In recent years, the demand for more Latino representation has flooded the media industry, as we’ve seen a continued lack of Latino actors in Latino roles.
Now, I understand that in this century, we’ve seen more Latinos in films and television, such as Pedro Pascal, Oscar Issac and even Jenna Ortega— our latest heart-throbs. However, what I notice is that, although they gain attention for adding culture to a cast, their roles don’t reflect this.
One example is Pedro Pascal, the Chilean-American actor playing Reed Richards, the white protagonist in “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” or even Joel Miller, the white protagonist of “The Last of Us” series on HBO.
If you’ve been up to date on any social media news outlet, as I have, you may remember the most recent controversy with Odessa A’zion being cast as Zoe Gutierrez, a Mexican-Jewish character in the A24 film adaptation of “Deep Cuts.”
Although she may not have auditioned for the role of Zoe Gutierrez, the company’s attempt to have her play the character left Latino audiences appalled. Appalled for one main reason: the movie writer’s unconscious decision to change Zoe’s background from Mexican-Jewish, to one that would more accurately fit Odessa’s background, German-Jewish.
Many accused the company of trying to “white-wash” the character with A’zion’s background. A’zion, although sticking to an aesthetic that could potentially come off as ethnic or racially ambiguous, is in fact, German and Jewish, defeating the purpose of the role entirely.If you look close to ethnic, you’d fit an ethnic role. If there’s no trace of Latina in a character meant to act as representation in a coming-of-age movie, what exactly does that hold for the story?
After receiving criticism from her fanbase, A’zion decided to drop the project entirely, stating on Instagram, “I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie…I’m OUT.” However, this apology sparked another discussion for Latino audiences: How many actors are being neglected by companies that choose popular actors to play roles that don’t accurately represent the culture they are meant to portray?
An interview with Alexa Demie sparked my interest, as she talked about her personal struggles of simply being a Latina actress in a world full of blonde actresses who fit what casting directors are looking for.
“I just don’t think I would be typically looked at for a lead role. You never see a mixed or a Latin girl as a lead,” she said in a podcast interview, shining light on the mistreatment of Latino actors. After the controversy, over 100 Latino individuals in the media industry wrote an open letter to Hollywood demanding more Latino representation not just as actors, but as greenlighters, executives, writers and producers.
The main role Latino actors find themselves gaining, especially if they’re aiming for Latino characters, is the stereotypical Mexican-American with a “broken family role.” This, however, doesn’t touch the surface of what these Latino actors have experienced, felt or even lived.
Take David Casteñada, for example, one of the many who signed this letter. In his film, “El Chicano,” he plays the part of José (Shotgun), a Mexican-American whose father gets killed in the beginning of the movie, which leads him to become a gang leader under the name Shotgun. Now, as I said previously, the issue is that oftentimes, these cheesy, stereotypical roles are handed to Latinos on a platter because we fit the stereotype as dangerous, gangsters, and broken. However, I believe this needs to change.
The letter addressed the main issue in the entertainment industry: the lack of Latinos in leadership positions such as casting directors and executives. This is extremely harmful to the industry.The open letter united multiple well-known actors such as Xochitl Gomez, John Leguizamo and Jessica Alba. The latter two’s most recent roles are not gaining as much attention as they once did in the 2010s, further emphasizing the lack of Latino roles available for Latinos.
Now, where does that leave us? In a time where Latino representation is as needed as ever, the letter has yet to be acknowledged and taken into consideration. Echoed by the letter, “The absence of Latina[/o] audition opportunities… signals a broader, ongoing erasure of our community from the stories that define our culture. This is not about any one actor or project. It is about a system that repeatedly overlooks qualified Latino talent even as our identities, histories, and experiences fuel the most enduring stories.”
Without the talent and stories brought by our Latino representation, how exactly will our roles be fulfilled? Will we be left off being replaced or represented by people who don’t share the same culture or background as us? Will another non-Latino fake an accent to play our roles? Or will we be slightly listened to, choosing actors of Latino cultures to represent cultures different than their own, such as America Ferrera, a Honduran-American Actress, playing Ana Garcia, a Mexican-American girl in the movie “Real Women Have Curves”?
According to NPR, only 7% of all media employees are Latino and 3% are Latina. We as Latinos have a right to be included in media, and being overlooked isn’t an option when it comes to roles that personify us. Latinos continue to fight for their beliefs, and this comes with sacrifice. More than 100 Latinos in Hollywood sacrificed being blacklisted from what they love most, in hopes that their letter will make a difference.
All we know is Latinos in the industry won’t give up so easily, and I hope that their message will be recognized. I hope to see leading roles that aren’t just filled with cliché gang violence, but ambition and diversity as well.
