By Samantha Sandow
On a quintessential Manhattan fall evening this October, the Princess Grace Foundation-USA will honor acclaimed filmmaker Jon M. Chu with the prestigious 2025 Prince Rainier III Award—the Foundation’s highest accolade.
The award will be presented by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco at the Princess Grace Awards Gala on Wednesday, October 29th at The Plaza Hotel in New York City.
Celebrated for his work on Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights, and the two-part Wicked adaptation, Chu will be recognized not only for his artistic impact on modern cinema but for his enduring commitment to giving back. The evening also honors the rising community of emerging artists in theater, dance, and film.
For Chu, the honor is deeply personal. More than two decades ago, he received a Princess Grace Award as a student at the University of Southern California, a milestone that shaped his creative journey.
“To now receive the Prince Rainier III Award, which honors not just artistic excellence but a commitment to giving back, is a profoundly humbling reminder that I’m still part of that family and continuing the cycle of support she [Princess Grace] began,” Chu shared.
In the spirit of the Foundation’s mission, Chu has chosen to donate the award’s accompanying $25,000 grant back to the Princess Grace Foundation-USA. This full-circle gesture reflects his legacy of artistry and generosity.
