John Leguizamo gave an impassioned speech about Latinx illustration within the tv trade on the 76th Annual Emmy Awards on Sunday.
The actor, who has written a number of open letters urging Hollywood executives to acknowledge actors of coloration — together with a 2022 piece revealed in The Times — mentioned throughout the awards present at L.A. Live’s Peacock Theater that with regards to selling range in movie and cinema. tv, “not complaining would not change something”.
Leguizamo delivered his pointed and loudly applauded remarks as he launched Television Academy President Cris Abrego. Read his full speech under.
What occurs? I’m John Leguizamoand I’m one of many Hollywood DEI hires. Right. DEI, the D stands for diligence, the E is for excellence, the I is for creativeness. And everybody on this room tonight has devoted their lives to diligence and excellence and creativeness, so we’re all employed by DEI. And boy, what a ravishing and numerous room that is tonight, ¡Net!
Because after I went to Jackson Heights, Queens, a bit skinny wannabe gangster… (to the viewers applauding) You’re not from Queens, do not lie: I did not know folks like me could possibly be actors. At 15 I did not know the phrase illustration. In reality, I did not know many phrases on the time. But I noticed loads of brown faces. I noticed Marlon Brando play a Mexican in “Viva Zapata!” and Al Pacino performed Cuban gangster Tony Montana, and Natalie Wood performed a Puerto Rican magnificence named Maria. Everyone performed it besides us.
I have not seen many individuals on TV who seem like me. Of course, there was at all times Ricky Ricardo: “Lucy, you have received loads of explaining to do.” And I do know a few of you keep in mind the Looney Tunes cartoon mouse Speedy GonzaleSthe quickest mouse in all of Mexico, “¡Arriba Arriba! ¡Ándale!” and his torpid, ineffective sidekick, Slowpoke Rodriguez: “Sorry, Señor Pussycat, I can not play with ‘chu anymore, it is time for my siesta.”
That’s how we noticed ourselves as a result of that is all we noticed of ourselves. I watched “Star Trek” and thought, “Wow. In the longer term there will likely be no extra Latinos! But at the very least the meals will suck.” And for years I did not complain concerning the restricted roles my folks had been provided: the spicy sexpot, the Latin lover, the waitress, the gang member. Apparently, not complaining would not change something.
So for the previous few years I’ve been complaining. A couple of months in the past, I took out a full-page advert within the New York Times asking Emmy voters to acknowledge nominees of coloration, and it is a good factor I made a decision to do this earlier than I discovered how a lot a full-page advert value within the New York Times. The prices of the York Times. But the industrial labored as a result of, in a single day, Hollywood modified. OK, not likely.
But what I see right here tonight makes me, nicely, nearly joyful and positively much less indignant, as a result of tonight is probably the most numerous slate of nominees in Emmy historical past. I see lots of my extremely proficient Latinx brothers and sisters. Selena Gomez is nominated “Only murders within the constructing”, and introduced Steve Martin and Martin Short with him for 3 complete seasons (viewers laughs). Sofia Vergara is nominated “Griselda” — valleymy woman!
Issa Lopez is acknowledged for “True Detective: Night Country”, which he additionally had Indigenous actress Kali Reis in a number one position. Yes, sir. And Nava Mau, born in Mexico City and starred in “Baby Reindeer,” and is the primary transgender individual ever nominated for a restricted collection Emmy. Also, my buddy Liza Colón-Zayas – ¡baya! — received for “The Bear”, the fascinating story of white folks obsessive about Michelin stars and the great style of kale.
There are 5 Latinx nominees honored tonight: six, should you rely Mark Cuban of “Shark Tank.” His final identify is Cuban, that issues. And this is one other signal of progress: instantly after taking it to revealed within the New York Times, Amembers of the academy elected the primary ever Latino president. grouper grouper, Chris Abrego. You’re welcome, Hollywood. I did it.
(The ceremony announcer speaks: In reality, John, Cris Abrego was elected president of the Television Academy in November 2023, eight months earlier than your announcement.”)
Yes, no matter. But we’d like extra tales from excluded teams: Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, LGBTQ+, and disabled. And tonight’s present is proof that our trade is making progress. So I’m happy to introduce you to somebody who’s dedicated to defending and selling this progress, please welcome the president of the Television Academy, Cris Abrego.
