But Hollywood has a Deeper Systemic Problem.

Actress Odessa A’zion has officially dropped out of the upcoming A24 film 

The Controversy

• Whitewashing Claims: A’zion, who is of German and Jewish descent, was cast to play Zoe Gutierrez, a character explicitly described as Mexican and Jewish in Holly Brickley’s 2025 novel.
• Initial Audition: She revealed that she originally auditioned for the lead role of Percy (which went to Cailee Spaeny) but was offered the role of Zoe instead and accepted without having read the book.
• The Exit: After being informed of the character’s heritage by fans, A’zion announced her departure on Instagram on January 28, 2026, stating, “I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie… I’d never take a role from someone else that’s meant to do it”. 

The “Hollywood Problem”

Critics and fans argue that A’zion’s exit highlights a persistent “Hollywood Problem” where studios prioritize established names—often “nepo babies” (A’zion is the daughter of Pamela Adlon)—over authentic casting. While A’zion’s swift departure was praised by some as personal accountability, others maintain that the systemic issue remains unsolved as the production was willing to “whitewash” the role in the first place.

The Deeper Systemic Issues

• The “Erasure” Problem: Studies from the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative show that despite Latinos being roughly 19% of the U.S. population, they hold only about 4% of lead roles in theatrical films. Nearly half of top-grossing films completely erase Latino characters from speaking roles.
• Reliance on Established Names: Critics argue that Hollywood’s casting process often prioritizes actors with pre-existing fame or industry connections (like “nepo babies”) over searching for authentic talent. A’zion herself noted she was offered the role of Zoe Gutierrez after auditioning for a different, non-Latina lead.
• The Scripting Gap: A’zion revealed that the Deep Cuts script barely mentioned the character’s Mexican heritage, which she cited as a reason she didn’t realize the mismatch until fans pointed it out. This speaks to a tendency to treat diverse backgrounds as interchangeable or secondary unless they are the central plot point.
• Stereotypical Portrayals: When Latino characters are cast, they are still disproportionately relegated to one-dimensional roles—often depicted as criminals (24%) or in low-income service positions (13%) rather than complex, highly educated professionals.
• Financial Blind Spots: Research suggests Hollywood leaves an estimated $18 billion on the table annually by under-representing and failing to engage Latino audiences, who consistently over-index on ticket purchases and streaming subscriptions. 

While some call A’zion’s move a “win” for accountability, many advocates argue that true solutions require more Latino decision-makers—directors, producers, and studio executives—who can ensure authenticity from the script’s first draft. 

To be continued…