Jon M. Chu, the producer, writer and director, fresh off the set of “Wicked,” will be USC’s 2024 commencement speaker.
“Jon has brought joy to millions around the world, including me, through the dazzling worlds he creates as a filmmaker storyteller,” USC President Carol Folt said in a statement to Annenberg Media. “He is deeply invested in ensuring diverse communities are represented. It will be special for our students to hear from someone whose dreams and determination contribute so much to cinema and creative arts.”
Chu graduated in 2003 from the USC School of Cinematic Arts with a BFA in film & television production and said he is humbled to come back to his alma mater to speak at this year’s university-wide commencement. The ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Alumni Park and seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis.
“I remember dreaming in my dorm room,” Chu said in an interview with Annenberg Media. “I remember walking along those halls and making my student films.”
The 44-year-old filmmaker directed the acclaimed romantic comedy “Crazy Rich Asians” in 2018 and the musical drama “In The Heights” in 2021. His films are known for their lively music, lavish sets and elaborate dance scenes. He also directed the new musical, “Wicked,” which is scheduled to be released this November, starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
Chu is the son of immigrants. His mother was born in Taiwan, and his father was born in Sichuan, a province of China. They emigrated from Hong Kong to San Francisco in the mid-1960s. He said he uses his films as an outlet to talk about his cultural identity, which is especially evident in the vibrant, Oscar-nominated “Crazy Rich Asians.”
“A movie is a small gesture. It doesn’t change the world, but maybe it can plant a seed,” Chu said. “Never underestimate the power of planting a seed.”
Chu attributes his success to the stories his parents shared with him. He shared how his parents instilled in him the belief that he could achieve anything in America. Chu drew upon this positive energy in his work, despite his screenwriting professor’s doubts in musicals, he believed anything was possible.
“Everyone living right now has the opportunity to make a difference,” he said.
He also spoke on the benefit of being a member of the Trojan community, as Steven Spielberg noticed him for his short film from when he was a student. He said he still appreciates his professors, specifically shouting out Brenda Goodman, who still teaches film production classes, and Everett Lewis, who still teaches animation courses, at USC today.
Beyond SCA, Chu said he is grateful for the opportunity he had to get to know such a diverse crowd at USC, from his roommate, who was part of ROTC, to athletes, to members of the marching band and classmates from his dance electives. Chu continued this legacy of helping Trojans — as his newest assistant is a senior from USC. He also funds an endowment, the Jon M. Chu APAA Cinematic Arts Scholarship, which helps several students complete their USC education.
Growing up Asian American, Chu says he avoided confronting ideas of diversity and acceptance because he wanted to blend in with everyone around him. It wasn’t until he made “Crazy Rich Asians” that he said he finally confronted his cultural identity crisis and made what he wanted.
While at USC, Chu won the Princess Grace Award and also the Dore Schary Award award from the Anti-Defamation League: An international non-governmental organization specializing in civil rights laws to combat extremism and antisemitism.
“I feel like the whole world is going through that same cultural identity crisis,” he said, speaking on the current campus climate. “The internet has brought us all together even more so than ever before. We are all roommates, and roommates fight.”
He believes these issues will only be resolved through talking, communication, forgiveness, learning and listening.
“I feel so excited to share my journey,” Chu said.
He’ll join the impressive list of USC’s previous commencement speakers, including Marvel President Kevin Feige in 2023, athlete Allyson Felix in 2022, then-Rep. Karen Bass, now LA’s mayor, in 2019, actor and comedian Will Ferrell in 2017, journalist Christiane Amanpour in 2012 and astronaut Neil Armstrong in 2005.
“I feel very privileged actually, to be able to speak to these young people who are going to be changing the world in the future,” Chu said.