Alissa Iris - Model, Actress, and Cultural Writer

GuestsSeason 4

Apr 19

In this episode of Death in Cambodia, Life in America, I sit down with Alissa Iris, a Los Angeles–based model, actress, and cultural writer whose work explores beauty, media, and modern womanhood through a Southeast Asian lens.

Alissa shares what it was like growing up Khmer American in California’s Central Valley, struggling to see herself reflected in the world around her, and slowly learning to embrace her identity. From directing backyard self-portraits at 12 years old to modeling for brands like Fenty, Levi’s, Nike, and ULTA, her journey has been shaped by both resilience and intention.

We spend time unpacking colorism in a way that feels both personal and global, exploring how Eurocentric beauty standards shaped her experience in the U.S., and reflecting on how, in Cambodia, those ideals shift toward Korean and East Asian influence. Alissa reflects on seeing women lighten their skin, wear mismatched foundation, and adjust their features to fit a different standard even when their natural complexion and features are already beautiful.

We also talk about how the modeling industry reinforces these hierarchies, from being labeled “ethnically ambiguous” to not being seen as “Asian enough,” and what that reveals about who gets centered and who gets pushed to the margins.

This conversation is about visibility, authenticity, and what it means to take up space as a Khmer woman in industries that weren’t built with us in mind.