What's the harm in a fetish? On sexualised stereotypes from ex-model and author Kaila Yu
Wed Jan 28 2026
Exploring Asian Fetishisation and Self-Discovery with Kaila YuIn this episode, Layla Maghribi speaks with Kaila Yu, a Taiwanese American writer, model, and singer, about her memoir Fetishised: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty. Together, they unpack the fetishisation of East Asian women in Western media and culture, Kaila’s experiences in the entertainment industry, and the personal cost of navigating visibility, desirability, and stereotype. The conversation explores identity, recovery, self-love, and the ongoing process of healing through self-reflection and culturally aware care.
💬 Topics Covered:
✔️ Asian fetishisation and “yellow fever” in Western culture
✔️ Kaila’s journey through the entertainment industry
✔️ Historical roots of racialized beauty standards
✔️ Family dynamics, identity, and cultural pressure
✔️ Addiction, recovery, and self-reckoning
✔️ Therapy, mental health, and self-love
✔️ Healing as an ongoing, non-linear process
00:00 Introduction to Third Culture Therapy
00:12 Meet Kaila Yu: Author and Entertainer
00:42 Exploring 'Fetishise': A Deep Dive into Kaila's Book
01:35 Kaila's Journey in the Entertainment Industry
02:55 The Impact of Cultural Stereotypes
04:52 Personal Experiences and Family Dynamics
06:13 Defining and Discussing Fetishisation
07:44 Historical Context and Personal Reckoning
13:07 Addiction, Recovery, and Self-Reflection
14:01 The Role of Family and Cultural Background
17:37 Therapy, Self-Love, and Moving Forward
32:14 Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts
🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on mental health culture!Follow Third Culture Therapy on🌍 Substack | 🎧 Apple Podcasts | 🎙 Spotify | 📱 InstagramSupport the show: Like, follow, and share 💛
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Exploring Asian Fetishisation and Self-Discovery with Kaila YuIn this episode, Layla Maghribi speaks with Kaila Yu, a Taiwanese American writer, model, and singer, about her memoir Fetishised: A Reckoning with Yellow Fever, Feminism, and Beauty. Together, they unpack the fetishisation of East Asian women in Western media and culture, Kaila’s experiences in the entertainment industry, and the personal cost of navigating visibility, desirability, and stereotype. The conversation explores identity, recovery, self-love, and the ongoing process of healing through self-reflection and culturally aware care. 💬 Topics Covered: ✔️ Asian fetishisation and “yellow fever” in Western culture ✔️ Kaila’s journey through the entertainment industry ✔️ Historical roots of racialized beauty standards ✔️ Family dynamics, identity, and cultural pressure ✔️ Addiction, recovery, and self-reckoning ✔️ Therapy, mental health, and self-love ✔️ Healing as an ongoing, non-linear process 00:00 Introduction to Third Culture Therapy 00:12 Meet Kaila Yu: Author and Entertainer 00:42 Exploring 'Fetishise': A Deep Dive into Kaila's Book 01:35 Kaila's Journey in the Entertainment Industry 02:55 The Impact of Cultural Stereotypes 04:52 Personal Experiences and Family Dynamics 06:13 Defining and Discussing Fetishisation 07:44 Historical Context and Personal Reckoning 13:07 Addiction, Recovery, and Self-Reflection 14:01 The Role of Family and Cultural Background 17:37 Therapy, Self-Love, and Moving Forward 32:14 Future Aspirations and Final Thoughts 🔔 Subscribe for more conversations on mental health culture!Follow Third Culture Therapy on🌍 Substack | 🎧 Apple Podcasts | 🎙 Spotify | 📱 InstagramSupport the show: Like, follow, and share 💛