Top stories written by Latinas delivered to you each month in partnership with #WeAllGrow Latina
GORDITA IS OUT, BUT FRANCO IS IN?
Given how much is at stake for this nation’s culture, the mostly white men who helm these enormous media companies must engage Latinos with greater urgency and determination.
Jean Guerrero
.
GORDITA. BATGIRL. AND JAMES FRANCO
Another beloved comedy was canceled this month, and we think it’s more than a coincidence that it’s another Latinx show. Gordita Chronicles featured a nuanced and beloved heroine Cucu a proudly “brown and chubby” 12-year-old Dominicana whose family moves to the United States.
Earlier this month Batgirl, a film in production starring In the Heights actress Leslie Grace, was killed by executives. The loss of these two shows might seem like just another day in Hollywood, but it reveals a disturbing trend that continues to eliminate Latinx representation.
The numbers prove that minimizing and ignoring Latinx-produced shows is not only bad for representation, it’s also bad for business. “38% of Latino homes pay for cable or satellite TV and also subscribe to streaming services, compared to 29% of the overall U.S. population” according to a June report from firm Horowitz Research.
Meanwhile, it was revealed that James Franco is posed to play Fidel Castro in a new picture based on his life. And even though Castro’s daughter apparently approves of the casting choice, many Latine people are left wondering: why? And what are the implications as actor John Leguizamo explained on Instagram: “We’re 30 percent of the box office—I want 30 percent of the roles, okay? Thirty percent. That means out of every ten movies, three of those should be Latin movies, and out of ten actors in your Marvel movies, three will be Latin actors.”
Leguizamo gets it. Sorry, not sorry Franco.
THE REIGN OF BAD BUNNY
WHY WE LOVE BAD BUNNY & WHAT’S NEXT
Last week, the icon known as Bad Bunny made history by becoming the first Latin artist to win Artist of the Year at the Video Music Awards. He is also starring in the blockbuster film Bullet Train, released in August. Which leaves us asking what can’t he do?
As Rosa Clemente said in an interview with Popsugar, “I have so much love and respect for him. [Bad Bunny] upholds what it means to have really progressive, revolutionary ideas and ideals.” Not only is he unapologetic about his Puertorican roots, he is one of the few Latin artist constantly challenging ideas of toxic masculinity.
It’s rare to see an artist that is so intentional about every aspect of their performance. Whether it’s his concerts’ viral ASL interpreters, or the decision to kiss another man on stage, Bad Bunny continues to make music that is authentically and indisputably Puerto Rican, and we love it. As the Conejo Malo himself said, “I never made a song thinking, Man, this is for the world. This is to capture the gringo audience. Never. On the contrary, I make songs as if only Puerto Ricans were going to listen to them. I still think I’m there making music, and it’s for Puerto Ricans.”
THE STAN CHRONICLES
It’s probably the most refreshingly authentic Latinx series I’ve seen in a hot second. You’ve got the main cast seamlessly flowing from Spanish to English and speaking in Mexican American slang without having to explain it for the audience.
Savannah Salazar
.
THE “COOL KIDS” WE JUST CAN’T STOP WRITING ABOUT
These days with so much content dropping basically every second, it’s easy to miss your next favorite show. That’s why we’re taking a beat to highlight some of our favorite pieces featuring the people and shows we keep hearing about.
If you haven’t watched Mindy Kaling’s Never Have I Ever, you’re missing out. It’s got all the ingredients for the perfect teen show – laughs, love, and actor Lee Rodriguez as the nerdy, tech-savvy best friend. A character like Fabiola is rare in Hollywood, and Rodriguez realizes the importance of it, saying “I really love when people feel like they can see themselves through Fabiola and feel represented. It’s truly an honor.”
Also, this month, news broke that one of our favorite characters from the hit show Euphoria would not be back for the third season. Barbie Ferreira, who portrayed the body-conscious Kat Hernandez, announced Wednesday that she would not return. We don’t know about you, but we will miss Kat Hernandez, particularly as we see the exit of another Latina character from the silver screen.
If you’re looking for laughs, Hulu just released This Fool, a show created by comedian Chris Estrada and produced by Fred Armisen. “This Fool stars Estrada as Julio Lopez, a self-proclaimed ‘punk-ass bitch’ and nonprofit worker at an L.A. gang-rehabilitation center called Hugs Not Thugs.” If that pitch doesn’t sell you, check out writers Alejandra Gularte and Savannah Salazar piece in Vulture.
LATINAS ON THE BYLINES 💬
🧠 Think About It
I Was Trapped by Latine & Asian Femininity. Then I Found Freedom
📰 In the News
Women’s Suffrage, Our Namesake Amendment and Its Enduring Lessons
🤩 We’re Here for This
We’re here for this: Going to an HBCU as a Black Latina Taught Me a Very Critical Lesson
