West Side Story
Rachel Zegler has revealed that Hollywood executives questioned her Latina personal identity before she was cast as María in Steven Spielberg’sWest Side Story . Zegler , who won a Golden Globe for her performance as María , has since starred in blockbuster films such asThe Hunger Games : The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes , andDisney ’s upcomingSnow Whitelive - action remaking . Spielberg ’s 2021 version ofWest Side Storysought to reform retiring cast controversiesby ensuring its Puerto Rican character were portrayed by Latino actors . Zegler ’s casting was celebrated as a win for representation , but behind the view , she face skepticism about her heritage .
There ’s confusedness because I do n’t have a single ounce of Latin in my name . When I was in the running for María inWest Side Story , they kept calling to ask if I was legit . I remember thinking , Do you need me to contribute my abuelita in ? I will . I ’ll institute her into the studio if you want to meet her .
It ’s an interesting experience being part of that diaspora in the current climate we live in . But I love being Colombian .
What This Means For Hollywood’s Treatment Of Latino Actors
There’s A Need for Better Representation & Authenticity in Casting
Spielberg ’s version was praise for its consignment to authenticity , particularly in its cast . Unlike the1961WestSide Story , which feature non - Latino actors in major Hispanic role , the acclaimed filmmaker made a conscious drive to shake off Latino performing artist , such as Zegler , David Alvarez , and Ariana DeBose , who make headway an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita , just as Rita Moreno did for the same part , back in 1962 . Additionally , the moving-picture show worked close with ethnical consultantsto ensure that the delineation of Puerto Rican quality was nuanced and exact .
Spielberg ’s remake of the original West Side Story repackages the story ’s tragic end - here ’s an account of the musical motion picture ’s conclusion .
Zegler ’s experiencereflects a big way out in Hollywood , where Latino actor often face incredulity unless they conform to narrow , stereotyped portraying of Romance American identity . The industriousness ’s continued trust on trivial markers like surnames and appearances circumscribe opportunities for actors from diverse Hispanic background andfails to meditate the full spectrum of Latin American inheritance . Many Hispanic actor in Hollywood , despite having strong ethnical ties to their setting , have been required to " demonstrate " their ethnicity . Zegler ’s story highlights the thwarting reality that such performer must incessantly formalise their identity , even when they ’re telling their own stories .
While major studio once pledge to comprehend diversity , late rollbacks on DEI programs from studios like Disney and Paramount , along with some casting decisions , carry on to spark debate about whether true progress is being made .
Over the age , many Latino actors have spoken out about being look across for persona due to not fitting Hollywood ’s limited criteria . The push for authentic molding has gained impulse , but cases likeRachel Zegler ’s inWest Side Storydemonstrate that there is still a lot of work to be done . While major studio apartment once pledged to embrace diverseness , late rollback on DEI programs from studios like Disney and Paramount , along with some cast decisions , continue to spark argumentation about whether true progress is being made .
Our Take On Zegler’s Experience & Hollywood’s Casting Bias
The Importance of Diversity
Zegler ’s story is an unfortunate deterrent example of how Hollywood continues to place unnecessary vault on diverse talent . The fact that she had to repeatedly formalize her heritage before being vomit up inWest Side Storyspeaks to the industry ’s outdated approach to representation . AsLatino - take filmsgain more protuberance , there ’s hope that disgorge directors and executives will diversify their reason of what it means to be Latino .
Zegler ’s success proves that audiences are eager for authentic , various theatrical , and Hollywood must beguile up to this world . Latino histrionics in Hollywood has expanded , but stories like Zegler ’s serve as a admonisher that systemic prejudice still exist , forbid adequate opportunities for all Latino performers .
reference : allurement
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