Eva Longoria, Isabela Merced, John Leguizamo and more than 100 Latino artists slammed the “Deep Cuts” casting controversy — where Odessa A’zion was set to play a half-Mexican character before exiting the project — as a “troubling pattern” in the industry.
“Latino communities are already underrepresented and misrepresented in ways that distort reality and harm real people,” the open letter to Hollywood stated. “Casting decisions carry real weight: they influence who is seen as worthy of authentic storytelling and who gets to tell those stories with care, nuance and authority.”
TheWrap learned Monday that A’zion was cast as a lead in the new film from “The Iron Claw” filmmaker Sean Durkin based on a novel of the same name by Holly Brickley. On Wednesday, A’zion and the film came under fire for casting the actress to play Zoe Gutierrez, a character who is half-Jewish, half-Mexican in the book.
“Recent casting decisions around the character Zoe Gutierrez in A24’s ‘Deep Cuts’ have exposed a troubling pattern. We acknowledge and commend Odessa A’zion for listening, reflecting and deciding to exit the project and become an ally. Yet how did this happen?” the open letter continued. “The absence of Latina audition opportunities, and the choice to replace a clearly Latina character with a non-Latina actress, signals a broader, ongoing erasure of our community from the stories that define our culture. This is not about any one actor or project. It is about a system that repeatedly overlooks qualified Latino talent even as our identities, histories and experiences fuel the most enduring stories.”
A’zion announced Wednesday evening that she was pulling out of the film after learning about the controversy. The “Marty Supreme” and “I Love LA” star said that she had not originally auditioned to play Zoe and had not read the book, accepting the role without knowing that the character is half-Mexican.
“I agree with every single one of you! This is why I love you guys,” A’zion wrote on Instagram. “I’m so so sorry that this happened. It is SO important for me to let you in on how it all went down.”
Other individuals who signed the open letter are Brandon Perea, Danny Ramirez, Eiza Gonzalez, Jessica Alba and Melissa Barrera. You can read the full letter below.
“An Open Letter to Hollywood from Latino Actors, Artists and Storytellers:
Dear Casting Directors, Creative Executives, Writers, Producers and Hollywood Leaders,
We write to you with urgency, because storytelling is humanity’s compass and Hollywood wields all the power. The stories you choose to tell, and how you tell them, shape public perception, cultural understanding, and who gets to see themselves reflected on screen. In these challenging moments that power comes with real responsibility.
Recent casting decisions around the character Zoe Gutierrez in A24’s ‘Deep Cuts’ have exposed a troubling pattern. We acknowledge and commend Odessa A’zion for listening, reflecting and deciding to exit the project and become an ally. Yet how did this happen? The absence of Latina audition opportunities, and the choice to replace a clearly Latina character with a non-Latina actress, signals a broader, ongoing erasure of our community from the stories that define our culture. This is not about any one actor or project. It is about a system that repeatedly overlooks qualified Latino talent even as our identities, histories, and experiences fuel the most enduring stories.
Latino communities are already underrepresented and misrepresented in ways that distort reality and harm real people. Casting decisions carry real weight: they influence who is seen as worthy of authentic storytelling and who gets to tell those stories with care, nuance, and authority.
We are calling for accountability, intentionality, and equity in casting and storytelling. Authentic representation means more than casting a performer who looks like the character; it means involving the communities being portrayed not just in front of the camera, but in the decisions that shape these stories from their inception. Our stories deserve to be shaped with the input, guidance, and leadership of Latino creators, consultants, writers, and performers at every stage.
We implore you to join us in concrete action:
● Audition and hire more Latino actors for a diverse range of roles, including non-stereotypical leads
● Hire Latino executives in your greenlighting rooms
● Include Latino voices as consultants, writers, and producers from the earliest stages of development
● Create and support pipelines: mentoring, scholarships, and opportunities that expand access all levels of the ecosystem
The world is watching.
Aaron Dominguez
Aitch Alberto
Alex Lora
Alma Martinez
Amanda Diaz
Ana Navarro Cardenas
Andrea Chignoli
Angel Manuel Soto
Angelique Cabral
Anna Terrazas
Annie Gonzalez
Antonio Negret
Becky G
Benjamin Odell
Brandon Guzman
Brandon Perea
Bricia Lopez
Camila Baquero
Carla Gutierrez
Carlo Siliotto
Carla Hool
Carlos Eric Lopez
Carlos Gutierrez
Carlos Lopez Estrada
Chrissie Fit
Christian Serratos
Cierra Ramirez
Constance Marie
Cristina Rodlo
Cristo Fernandez
Curly Velazquez
Cyrina Fiallo
Daniella Pineda
Danny Ramirez
David Castenada
Desi Perkins
Diego Boneta
Edgar Ramirez
Edher Campos
Eiza Gonzalez
Elisa Capai
Elsa Collins
Emilie Lesclaux
Ennio Torresan
Enrique Melendez
Eva Longoria
Fabrizio Guido
Felipe Vargas
Fernando Garcia
Flavia Amon
Francia Raisa
Gabriel Luna
Gabriela Maire
Gina Rodriguez
Gloria Calderon Kellett
Grasie Mercedes
Gregory Diaz IV
Ignacio Darnaude
Ilda Santiago
Isabella Gomez
Isabela Merced
Isabella Ferreira
Isis Mussenden
Ismael Cruz Cordova
Ivette Rodriguez
Jacob Scipio
Javier Munoz
Jazmin Aguilar
Jesse Garcia
Jessica Alba
Jessica Marie Garcia
Jesus Pimental-Melo
Jillian Mercado
John Leguizamo
Jose Velazquez
Juan Pa Zurita
Julio Macias
Julissa Calderon
Justina Machado
Karrie Martin Lachney
Kate Del Castillo
Klaudia Reynicke
Kristian Mercado
Kylie Cantrall
Leo Gonzalez
Lisette Olivera
Lorenza Munoz
Luca Castellani
Lucila Moctezuma
Lucius Hoyos
Lucy Barreto
Lynette Coll
Maia Reficco
Marcel Ruiz
Marcos Luevanos
Maria Gabriela De Faria
Maria Legarda
Mariana Oliva
Mariem Perez Riera
Marvin Lemus
Mauro Mueller
Mayan Lopez
Melissa Barrera
Melissa Fumero
Melissa Martinez
Michael Cimino
Michael Pena
Miguel Mora
Monica Villarreal
Natalia Boneta
Natalie Chaidez
Natalie Morales
Nava Mau
Naz Perez
Nezza (Vanessa Hernandez)
Neysa Bove
Nicolas Celis
Nicole Betancur
Orlando Pineda
Patricia Cardosa
Patricia Riggen
Patty Rodriguez
Paulina Garcia
Petra Costa
Rafael Agustin
Rafael Cebrian
Ramon Rodriguez
Rene G. Boscio
Robin De Jesus
Rodrigo Teixeira
Ryan Guzman
Rudy Mancuso
Sabrina Quesada
Scarlett Estevez
Sierra Ornellas
Stephanie Beatriz
Taylor Zakar Perez
Tonatiuh Elizarrarz
Tony Revolori
Valentina Xunaxi
Victoria Alonso
Xochitl Gomez
Xolo Mariduena
Yara Martinez
Yareli Arizmendri”
This story has been updated to include new signatories as of Friday morning.
