11 Latina Actresses Who Have Spoken Out on Hollywood Stereotypes and Lack of Diversity

Credit: BELatina/BrandStar

It is no secret that Latinos have been grossly underrepresented in Hollywood. And when Latino actors are included, they are often portraying criminals and domestic workers. Back in the earlier days of film and television, we were “greasers,” “banditos,” immoral and/or angry women, and comedically dim-witted individuals.

Today, however, the tides are changing, with a variety of roles being interpreted by Latinas, and people of our ethnicity and culture(s) are creating those projects which are absent. But we still have a long way to go. Here are 11 actresses in Hollywood who are holding it down for Latinos everywhere have spoken out about both the stereotypes assigned to us as a people, as well as the notion that all we look, act, and are the same.

7Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez IG @jlo latina stereotypes
Photo Credit IG @jlo

Jennifer Lopez is an iconic, international star. While she has knocked down so many barriers, and achieved major success, there are doors that appear to remain closed to the Nuyorican. “I’d be stupid not to take into consideration that there are certain things people will not consider me for because my name is Lopez,” she has said. “And I know I can do any kind of role. I don’t want anybody to say, Oh, she can’t pull this off. So those are barriers that you have to overcome.”