Eva Longoria, Latino Artists Urge Action Against Casting Cutbacks

In a powerful movement for representation, over 100 Latino actors and artists, including Eva Longoria and John Leguizamo, have signed an open letter addressed to Hollywood. This collective plea highlights the need for increased Latino voices in the entertainment industry.

Urgent Call for Action

The letter comes in light of recent backlash surrounding casting decisions in A24’s film, *Deep Cuts*. The character Zoe Gutierrez, who is described as half Mexican and half Jewish in the source material, was initially cast with a non-Latina actress, Odessa A’zion. Following the controversy, A’zion decided to withdraw from the project and received commendation from the Latino artistic community for her decision.

Key Issues Highlighted

Signatories of the letter expressed concerns that the casting decision exemplified a troubling trend of underrepresentation and misrepresentation of Latino communities in film and television.

• Absence of audition opportunities for Latina actresses.
• Replacement of Latina characters with non-Latino performers.
• Systematic oversight of qualified Latino talent in the creative industries.

Detailed Recommendations for Change

The open letter advocates for several actionable steps to promote equity and representation:

• Increase auditions and hiring of Latino actors for diverse roles, avoiding stereotypes.
• Employ Latino executives in key decision-making roles.
• Include Latino voices in the storytelling process from the earliest stages.
• Establish and support development pipelines, including mentoring and scholarships.

Voices of the Movement

Alongside Longoria and Leguizamo, influential figures such as Jessica Alba, Gina Rodriguez, and Michael Pena also co-signed the letter. Their unified stance underscores the importance of authentic representation in media that resonates with Latino identities, histories, and realities.

The letter articulates a crucial need for responsibility in storytelling—a call to recognize that representation matters, not only in front of the camera but also behind it, shaping narratives that reflect diverse realities.

As the call for action reverberates throughout the industry, the message remains clear: This movement is about fostering inclusivity and ensuring that Latino voices are no longer silenced or sidelined in Hollywood.