It’s been almost a decade because the lack of range in awards season was highlighted by the hashtag #OscarsSoWhite — and John Leguizamo is aware of there’s nonetheless work to do.
“I really feel now greater than ever we have now the facility to alter the narrative… to present individuals of shade an opportunity to be represented in our trade proportionally — we’re virtually 30% of the subscribers on streaming platforms however lower than 6% of the leads,” Leguizamo shared in an unique assertion to Us Weekly on Sunday, June 9.
That’s why the Inexperienced Veil actor, 63, printed an open letter to Emmy voters as an advert in The New York Occasions on Sunday, June 9. “Typically persons are afraid of change, different instances they’re simply lazy,” Leguizamo instructed Us. “My letter in The New York Occasions is about empowering my friends to take actual motion, as a result of change is actually at their fingertips, they simply need to make the choice to be actual allies. And till they do… I received’t cease.”
Within the letter, he urged voters to think about the performances of non-white actors that ought to be championed.
“Please let this be the yr we lastly embrace change,” Leguizamo wrote. “The yr we really discover Fairness and see artists of shade represented throughout not only one class however ALL classes.”
He added, “Allow us to not proceed to white wash our Awards exhibits. As a substitute let this yr be the catalyst that evokes the Subsequent Era of minority and underrepresented artists.”
Leguizamo has one Emmy (for his Spike Lee-directed one-man present Freak) and has been nominated twice in recent times. Nonetheless, the letter isn’t the primary time he’s spoken out in opposition to Hollywood’s therapy of non-white actors. In 2022, the Waco actor spoke out in opposition to the casting of Chris Pratt because the lead within the Tremendous Mario Bros. Film. Leguizamo performed Luigi alongside Bob Hoskins within the Nintendo character’s first film adaptation.
“For them to go backwards and never forged one other [actor of color] form of sucks,” he mentioned. “Lots of people love the unique. I did Comedian Con in New York and in Baltimore, and everybody’s like, ‘No, no, we love the previous one, the unique.’ They’re not feeling the brand new one. I’m not bitter. It’s unlucky.”
Learn Leguizamo’s whole letter to Emmy voters under:
Expensive Hollywood,
Please let this be the yr we lastly embrace change. The yr we really discover Fairness and see artists of shade represented throughout not only one class however ALL classes.
I do know you’re uninterested in listening to phrases like “inclusivity” and “range” — treading water when you attempt to perceive how one can put actions behind these sentiments.
Look no additional! It’s easy! There are a whole bunch of prolific non-white artists who need to be thought of for Awards this yr, not as a result of they’re merely… Black, Brown, Indigenous or Asian however as a result of they’re really nice… distinctive artists who’ve achieved that greatness with a foot on their neck for much too lengthy.
Let this be the beginning of a brand new period.
Allow us to not proceed to white wash our Awards exhibits. As a substitute let this yr be the catalyst that evokes the Subsequent Era of minority and underrepresented artists… a era who would possibly lastly see a mirrored image of themselves on that stage and suppose…
“If they will, perhaps I can too…”
Your peer,
John Leguizamo
Author, Actor, Producer, Director and Colombian American who received’t ever let anybody inform him “no”
