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The Washington Post

What’s the first thing you do when the Smithsonian requests an iconic look from your wardrobe? Why, turn them down, of course.
Comedian Ali Wong, starring in the Netflix romcom Always be My Maybe, made a name for herself on the streaming giant with the 2016 stand-up special Baby Cobra. She was seven months pregnant with her first daughter during filming, and the baby bump skimming dress Wong wore onstage became a thing.
During a recent appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Wong was asked what became of the dress that had starred in so many Halloween Instagram posts.
“The Smithsonian actually asked me to donate it,” Wong said.
Author Jean Kwok turns her own family tragedy into moving tale about love, loss
“For real? You gave it to them, right?” Kimmel asked.
“I said no at first,” Wong replied.


OK, let her explain. Wong, who said she bought the now-discontinued US$8 dress from H&M, had hoped to save it for her daughter one day. But the actress had another daughter two years later and decided she didn’t want the siblings to duke it out over the now iconic fast fashion moment.
So Wong, who added that it was an “honour” to have her dress in the National Museum of American History’s famous collection, relented but has yet to actually get the dress to Washington.
“I have to wash it because there’s all this probably pregnant juice on it still,” joked Wong.


But seriously folks, she is honoured. Wong added that her father, Adolphus Wong, who died in 2011, would be especially proud. The anaesthesiologist, Wong said, was always in her corner, showing up to her grittier bar gigs and standing to be acknowledged by the small crowds after her dirtier jokes.
“Even when I was struggling, he was so supportive,” Wong said. “I think about him seeing that costume at the Smithsonian, he would probably be outside that museum every day.”


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Fashion

Why Ali Wong said no to the Smithsonian when it wanted to display her US$8 Baby Cobra dress

Ali Wong’s dress caused quite a stir.

Ali Wong

How Keanu Reeves helps Randall Park and Ali Wong find love in Always Be My Maybe

Randall Park and Ali Wong in a scene from Always Be My Maybe. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix

Daniel Dae Kim and Ali Wong in "Always Be My Maybe." MUST CREDIT: Ed Araquel, Netflix

This undated image shows Randall Park in a scene from the movie "Always Be My Maybe." The newly released Netflix movie is an Asian-American rom-com with a twist: ethnicity isn't central to the plot. (Courtesy of Netflix)

US actress Ali Wong and actor Randall Park arrive for the Netflix world premiere of "Always Be My Maybe" at the Regency Village theatre on May 22, 2019 in Westwood, California. (Photo by AFP)

Ali Wong and Randall Park play childhood friends who reunite as adults in "Always Be My Maybe." MUST CREDIT: Ed Araquel, Netflix

Ali Wong and Randall Park on "Always Be My Maybe." (Ed Araquel/Netflix)

Always Be My Maybe director Nahnatchka Khan, Ali Wong, Randall Park and Keanu Reeves at the premiere of the Netflix film. Photo: AFP

‘Of course I’m scared’: outspoken actor Anthony Wong on his Hong Kong future, and acclaim for Still Human

Anthony Wong celebrates winning the Best Actor award at the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards 2019 in Tsim Sha Tsui for his performance in Still Human. Photo: Sam Tsang

Best Actor Anthony Wong Chau-sang, photographed in Tsim Sha Tsui for the 38th Hong Kong Film Awards. 14APR19 SCMP / K. Y. Cheng

Anthong Wong Chau-sang in a still from The Mobfathers (2016)

Crisel Consunji and Anthony Wong Chau-sang in a still from Still Human.

Anthony Wong Chau-sang in a still from Still Human.

From left: director Oliver Chan, Crisel Consunji and Anthony Wong at the 2019 Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy. Photo: Ricky Modena

Lifestyle

Fashion & Beauty


Comedian made a name for herself on Netflix with the 2016 stand-up special Baby Cobra
She wanted to save the dress for her daughter, but has since changed her mind



Comedian Ali Wong made a name for herself on Netflix with the 2016 stand-up special Baby Cobra. She was seven months pregnant with her daughter during filming, and the baby bump skimming dress Wong wore became a thing.


Fame and celebrity

Comedians and comedy

Why Ali Wong said no to the Smithsonian when it wanted to display her US$8 Baby Cobra dress

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;} Comedian made a name for herself on Netflix with the 2016 stand-up special Baby Cobra She wanted to save the dress for her daughter, but has since changed her mind

Comedian made a name for herself on Netflix with the 2016 stand-up special Baby Cobra

She wanted to save the dress for her daughter, but has since changed her mind