Casting Based on Race or Talent?
Why does race have to be such a center point, both in
conversation and in the context of film roles? Mary C. Beltran writes “In this
film (Out of Sight), Jennifer Lopez’s
ethnicity is but a sidenote” and “Lopez’s position in Hollywood […] was
becoming […] less dependent on playing sexualized or stereotypical Latino
roles” (71). These statements have several implications. First, the fact that
there is a remark on her ethnicity being considered a sidenote, implies that
most of the time, it is not. Previously, Jennifer Lopez’s ethnicity was a
noticeable element in her characters. As the second quote explains, as a Latina
actress, she was specifically cast in Latina roles. With most movie characters,
they are described by their attributes and emotional arcs. In those cases, one
could theoretically cast anyone as long as they can “act” the part with their
emotions and physicality. Most often, Hollywood casts white actors. However,
the roles that Latinos or African Americans often get cast in, are roles that
specifically evolve around their race within the story. For example, Hollywood
often casts African American or Latino actors in service or labor positions or
in films that are set in a foreign country. Latinos unfortunately do not often
get cast as the lead role, if the role does not specifically require a Latino.
What Mary C. Beltran notes however, is the breakthrough of
this Hollywood trend. Jennifer Lopez seems to have been the first Latina
actress to get cast in leading roles that didn’t evolve around race in any
manner. In essence, Hollywood was learning to diversify and accept all races in
all roles and positions.
Although the movement towards diversity in casting is
happening slowly, Jennifer Lopez did start the trend. Latina actresses like
Penelope Cruz, America Ferrera and Vanessa Hudgens are now huge film
celebrities, and they are cast in leading female roles, that are unassociated
with ethnicity. They are purely cast for their talent, beauty and fit with the
role, just as white actresses are cast.
That is a good point, Jennifer did open the door for other Latina actresses to take lead roles, but also African American. Kerry Washington's character in Scandal not only has a great high paying profession but also is associated, professionally and romantically with the president who is interested in Kerry for her attractiveness and competence and race doesn't seem to be an issue (side note I haven't seen a lot of episodes so maybe it is mentioned and I just don't know). Anyway, I think it is great that despite tense race relations right now in real life that there are people in Hollywood who are tying to overcome racism through entertainment by creating characters that people can identify with as people, not by identify just by race. Jennifer Lopez got the role because she was a good actress and fit the role, simple as that.
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