100+ Latine Actors & Artists Sign Open Letter Calling Out Hollywood After ‘Deep Cuts’ Casting
Art by Stephany Torres for Remezcla
The issue of representation in Hollywood continues to be a big problem, and Latine actors, artists, and storytellers are speaking up about it. A group consisting of some pretty big names, including Eva Longoria, John Leguizamo, Xochitl Gomez, Jessica Alba, Danny Ramirez, Isabela Merced, and Ismael Cruz Cordova have signed a letter calling to increase the presence of Latine voices in Hollywood.
In the letter, published in its entirety by Deadline, the group specifically asks for an increase in the presence of Latine voices in early stages of development and greenlighting rooms, and of course, the number of Latine actors in auditions and non-stereotypical lead roles. It also mentions creating and supporting pipelines: mentoring, scholarships, and opportunities for Latine creators across the board.
It also directly addresses the controversy over Odessa A’Zion dropping out of the A24 film Deep Cuts after being called out for accepting the role of Zoe Guiterrez, who was Mexican in the book.
“Recent casting decisions around the character Zoe Gutierrez in A24’s Deep Cuts have exposed a troubling pattern. We acknowledge and commend Odessa A’zion for listening, reflecting and deciding to exit the project and become an ally. Yet how did this happen?” the letter says. “The absence of Latina audition opportunities, and the choice to replace a clearly Latina character with a non-Latina actress, 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.”
The letter was reportedly ideated by Xochitl Gomez, who gathered the signatures. Other signatories include Gloria Calderon Kellett, Becky G, Eiza Gonzalez, Melissa Barrera, Michael Pena, and Stephanie Beatriz, among others.
Read the full and updated list of signatures below:
- Aaron Dominguez
- Aitch Alberto
- Alex Lora
- Alma Martinez
- Amanda Diaz
- Ana Navarro Cardenas
- Andrea Chignoli
- Angel Manuel Soto
- Angelique Cabral
- Anna Terrazas
- Annie Gonzalez
- Antonio Negret
- Becky G
- Benjamin Odell
- Brandon Guzman
- Brandon Perea
- Bricia Lopez
- Camila Baquero
- Carla Gutierrez
- Carla Hool
- Carlo Siliotto
- Carlos Eric Lopez
- Carlos Gutierrez
- Carlos Lopez Estrada
- Chrissie Fit
- Christian Serratos
- Cierra Ramirez
- Cristina Rodlo
- Cyria Fiallo
- Daniella Pineda
- Danny Ramirez
- David Castenada
- Desi Perkins
- Diego Boneta
- Edgar Ramirez
- Edher Campos
- Eiza Gonzalez
- Elisa Capai
- Elsa Collins
- Emilie Lesclaux
- Ennio Torresan
- Enrique Melendez
- Eva Longoria
- Fabrizio Guido
- Felipe Vargas
- Fernando Garcia
- Flavia Amon
- Flavia De Sousa
- Francia Raisa
- Gabriela Maire
- Gina Rodriguez
- Gloria Calderon Kellett
- Gregory Diaz IV
- Ilda Santiago
- Isabella Gomez
- Isabela Merced
- Isabella Ferria
- Isis Mussenden
- Ismael Cruz Cordova
- Ivette Rodriguez
- Jacob Scipio
- Javier Munoz
- Jazmin Aguilar
- Jesse Garcia
- Jessica Alba
- Jesus Pimental-Melo
- Jillian Mercado
- John Leguizamo
- Jose Velazquez
- Juan Pa Zurita
- Julio Macias
- Justina Machado
- Karrie Martin Lachney
- Kate Del Castillo
- Klaudia Reynicke
- Kylie Cantrall
- Leo Gonzalez
- Lisette Olivera
- Lorenza Munoz
- Luca Castellani
- Lucila Moctezuma
- Lucy Barreto
- Lynette Coll
- Maia Reficco
- Marcel Ruiz
- Maria Legarda
- Mariana Oliva
- Mariem Perez Riera
- Marvin Lemus
- Mauro Mueller
- Mayan Lopez
- Melissa Barrera
- Melissa Fumero
- Melissa Martinez
- Michael Cimino
- Michael Pena
- Miguel Mora
- Mishel Prada
- Monica Villarreal
- Natalia Boneta
- Natalie Chaidez
- Natalie Morales
- Nava Mau
- Naz Perez
- Nezza (Vanessa Hernandez)
- Neysa Bove
- Nicolas Celis
- Nicole Betancur
- Orlando Pineda
- Patricia Cardosa
- Patricia Riggen
- Patty Rodriguez
- Paulina Garcia
- Petra Costa
- Rafael Agustin
- Rafael Cebrian
- Ramon Rodriguez
- Rene G. Boscio
- Robin De Jesus
- Rodrigo Teixeira
- Rudy Mancuso
- Ruy Garcia
- Sierra Ornellas
- Stephanie Beatriz
- Tonatiuh Elizarrarz
- Tony Revolori
- Victoria Alonso
- Xochitl Gomez
- Xolo Mariduena
- Yareli Arizmendri