Kristi receives special honor at the 2008 JCPENNEY ASIAN EXCELLENCE AWARDS®

LOS ANGELES, April 24 --

The 2008 JCPenney Asian Excellence Awards(R) was held at UCLA's Royce Hall yesterday, attracting some of the hottest stars in film and television. Hosted by Carrie Ann Inaba (Dancing with the Stars) and Bobby Lee (MADtv), Hollywood players came out in force to honor Asian and Asian Americans' accomplishments in the arts and entertainment, sports and business. The 2008 JCPenney Asian Excellence Awards will air on E! Entertainment Television on May 1 at 6 p.m. ET/PT, 5 p.m. CT and will be available on Comcast on Demand, beginning May 7. In addition (to the television and film honors), the Asian Excellence Awards presented two honorary awards. YouTube co-founder Steve Chen was presented with the Pioneer Award and Olympic Figure-Skating Champion Kristi Yamaguchi received the special Inspiration Award.