John Leguizamo applauds Emmys diversity in fervent speech: ‘Our industry is making progress’
As a seasoned cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the rich tapestry of cinema, I must say that John Leguizamo‘s impassioned speech at the 76th Emmy Awards was nothing short of inspiring. His journey from a scrawny wannabe gangster in Queens to an esteemed actor and advocate for diversity in Hollywood resonates deeply with my own experiences.
At the 76th Emmy Awards on Sunday, I passionately spoke out about the importance of Latinx representation in the television industry, John Leguizamo.
The actor, who has penned several open letters urging Hollywood executives to recognize actors of color — including a 2022 piece published in The Times — said during the awards show at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live that, when it comes to promoting diversity in film and television, “not complaining doesn’t change anything.”
Leguizamo delivered his pointed, and loudly applauded, remarks while introducing the chair of the Television Academy, Chris Abrego. Read his full speech below.
How’s it going? I’m John Leguizamo, one of the dedicated and imaginative individuals in Hollywood who focuses on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). That’s correct. DEI represents diligence, excellence, and imagination, qualities that everyone here tonight shares. And what a wonderful and diverse gathering we have tonight! ¡Wepa!
As I was ascending in Jackson Heights, Queens, an aspiring tough guy — [to those who claim to be from Queens] let’s not pretend — made me question if someone like me could become an actor. At 15, I hadn’t grasped the concept of representation yet. In fact, there were many words I wasn’t familiar with back then. However, what I did see was a lot of brown faces. I saw Marlon Brando portray a Mexican in “Viva Zapata!” and Al Pacino play the Cuban gangster Tony Montana, while Natalie Wood took on the role of a Puerto Rican beauty named Maria. Everyone seemed to represent us, except for us.
While there were characters like Ricky Ricardo and Speedy Gonzales on TV, it’s rare to see people on screen who resemble me as much as they do.
We perceived ourselves in that manner because those were the only aspects of ourselves we recognized. For a long time, I watched “Star Trek” and thought, “In the future, there won’t be any Latin people! But at least, then, the food will be bland.” And for years, I didn’t protest about the narrow roles my community was given: the seductive spice, the passionate suitor, the maid, the gang member. It turned out that not voicing my discontent didn’t bring any change.
For several years now, I’ve been expressing my concerns. Recently, I placed a full-page advertisement in The New York Times, urging Emmy voters to acknowledge candidates of color. It turned out that a full-page ad in the New York Times is quite expensive, but thankfully, I made the decision before learning the cost. Surprisingly, the ad seemed to have an impact because, almost immediately, there were changes in Hollywood – although it wasn’t as dramatic as I had hoped.
However, what I’m witnessing tonight brings a sense of joy, if not outright happiness, and a significant decrease in frustration. This is because tonight’s Emmy nominees represent one of the most diverse lineups in history. I see so many exceptionally gifted Latinx individuals. Selena Gomez has been recognized for her work in “Only Murders in the Building,” and she’s been a driving force behind Steve Martin and Martin Short for three whole seasons [audience laughs]. Sofia Vergara is also nominated for “Griselda” – go, dale, homegirl!
In this scenario, Issa López is gaining recognition for her work on “True Detective: Night Country,” a series that also features Indigenous actress Kali Reis in a main role. Additionally, Nava Mau, who hails from Mexico City and starred in “Baby Reindeer,” has become the first transgender person to be nominated for an Emmy in a limited series acting category. Lastly, Liza Colón-Zayas, my friend, won accolades for her role in “The Bear,” a heartwarming tale about white individuals who are fixated on Michelin stars and making kale appealing.
Tonight, we’re celebrating five outstanding Latinx nominees – six if you include Mark Cuban from “Shark Tank”. He might be Cuban by name, so he counts too! And here’s another encouraging step: Shortly after my ad was removed from the New York Times, academy members elected their first-ever Latino chair. Congratulations, Chris Abrego! Hollywood owes you one, I did it.
“John, it’s important to note that Chris Abrego was appointed as the chair of the Television Academy back in November 2023, which means he was already in that position when your advertisement was released, eight months prior.
Absolutely, it’s important to expand our narrative diversity by including stories from underrepresented groups such as Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, LGBTQ+, and disabled individuals. Tonight’s show is a testament to the advancements our industry has made in this regard. I am thrilled to introduce to you the chair of the Television Academy, Chris Abrego, who is dedicated to preserving and nurturing these strides. Please give him a warm welcome!
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2024-09-16 07:02