk Asia meets Gary Locke in Beijing to discuss diplomacy, his Chinese ancestry and his sudden popularity. Plus we follow him as he returns to his ancestral village of Taishan in China's south.
Julia Gillard
Australia’s first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard sits down with CNN's Anna Coren in her official Sydney residence, Kirribilli house. Their candid and in-depth conversation ranged from Australia's new carbon tax, to how Australia deals with asylum seekers and Australia’s ongoing military commitment in Afghanistan. The Welsh-born PM also talks about how she continues to stay on top in the cut-throat and male-dominated world of Australian politics and why she is confident she remains the best person to lead the government.
Monisha Kaltenborn
In the high octance, male dominated world of Formula One, there is one woman who won't miss a race. This week on Talk Asia we meet Monisha Kaltenborn, Chief Executive of Sauber F1 and the sport's first ever female CEO, to find out how the Indian born, Austrian national made her way to the top and remains unafraid of challenging the status quo.
Zeng Fanzhi
Zeng Fanzhi is the man behind some of China's hottest contemporary artwork. He was catapulted to fame after one of his works fetched a record breaking price. Now, he's one of the most revered artists in the country. This week Talk Asia meets the master painter at his latest exhibition in Hong Kong and discovers what keeps him a collectors' favourite. Plus he takes us on a special tour of his eye-catching studio in Beijing.
Lobsang Sangay
As the Dalai Lama's political successor, Lobsang Sangay has big shoes to fill. Born in India and Harvard educated Lobsang Sangay is now the Prime Minister of the Tiebtan government in exile, though he has never been to Tibet. Talk Asia travels to Northern India to talk to the first man elected to assume the top political post from the Dalai Lama.
Sung-Joo Kim
South Korean businesswoman Sung-Joo Kim made a name for herself in the male-dominated business arena by turning a tired European luxury brand into a major international label. She also introduced high-end western brands to South Korea by licensing Gucci, Yves Saint Laurent and Marks & Spencer.
Born into one of Korea’s most privileged yet conservative families, Kim tells CNN’s Paula Hancocks how, despite being disowned by her father, she defied her traditional upbringing to become one of the most successful Korean entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.
Eric Schmidt
Google is regarded as one of the greatest business success stories of the past couple of decades. What started off an idea by grad students and has turned into a multi-billion tech empire. The man who held the position of CEO for 10 years and led the company through a successful IPO is Eric Schmidt. This week, Talk Asia catches up with him in Tokyo to find out why he handed back the CEO reins to Google co-founder Larry Page. Plus, he explains Google stance on concerns of cellphone location tracking and how it deals with countries that block internet services to its people.
Hayao Miyazaki
He's regarded by many as the world's greatest living animator. Hayao Miyazaki not only created the Academy Award winning 'Spirited Away', but has also been the creative force behind masterpieces such as Princess Mononoke, Howls Moving Castle and Ponyo. Among the stars who have lent their voices for English versions of his films include Cate Blanchett, Lauren Bacall, Liam Neeson, Matt Damon and Claire Danes. His films have even won the support of Hollywood heavyweight Harvey Weinstein and the admiration of Pixar's John Lasseter. This week Talk Asia meets the master animator in Tokyo and travels with him for a very special screening of his latest film in an area of Japan devastated by the recent tsunami.
Charles Chao
Charles Chao is the man at the helm of one of China's leading web portals and its wildly popular microblog. His web company, Sina.com, currently has more registered members than Facebook and is dramatically changing the Chinese media landscape. This week on Talk Asia, Kristie LuStout goes inside Sina's Beijing headquarters to speak to the President and CEO about China's internet industry, the country's strict censorship laws and how Sina is embracing the West.
Ed Westwick
For the past five years, Ed Westwick has been playing an American bad boy on one of television's most popular shows at the moment - "Gossip Girl". But this career-making role almost slipped out of the British-born actors fingers. Talk Asia meets Ed Westwick in Manila to find out more about how he nearly missed this golden opportunity. Plus we find out what it was working alongside Hollywood heavyweights like Clint Eastwood, Clive Owen and Jude Law.
Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Sir Ranulph Fiennes has led more than thirty expeditions to date. The former SAS officer has scaled the earth's highest peaks, is the first man to cross the antarctic unaided and he's also discovered a lost city in the Middle East. This week Talk Asia meets the man known as the world's greatest living explorer and a man who continues to inspire adventurers around the globe.
Yuna Kim
She's regarded as royalty in her native South Korea after winning gold at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. Now the 20 year old figure skater is trying her hand at television presenting as she hosts her own show. This week on Talk Asia, we meet Yuna Kim in Seoul to talk about her accomplishments and her longevity in the sport. Plus, the world champ gives us a special look at her in action during training.
David LaChapelle
He shot to fame snapping pop cultures biggest icons and still sets critics alight with his controversial social commentary. Talk Asia meets photographer and artist David LaChapelle in Hong Kong to talk about rediscovering his artistic roots and what the man behind the lens thinks of his own work.
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono sits down with Talk Asia's Andrew Stevens in a rare, wide-ranging and in-depth discussion on the state of the country. He outlines Indonesia's ambitious economic growth plans, discusses challenges including corruption and democratic reforms plus his plans for a greater international role for his country.
Tom Ford
Tom Ford is the man with the golden touch. His achievements in fashion and film have created a multi-million dollar empire in his own name and won him a host of A-list devotees. Talk Asia meets Tom Ford in Shanghai at one of his recently opened stores in Asia. He shares stories with Anjali Rai about his childhood in Texas, his rise to fashion greatness plus we find out what drew him to the story of "A Single Man".
Aerin Lauder (available until
31 Dec 2011)
Talk Asia meets cosmetic heiress Aerin Lauder. Following in the footsteps of her pioneering grandmother Estee Lauder, the 40-year-old is building on the brand that's become synonymous with beauty around the world. The show meets the mother of two in her hometown of New York and follows her to Beijing to find out about the label's latest moves into Asia.
A-mei
For more than 15 years, Taiwan singer A-mei has been winning over fans and critics with her unique sound and style. Born into an indigenous tribe in the country's east, the 38 year old is staying true to her roots and using her aboriginal upbringing to influence her music. Talk Asia meets A-mei in Taipei to talk about her award-winning success plus we find out why she was temporarily banned from mainland China.
Sigourney Weaver
For the past three decades, Sigourney Weaver has earned herself the affectionate title of "The Queen of Sci-Fi". But the Hollywood veteran has proven to be much more than a firm favourite of fantasy films and is regarded as one of the movie industry's most versatile actresses. Talk Asia's Anna Coren meets the Oscar-nominee to find out how her male co-stars deal with her near 6-foot frame plus we find out if rumours of a "Ghostbusters 3" are true.
Zaha Hadid
Zaha Hadid is known for pushing the boundaries in architecture and design. Now, the Iraqi-born architect has left her mark on southern China. This week, Talk Asia talks to the Pritzker Prize winner about her latest eye-catching creation in Guangzhou and the pitfalls of being female in a male-dominated industry.
Pele
He's the boy from Brazil who became the undisputed king of football. This three time world cup winner has long since hung up his goal-scoring boots but he's still a global ambassador for the game he once dominated. This week Talk Asia meets the Brazilian sports legend Pele who gives us his insights on the state of the game today.
Avril Lavigne
It's been nearly ten years since Avril Lavigne first stormed the music scene and assumed the title of "Canada's Princess of Punk Rock". Since then, she hasn't strayed too far from the charts and is once again pleasing fans with her new album "Goodbye Lullaby". This week, Talk Asia catches up with Avril Lavigne in Hong Kong to find out about her recent divorce to Sum 41 singer Deryck Whibley, her foray into fashion and why she rebelled against her record label.
Ratan Tata
Ratan Tata is one of India's most respected business leaders and is responsible for steering his century old family business through good times and bad. This week, the never-married Mr Tata gives Talk Asia a very revealing interview about success and succession. He also takes us on a rare, personal tour of his re-buit Taj Hotel which was the scene of the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks.
Kumar Mangalam Birla
He's one of India's most influential businessmen. Kumar Mangalam Birla has transformed his family company into the country's first, true, multinational corporation. Talk Asia meets the multi-billionaire to discuss business, strategy and India's place on the global economic stage.
Hiroshi Mikitani
Forbes Magazine has named him one of Japan's richest and at the age of 45, he's also the youngest in the list's top ten. Hiroshi Mikitani is the man behind the country's biggest e-commerce company, Rakuten. The cybermall has already made inroads into China, Europe and the U.S. but the Harvard graduate now wants it to be a global household name like Google and Yahoo. This week on Talk Asia, Hiroshi Mikitani explains his bold plan to be more internationally competitive by making English his company's official language by 2012. Plus he dishes out advice to the country's politicians on how to kickstart Japan's sluggish economy.
Dadawa
Dadawa is a pioneer of modern Chinese music with a sound and style all of her own. This week on Talk Asia we go backstage with the pop star turned indie artist, and discover what drives her quest to preserve Asia's musical heritage.
Feng Xiaogang
He's the man behind China's most successful film of all time. Breaking box office records with his cinematic re-creation of one of the country's deadliest natural disasters in his film 'Aftershock'. This week on Talk Asia, we're on set with director Feng Xiaogang, talking about comedy, censorship and what it takes to make blockbuster movies in China.
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