How To Change Latino Representation In Hollywood

By: Eddie Ramos | April 4, 2022 3:15 AM

There is clearly a discrepancy between the nation’s second-largest ethnic group and its representation in Hollywood media. Although there have been attempts to push more Latino content in the past, the push may have to come from within the race itself.

Representation Of Latino Portrayals In Hollywood

Despite being one of the fastest-growing communities, Latino representation on the screen has hardly kept up. Latino’s made up more than 18% of the population in 2021, yet made up 5.3% of the share of broadcast tv roles according to the 2020 “UCLA Hollywood Diversity Report.”

Study considers the top eight credited actors for each film examined.
UCLA “Hollywood Diversity Report,” U.S. Census Bureau
Aida Ylanan and Vanessa Martínez LOS ANGELES TIMES

The study done by UCLA covers a much wider umbrella looking at the careers of Latino actors and their portrayal on tv and film and should be taken seriously. However, here’s what I have experienced.

Diversity Vs Representation

As a professional actor for over 10 years, who also identifies as Latino, I have seen a real push year after year to support the ideals of diversity and equal representation for people of color including Latinos.

Personally, I have always found that the number of auditions I go out on compared to my peers is actually significantly higher. That could be for a range of factors, but one of them I believe is because I am Latino.

Where I find the disconnect lies, is that the “final” casting decision is often swayed towards white non-Latino actors. I have seen many roles I’ve gone out for that specifically asked for people of color, in the beginning, end up in the hands of a white non-Latino actor when all is said and done. Whether this is just an innocent casting decision or something more malicious like a “bait and switch” attempt for companies to cover their new “diversity” protocols is yet to be seen…

However, the proof of my personal anecdote is supported by the UCLA findings in 2020. The industry needs to lessen the gap between diversity in the audition process and representation in the final product.

“Other” category includes Middle Eastern/North African, American Indian/Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander and multiracial/multiethnic. Study of speaking or named roles analyzed 3,891 characters from the top 100 highest-grossing movies.
USC “Inequality in 1,300 Popular Films”
Aida Ylanan and Vanessa Martínez LOS ANGELES TIMES

“Other” category includes Native, multiracial and MENA. This analysis studied 5,502 characters drawn from the scripted shows run on six broadcast networks. The first eight credited regular actors were counted.
UCLA “Hollywood Diversity Report” series
Aida Ylanan and Vanessa Martínez LOS ANGELES TIMES

What will it take to see more authentic stories that cast Latino actors?

Speaking from experience, an actor's sense of agency or sense of power is often dictated by directors, producers, and casting agents people deemed “more important than us.”

In other words, the feeling amongst actors is you take whatever is given to you and be grateful you got anything. In the case of Latino actors, I believe that instead of looking for a top-down approach and waiting for these networks and studios to tell more Latino stories of their own volition, Latino actors must look to themselves to be the agents of change.

How can we partner with other creative Latinos and other allies to make authentic Latino stories that appeal not just to ourselves, but to a wider audience? Making it more viable for networks and studios to get behind this type of content not just creatively, but appealing to their checkbooks financially as well.

It may be that the representation of Latinos in our culture has skewed towards a very specific stereotype. The “gangster” the “simpleton” or the “seductress” These types of roles may have limited the scope of Latino potential not only to the masses but subconsciously to ourselves.

In order, to indoctrinate Latino culture to the world and hope for equal representation the stores we tell must move past that of the outsider or immigrant to one of ownership and self-pride.

Do you think Hollywood is doing enough to highlight Latino stories? What is your solution to the underwhelming misrepresentation? If you found this article interesting and want to learn more about The Modern Actor. Check out the blog or book a free consultation call to see how TMA can help you take your acting to the next level.