It’s estimated that 1.9 million people will travel by air this Thanksgiving to spend it with friends and family – about twice the amount as last year when people were more apprehensive about the spread of COVID-19.
Numbers still aren’t where they were pre-pandemic, but whether you’re visiting loved ones this year by air, land or sea, it looks like more people want to start resuming their holiday traditions while, hopefully, continuing to stay safe. That includes partaking in at least one big feast.
So, who’s coming to dinner? Are you hosting a feast, or did someone invite you over and ask you to bring the pumpkin pie? Either way, chances are there will be plenty of food to go around, especially if Thanksgiving is happening at a Latine household.
With that said, it’s probably OK if you add a couple more guests to your Thanksgiving dinner plans. No, Tio Manuel can’t make it this year. Something about owing Tio Chelo money, so let’s call someone else. Who would be your fantasy guest for Thanksgiving dinner? And what side dish would you ask them to bring?
Here are seven Latine celebrities who have plenty to be thankful for this year. We’d like to invite each of them over for turkey, dressing and all the sweet potatoes they can eat.
1
Salma Hayek
The Oscar nominee’s year was bountiful. Hayek starred in four movies – Bliss, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, Eternals, and House of Gucci – and her name was recently added to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Hayek has plenty to be thankful for this holiday season. Hayek also likes to show off her cooking skills on social media, so we’re asking her to bring the calabacita to this year’s potluck dinner. Saute some zucchini, poblano peppers, tomatoes, and spices, and we’ll be ready for battle against any superhero villain Marvel can throw at us.
2
Bad Bunny
The rapper has done just about everything – from winning Latin Grammy awards to collaborating with brands to being named one of the most influential people by Time magazine. Bunny also made his acting debut on Netflix’s Narcos: Mexico. Since Bunny is so busy, we’ll ask him to bring something quick and easy. How about an oven-roasted vegetable medley with broccoli, mushrooms, red peppers, cauliflower, and extra carrots?
3
Oscar Isaac
No one had a better year than our Hollywood crush Oscar Isaac. He recently starred in the epic, sci-fi drama Dune and was also cast in a new Marvel TV series as the title character Moon Knight. Then, there were his amazing performances in the HBO Max series Scenes from a Marriage with Jessica Chastain and the film The Card Counter. We’re going to tell Isaac to make things easy, he can just bring a bottle of Guatemalan rum, but only if he promises to use his +1. We know who he’s bringing.
4
Roselyn Sanchez
The actress found a new home on TV with the reboot of Fantasy Island, which premiered this past summer. The series was just renewed for a second season, and Sanchez is really living in a fantasy world with all the success she’s having. We’ll ask Sanchez to bring Puerto Rico’s national dish, arroz con gandules, but we’ll have to make sure Bad Bunny doesn’t go back for thirds.
5
Clifton Collins Jr.
This year, the actor delivered the best lead performance of his career in the sports drama Jockey. It’s a role that deserves an Oscar nomination, so we’re campaigning for it now. Along with Jockey, Collins Jr. will be seen in Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro’s Nightmare Alley later this year. Since he’s having such a sweet year, hopefully, he’s up for another challenge and can bring over some pumpkin flan for dessert.
6
Cardi B
Could you even imagine what a Thanksgiving dinner would be like with Cardi at the table? We could. Hella fun! We don’t know if there would be any time to eat with all the questions that we would want to ask her. What was it like working with Halle Berry on the Bruised soundtrack? When can we go visit your mansion in the DR? Why didn’t you wear one of your outfits from Paris Fashion Week to dinner? Cardi’s side dish is easy. We wanna try those pupusas ASAP!
7
Camilo
The singer and songwriter just landed a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Pop Album for Mis Manos. He also just brought home four Latin Grammy awards last week for Best Pop Vocal Album (Mis Manos), Best Pop Song (“Vida de Rico”), Best Urban Fusion/Performance (“Tattoo” Remix), and Best Tropical Song (“Dios Asi lo Quiso”). A few Aborrajados de Plátano (Ripe Plantain Fritters) will work as a classic Colombian side dish. Add some guava paste to the mozzarella and Camilo might have a second calling in the kitchen.