More than 100 Latinx creators have signed an open letter to Hollywood after widespread controversy erupted over the casting of Odessa Azion as Zoe Gutierrez in the A24 film adaptation of Deep Cuts. The letter urges decision makers to increase the representation of Latinx voices in development and environmental projects, and to increase the use of Latinx actors in auditions and non-stereotypical starring roles.
Those who signed the letter include Eva Longoria, John Leguizamo, Xochitl Gomez, Danny Ramirez, Gina Rodriguez, Gloria Calderon Kellett, and Jessica Alba.
Azion withdrew from the film on Wednesday, saying he had not yet read the book. “I’m with you all, but I’m not making this movie,” she wrote on Instagram.
“Recent casting decisions surrounding Zoe Gutierrez on A24’s Deep Cuts reveal a troubling pattern,” the letter reads. “We acknowledge and applaud Odessa Azion for listening, reflecting, and making the decision to step back from the project and stand by her side. But how did this come to be?”
Please read the letter below.
An open letter to Hollywood from Latinx actors, artists, and storytellers
Casting directors, creative executives, screenwriters, producers, and Hollywood leaders,
We write to you with urgency because storytelling is humanity’s compass and Hollywood holds all the power. The stories you choose to tell, and how you tell them, will determine public perception, cultural understanding, and who gets to see themselves on screen. In difficult moments like these, that power comes with real responsibility. Recent casting decisions regarding A24’s Deep Cut character Zoe Gutierrez reveal a troubling pattern. We acknowledge and commend Odessa Azion for listening, reflecting and deciding to withdraw from the project and become an ally. Anyway, how did this happen? The choice to eliminate audition opportunities for Latinas and replace overtly Latinx characters with non-Latinx actresses signals the broader and continuing erasure of our community from the stories that define our culture. This isn’t about any particular actor or project. It’s about a system that repeatedly ignores qualified Latinx talent, even though our identities, histories, and experiences promote the most enduring narratives. The Latinx community is already underrepresented and misrepresented in ways that distort reality and harm real people. Casting decisions carry real weight, influencing who is deemed worthy of authentic storytelling and who can tell that story with care, nuance, and authority.
We demand accountability, intentionality, and fairness in casting and storytelling. Authentic representation means more than casting performers who resemble the characters. That means participating in the decisions that shape the story from its inception, not just the community depicted in front of the camera. Our stories should be shaped by the input, guidance, and leadership of Latinx creators, consultants, writers, and performers every step of the way. Please join us in taking concrete action.
Audition and hire more Latinx actors in diverse roles, including non-stereotypical leads Hire Latinx executives in the lighting room Include Latinx voices as consultants, writers, and producers from the earliest stages of development Create and support pipelines: mentoring, scholarships, opportunities to expand access at all levels of the ecosystem, and more
The world is paying attention.
Aaron Dominguez
Ichi Alberto
Alma Martinez
Amanda Diaz
Ana Navarro Cardenas
andrea signori
Angel Manuel Soto
Angelique Cabral
Anna Terrazas
Annie Gonzalez
antonio negreto
Becky G
Brandon Guzman
Brandon Perea
Bricia Lopez
Camila Baquero
Carla Gutierrez
carlo siliotto
carla hall
carlos eric lopez
Carlos Lopez Estrada
chrissy fit
Christian Serratos
Sierra Ramirez
Syria Fialo
Daniela Pineda
Danny Ramirez
david castenada
Desi Perkins
Diego Boneta
Edgel Campos
Eiza Gonzalez
Elisa Capai
elsa collins
Emily Lesclaw
Enrique Melendez
Eva Longoria
Fabrizio Guido
Felipe Vargas
Fernando Garcia
Flavia Hamon
Francia Raisa
gabriella maile
Gina Rodriguez
Gloria Calderon Kellett
Gregory Diaz IV
ilda santiago
Isabella Gomez
Isabella Merced
Isabella Feria
Isis Mussenden
Ismael Cruz Cordova
Yvette Rodriguez
Jacob Scipio
Javier Muñoz
Jazmin Aguilar
jesse garcia
jessica alba
Jillian Mercado
John Leguizamo
Jose Velasquez
Juan Pa Zurita
Julio Macias
Justina Machado
carrie martin lachney
kate del castillo
Claudia Reinicke
Kylie Cantrall
leo gonzalez
Lisette Olivera
Lorenza Muñoz
Lynette Coll
Maia Refiko
Marcel Lewis
Maria Legarda
Mariana Oliva
Mariem Perez Riera
Mauro Muller
mayan lopez
melissa barela
melissa fumero
Michael Cimino
Michael Peña
Miguel Mora
Monica Villarreal
Natalie Chaides
Natalie Morales
Navamau
Naz Perez
Nezza (Vanessa Hernandez)
Neysa Bovet
Nicholas Celis
nicole betancourt
Orlando Pineda
Patricia Cardoza
Patricia Riggen
Patti Rodriguez
Paulina Garcia
Petra Costa
Rafael Agustin
Rafael Cebrian
Ramon Rodriguez
Rene G. Bossio
robin de jesus
Rodrigo Teixeira
Rudy Mancuso
Tonatiu Elizararts
Tony Revolori
victoria alonso
Xochitl Gomez
Yareli Arizhen
Ichi Alberto
hector medina
Luca Castellani
Natalia Boneta
Yareli Arizmendi
Juanpa Zurita
Maia Refiko
Stephanie Osuna-Hernandez
paulina chavez
Sierra Ornelas
Marvin Remus
Stephanie Beatriz
