Orange is The New Black actress Selenis Leyva, is out here fighting the good fight, for all of our Latina sisters who believe in owning their public image.
“Latinas are still, unfortunately—or fortunately for some— just looked at as sex objects, as people that maybe are just there to show their curves, to make people laugh by their mispronunciations of names or words. We’re actors; we’re trained. I love the fact that I can play Gloria Mendoza, a prisoner and now be in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming’ as a teacher.”
Leyva to People’s Chica
The Netflix series starlet, brought up recently this subject once again, now to People Chica. The misrepresentation of latinas in popular culture is pervasive in the industry, but Leyva feels fortunate to have had opportunities to prove that the women of the Latino community can be more than just a male gaze commodity on-screen.
The 45-year-old actress explained the importance of a trailblazer series like OITNB, that spearheads latino representation not only in the U.S. but worldwide.
“In Hollywood, we always have to deal with the one Latina representing us, and they usually latch on to one Latina per year or one network says ‘we believe in diversity’ and they have one Latina or one Latino in one out of ten shows. With ‘OITNB I think there is celebration in the Latino community, I don’t think we’ve ever had five, six Latinas in a show this huge worldwide. We haven’t. And I think that the writers aren’t focusing on any stereotypes, they’re telling stories, real stories that can happen to anyone regardless of race.”
Leyva to People’s Chica
Even though the road to equity might at times feel oh so long and full of obstacles, it is important to remember that there were times when we were completely alone and unrepresented. Now we can claim that we’re gaining ground, and the future of the Latino community has never looked so bright.