Chrissie Fit, who plays Flo in the Pitch Perfect franchise, recently revealed in a People magazine interview that before landing any roles, a former acting coach suggested she change her last name to her mother’s maiden name, ‘Gutierrez’. The coach said Gutierrez was much more Latino sounding than her father’s.
“I thought about changing it for a second,” the Miami-born Cuban-American star admitted. “But then I decided to drop the acting class instead. Just because my name isn’t a typical Latino name doesn’t make me any less Latina. That’s my father’s name, and I love him so much, so I’m glad I didn’t change it.”
In the end, her last name didn’t make a difference, gaining a role as Mercedes on General Hospital, CheeChee on Disney’s Teen Beach Movie, and most recently, the dry-witted Flo.
Chrissie faced a recurring issue Latinos and other minorities in Hollywood face. They’re encouraged to meet more stereotypes to land roles.
“My biggest battle is against the Hollywood image of a Latina. Or what they think it should be,” said Fit. “The skin color, sex appeal, and body type they’re comfortable with. I’ve heard things like, ‘We want someone that’s just Latina enough.’ It’s such BS!”
“That’s why I’ve found Flo so refreshing,” she continued. “A lot of times they want to over-sexualize Latinas on TV and in films. I’m happy I get to play a sometimes morbid character.”
Proud of her root, the actress further states, “We come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. That’s why I think we need more Latinas behind the camera making decisions.” Fit hopes to someday develop her own projects alongside women, more specifically, Latinas.
In a similar case, Gina Rodriguez was denied a Latina role when her Spanish wasn’t seen as good enough. “Riverdale” star, Camila Mendes, often faces backlash, as well, for not looking Latina enough.
Chloe Bennet also changed her last name from Wang because her Chinese last name made it harder for her to land roles. Having a foreign last name can make succeeding in Hollywood much more difficult but in Fit’s case, it was the other way around.
This article was inspired by ENEWS // Pitch Perfect Star Chrissie Fit´s Last Name Wasn´t Latino Enough for a Former Acting Coach