Alexa Demie, a popular actress known for her role as Maddy in HBO’s “Euphoria” has previously spoken out about her frustration with the way Hollywood casts and treats people of color and it has recently resurfaced online. Demie explained that there was a point in time in which she considered quitting because of how overlooked she felt due to being a mixed woman. She stated that she felt like she had to “prove herself” to casting directors because she isn’t a blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman. The way Demie has spoken about this matter reflects how many other people of color in Hollywood feel.
While many directors and filmmakers will not admit it, Hollywood feeds off of stereotypes. There are countless TV shows and films in which the “sidekick” is a person of color, typically being a friend of a white protagonist. In particular, many black women are portrayed as the “sassy” friend on TV. Even Disney has used this trope, an example of this being the character Ivy in “Good Luck Charlie.” Other racial stereotypes that are still commonly used today include black men as dangerous, Asian men as nerds, Asian women as cleaning ladies and Latina women as fiery. These stereotypes are usually used in a comedic sense, but they are still stereotypes. Despite what the intentions may be, they are still damaging.
Many people of color are only cast in roles that specifically pertain to their race and ethnicity. Portraying other cultures in film is extremely important and encourages diversity in the film world.
However, white people are cast in roles whether or not it pertains to their race. Many people of color are expected to only be in films if the role specifically calls for it. Alexa Demie describes this, stating how many lead roles are filled by white people and aren’t written to be played by people of color. She even stated how she felt the role of Maddy was seen as the cliché blonde-haired, blue-eyed woman before she booked it.
Creating films about other cultures is imperative to creating a more diverse Hollywood and future, but diversity also includes allowing people of color to portray roles outside of their race. We saw the effects of this when the internet was swarmed with little girls amazed that Halle Bailey, a black woman, portrayed Ariel in Disney’s live action adaptation of ‘The Little Mermaid.’ Seeing someone who looked like them play a princess they already knew and loved encouraged them to be confident and love who they are.
Hollywood is actively working to push people of color out of the industry and discourage them from acting. It is important to see past harmful stereotypes and support media that allows diversity to exist in a positive light.
