In a recurring theme for Latinos in Hollywood, this year’s Emmy nominations gave some warm love to handful of our gente while leaving others out in the cold. But, rather than dribble on with the same facts and figures with regard to Latino Emmy nominees, we are choosing to celebrate those who scored a nomination and voice our frustration on behalf of those who did not.
For a moment let’s pretend that both the writers and actors strike are like your high school haircut – it doesn’t exist and therefore we can’t possibly tell you how much harm has been inflicted. So while we stand in solidarity with the people who make the shows we love (hint: that’s not the studio bosses who just profit off others’ creativity) and know that they can’t celebrate, we’re not letting that stop us from giving the Latino nominees their felicidades.
Latino y Latina Actors Get Some Recognition
Primero, Pedro Pascal has become the most-nominated Latino in a single year with his three Emmy nominations. Papa Pascal proved that Latinos are as good at drama as they are at comedy. Case and point? The defense cites Pascal’s two major nominations in major categories for the Television Academy. Not only did he score a leading drama actor nomination for The Last of Us, but he also got a comedy nod for his guest appearance on Saturday Night Live. Pascal also earned a third Emmy nomination by using his polished pipes as a narrator of Patagonia: Life on the Edge of the World.
Jenna Ortega made history, er herstory, herself by becoming the third Latina to score a nod for lead actress in a comedy series. Though, we could make the argument that her character as Netflix’s Wednesday is more than enough in the drama category. For context, the other two Latina noms were Rita Moreno for 9 to 5, and America Ferrera (who is the sole winner of the award) for Ugly Betty. Having said that, with her nomination, Ortega is now the youngest actress ever to be nominated.
In the best supporting actress in a limited series category, we find Camila Morrone. The American-Argentinian model turned actress is Camila Dunne in Daisy Jones and the Six. The step-daughter of Hollywood icon Al Pacino has emerged as one of the fresher faces in H-Town. And if we are being honest, it’s a face that is as lovely as it is talented. Clearly, the Academy agreed with that sentiment.
Another Latina adding to her nomination list is Aubrey Plaza. She is recognized for outstanding supporting actress for her role in The White Lotus.
And Nathalie Emmanuel deserves a shout-out for her nod. Emmanuel can be seen most recently in Fast X and she earned an outstanding actress nomination in the short-form comedy or drama series category for Die Hart.
And Now: The Snubs
Bueno, now that we got the good news squared away, let’s get to the chisme. A gentle heads up that we may be a little salty about some of these snubs. Who are we kidding, we are very salty about a few of these! This first snub has both salt and spice so be warned.
One word: Andor. Let’s be honest, Diego Luna is a Mexican treasure and damn it to down below that Señor Luna didn’t get a nomination for his leading role in the Disney show. Before you come at us with, “But Andor got an Emmy nomination for best drama series,” type of talk, let us offer up this, “Exactly!” You’re kinda making our point for us. The equivalent – at least in our minds – is giving a restaurant a Michelin star but excluding the head chef from any recognition. This “snub” will have us boiling for a few weeks at least.
We are going to use the same argument for Miss Selena Gomez and Only Murders in the Building. Gomez, who as Mabel, is one-third of a comedic powerhouse that makes up the hit Hulu show. For the “ Martin Short got an Emmy nomination in the lead actor for a comedy show, but Steve Martin didn’t” crowd, I will again remind you that makes about as much sense as putting a band-aid on a car tire.
Once again, two-thirds of your leading talent are not worthy of individual nominations, but the show is? Yes, Only Murders in the Building scored a best comedy show Emmy nomination for which Gomez is an accredited Executive Producer. Excellent point. It is for this reason alone that we are going to focus on the positive news that Gomez is only the third Latina ever nominated for producing. Orále Selena.
Moving on, while Apple TV’s Ted Lasso roped in more than 21 Emmy nominations, we were hoping to see Cristo Fernández get some love for the joy and warmth he spreads on the show as Danny Rojas. And we would be all kinds of wrong if we didn’t acknowledge the fact that Reservation Dogs, got zero acknowledgement from the Television Academy.
Y El Punto
So, to sum up, the following statements are all 100% accurate.
Latinos are indeed getting more recognition, period. If by recognition you mean nominations. If by recognition you mean actual wins, Latinos are and continue to be underrepresented.
Assuming the writers and actors strike can somehow have some resolution in the coming weeks and months, the 75TH Emmy Awards will air on FOX on September 18.
Also, queremos más.
