Brenda Song is proud of her heritage — and she’s making sure her children are, too.

The 37-year-old actress, who is of Thai and Hmong descent, reflects on growing up in a “tight-knit” community where language and culture were deeply rooted.

“My parents growing up would only speak to me and my brother in Hmong at home,” Song shares with PEOPLE in this week’s issue. “I’m so incredibly grateful that my parents made such a point that we didn’t lose our language or culture. We are a very tight-knit family. With my parents being refugees, I think it makes you stay even closer.”

Now a mother to two sons — Dakota, 4, and Carson, 2 — with partner Macaulay Culkin, The Last Showgirl actress is passing down those same traditions. “Every single night, my kids say ‘Good night’ and ‘I love you’ in English and also Hmong,” she says. “It’s about helping them understand that this is a part of who they are. My parents, cousins and grandma are here all the time, so it’s nice for my kids to experience both sides of their heritage. I don’t want them to lose that because it’s really easy, especially in LA.”

Song’s pride in her Thai and Hmong roots extends to every part of her life. “I always like to joke that when I started dating my partner, I’m like, ‘Oh, honey, you’re not just dating me. You’re dating my entire family,” she laughs, referring to Culkin, 44. “My mom literally has a room in our house. We also taught Mac how to speak some Hmong, and my grandma brought the boys and Mac traditional outfits, which is amazing.” 

Throughout her career, from The Suite Life of Zack & Cody to Netflix’s Running Point, Song has remained grounded in her identity while demolishing Asian stereotypes in Hollywood.

“I truly believe Disney was ahead of the curve,” she says, reflecting on her breakout role as London Tipton. “They were allowing me to even audition for these roles and to star in my own projects without having this huge conversation behind it all. For kids to see themselves represented on TV in any way is so important. Sometimes you feel like, ‘Oh, is there even a place for me?’ I’ve struggled with that my entire career. Disney was trying to change that. They were mirroring what the world actually looks like.”

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Talking about Running Point, she adds: “I was sort of at this crossroads, having been a new mom, not quite understanding again where I fit in this industry. Then I met with the creators, and within five minutes, I was like, ‘I’ll do anything to be part of this show.’ Working with Mindy Kaling has been really eye-opening because she’s made such strides in the AAPI community, pushing for strong stories and roles for East Asian women. Being able to speak Hmong on the show and represent my community means so much to me. And working with Kate has been such a dream, because, obviously, it’s fricking Kate Hudson.”

Reflecting on her journey, Song shares a message she hopes others will take to heart.

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“Sometimes you walk into a room and think, ‘Oh my gosh, I’m the only Asian actress here. They’re not going to want me because they’re looking for something else.’ But you can’t let that stop you,” she says. “If you love something and you work hard enough, anything is possible. You have to believe in yourself, because if you don’t, no one else will.”

As good as gold.

Kristin Cavallari sent fans into a frenzy as she went braless in a see-through crop top while promoting her Uncommon James summer jewelry line via Instagram Tuesday.

The “Laguna Beach” alum showed off her curves in the sheer knit top as she rocked layers of necklaces and stacks of earrings from her new Haven collection.

The “Let’s Be Honest” podcast host, 38, also went braless in another shot from the photo shoot when she posed in a green tank top and matching lounge pants.

“Serving body and jewelry ofc,” one fan gushed in the comments.

“Should be the heaven collection the way you make it look,” another user posted.

Last June, Cavallari came clean about getting breast implants and a breast lift after nursing her three kids with ex-husband Jay Cutler.

“I did both after breastfeeding. Everyone acting like I lied about it when I never got asked specifically about implants themselves,” the former reality star clarified on Instagram after admitting to having her “boobs done twice.”

“I said in an interview YEARS ago that I had a lift (which, to me, felt like I was revealing more than I actually needed to) but I never once denied implants, ever.”

The “Hills” alum first confessed to getting a breast lift during an Instagram Q&A in August 2022.

“Gonna keep it real with y’all,” she wrote at the time. “Got a lift after breastfeeding all 3 kids.”

The mom of three most recently flaunted her cleavage in a lace-up bustier while attending the Stagecoach 2025 music festival.