Hu has held a lifelong interest in singing and dancing and has also been interested in martial arts since her early childhood . Hu 's cousin was a successful model in Japan , and Hu decided to follow her example . Kelly Hu won the title of Miss Hawaii Teen USA and competed in the Miss Teen USA 1985 pageant , becoming the Miss Teen USA pageant 's third titleholder in history and its first Asian American winner . Hu has mentioned in interviews that her mother had told her America was not ready for an Asian as such a prominent role model . She discovered after winning that she was prohibited from appearing in non-contest related activities for the year of her reign , though this rule was changed in later years
Miss Teen USA 1985
Miss Teen USA 1985
Kelly Hu