Actor John Leguizamo recently placed a full-page advertisement in the New York Times, urging industry professionals who vote for Emmy Award nominations to consider and support “non-white artists” in order to promote greater inclusion within the entertainment industry. In his ad, he emphasizes that embracing change and increasing representation will lead to increased creativity and profitability across the board.
Leguizamo’s call to action begins by expressing hope that this could be the year when true equity is achieved, with artists of color being represented in every category. He acknowledges that many may be tired of hearing about inclusivity and diversity, but offers a simple solution: recognizing the talents and achievements of numerous non-white artists who are deserving of nominations and awards not just because of their ethnicity, but because they are exceptional in their fields.
The Spawn star emphasizes that this represents an opportunity for a new era in entertainment, one where Awards shows no longer exclusively showcase white talent and the next generation of underrepresented artists can see themselves on stage, potentially inspiring them to pursue their dreams.
Leguizamo’s ad also highlights the ongoing issue of the lack of Hispanic representation within the industry, particularly in roles that are traditionally associated with these ethnicities. Last year, he criticized the producers of the recent Super Mario Brothers project for not hiring a Hispanic actor for an Italian role. In another post, Leguizamo points out that white people make up only 58.9% of the population but are overrepresented in top positions across various industries, including tech, banking, corporations, medicine, and Hollywood.
The ad also mentions a list of notable Hollywood figures who have the right to vote in upcoming award seasons, tagging them in a call for greater parity within the industry. Additionally, Leguizamo tags several politicians and other influential individuals, expressing his determination to continue speaking out until true inclusivity is achieved.
Throughout his career, Leguizamo has been an advocate for far-left Democrat policies and has not shied away from voicing his opinions on issues such as representation within the entertainment industry. In May, he even criticized financially struggling Hispanics for blaming President Joe Biden for their economic struggles.