Latinos In Hollywood

The transcript delves into the challenges and triumphs of Latino representation in Hollywood, highlighting the experiences of prominent figures like Eva Longoria, Gina Torres, Ramon Rodriguez, and Eugenio Derbez. Despite facing stereotypes and limited roles, these artists have made strides in creating authentic Latino narratives. The discussion emphasizes the importance of diversity behind the camera, with figures like Gloria Calderon Kellett and Steven Canals leading the charge. The conversation underscores the need for Hollywood to embrace more inclusive storytelling, reflecting the true diversity and contributions of the Latino community.

• Latinos in Hollywood have historically faced significant challenges in gaining representation and breaking stereotypes.
• Prominent Latino actors and producers, such as Eva Longoria and Gina Torres, have played pivotal roles in challenging these stereotypes and expanding opportunities for Latinos in the entertainment industry.
• Despite being nearly 20% of the U.S. population, Latinos only represent about 5% of roles in TV and film, indicating a significant underrepresentation.
• The push for more authentic and diverse Latino representation is ongoing, with many artists taking active roles behind the camera to tell their own stories.

"Hispanics are almost 20% of the population and we're only 5% in TV and film. But now a new crop of Latino artists are taking matters into their own hands."

• Highlights the disparity between Latino population size and their representation in the media, emphasizing the need for change.

"Dear Hollywood, what I would love to see is more diversity, more authentic Latin representation. More stories that reflect me."

• A call to action for Hollywood to embrace more diverse and authentic representations of Latin culture and individuals.

• Eva Longoria faced challenges due to her Mexican American heritage, often being told she was "never Latin enough" or "too Latin for the white parts."
• Her breakthrough role in "Desperate Housewives" was significant for Latino representation, showcasing a complex and nuanced Latina character on mainstream television.
• Longoria used her experiences and platform to pave the way for future Latino artists, eventually transitioning into roles behind the camera to influence the industry further.

"I couldn't get the white roles... And so they were like, could you do an accent like Rosie Perez?"

• Illustrates the typecasting and racial expectations Longoria faced early in her career.

"2004, along comes this little show called Desperate Housewives... And the role of Gabriel Solis changes your life."

• Marks the turning point in Longoria's career, highlighting the impact of her role on both her career and Latino representation.

• Ramon Rodriguez's career began with typecast roles, often playing drug dealers or gang members due to his appearance.
• Rodriguez made a conscious decision to change his image and be selective about the roles he accepted, understanding the impact of representation.
• His journey reflects the broader struggle for Latino actors to find roles that provide dignity and authenticity.

"So I used to have cornrows... And so the opportunities I was getting were usually drug dealers of some sort, Gang bangers."

• Describes the stereotypical roles Rodriguez was offered, reflecting broader industry issues.

"And I was given a role who was Latino, but he was a geek, nerd, computer guy and wasn't anything that I had played prior."

• Signifies a breakthrough in Rodriguez's career, showcasing a different type of Latino character.

• Gina Torres faced unique challenges as an Afro Latina, with Hollywood lacking even the language to describe her identity.
• As the daughter of Cuban immigrants, Torres has been a trailblazer in expanding the scope of roles available to Afro Latinas.
• Her work highlights the intersectionality of race and ethnicity in Hollywood and the need for more inclusive representation.

"When he started auditioning, there was no word for Afro. There was no. No. There was no language in Hollywood. In Hollywood for Afro Latinid."

• Highlights the additional barriers Afro Latinas face in Hollywood, emphasizing the lack of recognition and language for their identity.

• The discussion begins with the complexity of living in multiple cultural worlds, highlighting the experience of code-switching between different cultural and linguistic environments.
• Afro Latinidad is introduced as a concept referring to the black presence in Latin America and the historical context of the African slave trade in the region.
• The conversation touches on the casting and hiring issues in the entertainment industry, particularly regarding who is perceived as authentically Latino.

"In the Bronx in the 1970s. You've said that you were living in three worlds. The Spanish speaking Cuban home, you grew up in the English speaking world outside, and the industry that didn't recognize you as either."

• This quote highlights the personal experience of navigating multiple cultural identities and the lack of recognition in the entertainment industry.

"When we are talking about Afro Latinidad, we are referring to the black presence in Latin America. You know, we're not taught a lot about Latin American history, period, here."

• This statement emphasizes the underrepresentation and lack of awareness of Afro Latinidad in broader historical narratives.

• Afro Latino actors face unique challenges in Hollywood, often being pigeonholed into specific roles based on racial perceptions.
• The industry's narrow view of Latino identity often excludes Afro Latino actors from roles that align with their cultural heritage.
• The discussion includes personal anecdotes illustrating the emotional impact of these challenges.

"The first time my heart broke was when my mother asked me, why aren't you playing a nice Latina girl? Because that's who she raised, that's who she saw."

• This quote reveals the emotional struggle of not being able to fulfill familial and cultural expectations due to industry biases.

"They saw me as an African American woman. And that's all they had room for."

• This highlights the industry's limited perception of racial identity, restricting opportunities for Afro Latino actors.

• The conversation shifts to the experiences of foreign-born Latino stars in Hollywood, questioning whether box office success translates to broader opportunities.
• Despite significant achievements, actors like Eugenio Derbez are often offered stereotypical roles that do not reflect the diversity of Latino experiences.

"For a decade, Eugenio tried to use his incredible success as a star in Mexico to cross over and establish himself in Hollywood. I did theater, television, movies. Nothing really happened."

• This illustrates the difficulty foreign-born Latino actors face in breaking into Hollywood, despite success in their home countries.

"Historic box office hits usually lead to more opportunities. But for a foreign born Latino actor with an accent, Eugenio says Hollywood offered up nothing more than the same old stereotypical roles."

• This statement underscores the persistence of stereotypes in Hollywood, limiting roles for Latino actors regardless of their success.

• The discussion includes data on the underrepresentation of Latinos in Hollywood, both in terms of speaking roles and leading roles.
• Stereotypes persist, with Latinos often cast in roles associated with crime and low-income occupations.
• The conversation critiques the industry's failure to reflect the diversity and reality of Latino experiences.

"16 years, 5% of speaking characters are Hispanic Latinos. And we're talking about characters that only have to say one word, which is an extremely low bar."

• This quote highlights the stark underrepresentation of Latinos in Hollywood, even in minor roles.

"Over half are criminals. Nearly half, 46% are involved specifically in violent crime."

• This emphasizes the prevalence of negative stereotypes in the portrayal of Latino characters in film.

• The economic potential of better Latino representation is discussed, with studies indicating significant financial gains if Latinos are cast in diverse roles.
• The conversation calls for an industry-wide recognition of Latino audiences and the financial benefits of inclusive representation.

"If you put Latinos in the right roles, you can create upwards of $18 billion."

• This quote presents the economic argument for increasing Latino representation in Hollywood.

"One in five Americans are Latino, and they make up over 24% of box office receipts. But when you look at that, you see discrepancy."

• This highlights the gap between the Latino audience's contribution to the box office and their representation on screen.

• The discussion concludes with the need to address historical inequities in Latino representation to foster future change.
• Personal stories and advocacy efforts are highlighted as crucial components of this ongoing struggle for representation.

"Rita Moreno in West side Star. Everything. She was born in Puerto Rico in 1931 as Rosa Dolores Alverio and moved to New York City as a child."

• This quote provides historical context, illustrating the long-standing challenges faced by Latino actors in Hollywood.

"Our hope is that there will be real change. But many advocates say in order to change the future of Latino representation, we must first come to terms with the past."

• This statement underscores the importance of acknowledging and addressing historical injustices to create a more inclusive future.

• Rita Moreno originally faced pressure to change her name to something more exotic, but chose the name "Rita Moreno" inspired by her favorite actress, Rita Hayworth.
• She was frequently typecast in stereotypical "dusky maiden" roles and had to wear makeup to appear more exotic.
• Her breakthrough role was Anita in "West Side Story," where she challenged and changed offensive lyrics in the song "America."
• Despite winning an Oscar for her role, her film career did not flourish as expected, leading her to take a hiatus and eventually achieve success in other areas like Broadway and television.
• Rita Moreno became the first Latina to achieve EGOT status, inspiring future generations of Latina actors.

"An agent told her she needed to change her name. The name he came up with, which was just a killer orchid Montenegro."

• This quote highlights the pressure on actors to conform to exotic or stereotypical images, showcasing the challenges Moreno faced in maintaining her identity.

"I looked at the America lyrics, and there it is, Puerto Rico, you ugly island. Island of tropic diseases. I thought, I can't do this to my people."

• Moreno's refusal to accept derogatory lyrics about Puerto Rico demonstrates her commitment to positive representation and cultural integrity.

"I can't believe it. Good Lord. It put Puerto Ricans on the Map."

• Winning the Oscar was a significant moment for Moreno, marking a milestone for Puerto Rican representation in Hollywood.

• Latino actors faced significant stereotyping, with early cinema depicting Mexicans as villains in roles like the "Greaser."
• By the 1940s, stereotypes evolved into roles like the "Latin lover" and the "spitfire," affecting actors like Rita Hayworth and Afro-Latinos who faced additional racial challenges.
• Trailblazers like Rita Moreno paved the way for future Latino actors, including Edward James Olmos, who brought depth and intentionality to his roles.
• Olmos's work ethic was shaped by his upbringing in a migrant family, and he became the first Mexican American nominated for a Best Actor Oscar.

"D.W. Griffith created the Greaser character in 1908 with the Greaser's Gauntlet. They end up framing Mexicans as villains."

• This quote illustrates the origins of negative Latino stereotypes in early cinema and their lasting impact on representation.

"Afro Latinos could not present themselves also as they're Latino because it was too difficult for producers to understand that racial nuance."

• The additional barriers faced by Afro-Latino actors highlight the complexities of racial and ethnic identity in Hollywood.

"What would you say to those who say they're tired of talking about Latino representation? You may be tired of it, but that representation is not there."

• Olmos emphasizes the ongoing struggle for adequate Latino representation in the industry and the need for continued advocacy.

• Change in Hollywood representation starts behind the camera, with roles like directors and executive producers shaping narratives.
• Ramon Rodriguez, star of "Will Trent," became a director and executive producer to ensure authentic Puerto Rican representation in his character.
• Gloria Calderon Kellett, the first Latina with an eight-figure deal with Amazon, focuses on correcting negative Latino portrayals by taking leadership roles in production.
• Shows like "Pose," created by Steven Canals, challenge stereotypes by representing LGBTQ and Afro-Latino communities, with support from allies like Ryan Murphy.

"Behind the camera is really where the secret sauce is made. We are who we've been waiting for."

• This quote underscores the importance of Latino presence in decision-making roles to create authentic and diverse stories.

"When they came to me with Will Trent, it was important that I was actually gonna have a real voice."

• Rodriguez's involvement in shaping his character's storyline highlights the power of having Latino voices in creative control.

"I grew up horrified by negative Latino representation and got into the business to change things."

• Calderon Kellett's career motivation reflects a broader movement among Latino creators to transform industry standards and representation.

"It took me creating my own content where I felt like I had an opportunity to create a family that looked like mine."

• Canals's journey with "Pose" showcases the challenges and triumphs of creating inclusive content that reflects diverse experiences.

• Eva Longoria has transitioned from an actress to a multifaceted professional, contributing significantly to the Latino representation in Hollywood.
• She has established a production company, Hyphenate Media Group, to support diverse talent and ensure Latino stories are told authentically.
• Longoria emphasizes the importance of owning content and controlling the narrative to empower Latino creatives.

"In the 20 years since her breakout fame on Desperate Housewives, Eva Longoria has continued to break boundaries for Latinas in Hollywood."

• This quote highlights Longoria's ongoing efforts to pave the way for Latinas in the entertainment industry, illustrating her commitment to representation and diversity.

"We want to own our content. We want to own our destiny."

• Longoria emphasizes the importance of content ownership, which allows for greater creative control and ensures that Latino narratives are told accurately and respectfully.

• Hyphenate Media Group, co-founded by Eva Longoria and Chris Abrego, aims to invest in Latino and diverse talent.
• The company seeks to bridge the gap between content consumers and creators, focusing on culture-defining projects.
• Collaborations with influential figures like Gloria Calderon Kellett are part of their strategy to expand Latino representation in media.

"Eva has partnered with entertainment executive Chris Abrego, and they're investing in Latino talent and diverse talent of all kinds."

• This partnership underscores the commitment to fostering diverse talent and creating opportunities for underrepresented groups in the industry.

"We're looking for people who want to do more to create culture defining content."

• The focus is on producing content that not only entertains but also shapes cultural perceptions and includes diverse voices.

• Eugenio Dervez uses his production company, Three Paws, to challenge Latino stereotypes in mainstream media.
• His work aims to offer positive and diverse portrayals of Latinos, moving away from traditional negative stereotypes.
• Dervez's series "Acapulco" exemplifies his commitment to family-friendly content that accurately reflects Mexican culture.

"Since then, I've been trying to play roles that break the stereotypes."

• Dervez is dedicated to changing the narrative around Latino characters, opting for roles that showcase a broader range of experiences and identities.

"We don't want to watch narcos killing each other. Acapulco, it's about a hotel and you will see a lot of different stories."

• This quote highlights his intention to move away from violent stereotypes and present more varied and positive stories about Latinos.

• Gina Torres advocates for Afro Latino representation, using her influence to create positive role models.
• Her character in "911 Lone Star," Tommy Vega, represents her efforts to showcase Afro Latinas in empowering roles.
• Torres aims to inspire young Afro Latinas by presenting them with strong, relatable characters on screen.

"I said I want her to be Afro Latina."

• Torres is intentional about representing Afro Latinas, ensuring that their stories and identities are visible and celebrated in media.

"If she can look at Tommy Vega and go, I want to be a paramedic, that's a win."

• By creating relatable characters, Torres hopes to inspire young viewers to pursue their aspirations, reinforcing the importance of representation.

• The emergence of Latino superheroes like Xochil Gomez in "Doctor Strange" and characters in "Blue Beetle" marks a significant shift in representation.
• These roles offer Latino audiences heroes they can relate to, challenging traditional superhero narratives.
• Actors like Pedro Pascal and Zoe Saldana are breaking barriers as universal leads, showcasing the versatility and talent of Latino actors.

"It was kind of scary to be the first teenage Latina young girl to be playing a superhero that was also queer."

• This quote emphasizes the groundbreaking nature of Xochil Gomez's role, highlighting the importance of diverse representation in superhero films.

"Latino stars like Pedro Pascal are the future. They're stars that are not able to be confined to a box."

• Pascal's success in non-stereotypical roles demonstrates the evolving landscape of Hollywood, where Latino actors are increasingly recognized for their talent and versatility.

• Representation in media is crucial for promoting equality and equity, influencing societal perceptions and cultural narratives.
• Hollywood has a social responsibility to present authentic and diverse stories that reflect the true makeup of society.
• There is optimism for real change, with increasing calls for more positive and accurate Latino narratives.

"The reason representation matters so much is definitely more than just the movies."

• Representation extends beyond entertainment, impacting societal attitudes and contributing to broader discussions about equality and inclusion.

"Dear Hollywood, we need more authentic narratives that are positive, more reflective of the world in which we live in."

• This appeal underscores the need for Hollywood to embrace diversity, ensuring that media reflects the diverse realities of its audience.