Eva Longoria and John Leguizamo Lead Call for Hollywood Reform Following Casting Controversy
Eva Longoria, John Leguizamo, and Xochitl Gomez have joined more than 100 Latino actors, writers, and showrunners in signing an open letter demanding systemic change in Hollywood. The collective action addresses the recent casting controversy surrounding A24’s film adaptation of the novel Deep Cuts by Holly Brickley. The letter characterizes the incident as a symptom of a broader industry failure to value Latino talent and stories, calling for specific commitments to prevent future erasure.
The controversy centers on the casting of Odessa A’zion as the lead character Zoe Gutierrez, who is written in the source material as a half-Mexican, half-Jewish lesbian. Following the announcement, industry insiders and the public raised objections that a non-Latina actress was selected for the role. Xochitl Gomez stated that despite qualified Latina actresses being pitched for the part, casting directors allegedly claimed there was an “exclusive offer” out to A’zion, meaning no Latina actors were auditioned. A’zion has since withdrawn from the project, stating she was unaware of the character’s specific heritage in the book and expressing support for the Latino community’s concerns.
In the open letter, the signatories argue that the issue extends beyond a single casting decision or one actor. They contend that the industry repeatedly overlooks qualified Latino professionals, noting that such erasure distorts reality given the demographic’s significant contribution to box office revenue. The group is calling for Hollywood studios to hire more Latino executives in greenlighting roles, engage Latino consultants and writers during early development stages, and commit to auditioning Latino actors for a diverse range of roles, including non-stereotypical leads.
While A’zion’s decision to step down was acknowledged by the group as a respectful move, the letter emphasizes that the responsibility lies with the executives and producers who make the initial decisions. The signatories assert that authentic representation requires involving the community from the inception of a project, rather than relying on retroactive corrections following public outcry. This action highlights ongoing tensions regarding diversity in the entertainment sector, where reports consistently show Latino representation lagging behind their share of the U.S. population.
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