Rachel Zegler has revealed that Hollywood executives questioned her Latina idenтιтy before she was cast as María in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story. Zegler, who won a Golden Globe for her performance as María, has since starred in blockbuster films such as The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, and Disney’s upcoming Snow White live-action remake. Spielberg’s 2021 adaptation of West Side Story sought to rectify past casting controversies by ensuring its Puerto Rican characters were portrayed by Latino actors. Zegler’s casting was celebrated as a win for representation, but behind the scenes, she faced skepticism about her heritage.

In a recent interview with Allure, Zegler shared how frustrating it was to have executives repeatedly ask for proof of her Latina heritage during the casting process for West Side Story. The actor, born in New Jersey to a Colombian mother and a Polish-American father, recalled the unusual request to validate her background and explained that despite the difficulties, she takes immense pride in her Colombian roots. Read her full comments below:

There’s confusion because I don’t have a single ounce of Latin in my name. When I was in the running for María in West Side Story, they kept calling to ask if I was legit. I remember thinking, Do you want me to bring my abuelita in? I will. I’ll bring her into the studio if you want to meet her.

It’s an interesting experience being part of that diaspora in the current climate we live in. But I love being Colombian.

What This Means For Hollywood’s Treatment Of Latino Actors

There’s A Need for Better Representation & Authenticity in Casting

Spielberg’s version was praised for its commitment to authenticity, particularly in its casting. Unlike the 1961 West Side Story, which featured non-Latino actors in major Latino roles, the acclaimed filmmaker made a conscious effort to cast Latino performers, such as Zegler, David Alvarez, and Ariana DeBose, who won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Anita, just as Rita Moreno did for the same role, back in 1962. Additionally, the film worked closely with cultural consultants to ensure that the depiction of Puerto Rican characters was nuanced and accurate.

Zegler’s experience reflects a larger issue in Hollywood, where Latino actors often face skepticism unless they conform to narrow, stereotypical portrayals of Latin American idenтιтy. The industry’s continued reliance on superficial markers like surnames and appearances limits opportunities for actors from diverse Latino backgrounds and fails to reflect the full spectrum of Latin American heritage. Many Latino actors in Hollywood, despite having strong cultural ties to their backgrounds, have been required to “prove” their ethnicity. Zegler’s story highlights the frustrating reality that such performers must constantly validate their idenтιтy, even when they’re telling their own stories.

Over the years, many Latino actors have spoken out about being overlooked for roles due to not fitting Hollywood’s limited criteria. The push for authentic casting has gained momentum, but cases like Rachel Zegler’s in West Side Story demonstrate that there is still a lot of work to be done. While major studios once pledged to embrace diversity, recent rollbacks on DEI programs from studios like Disney and Paramount, along with some casting decisions, continue to spark debate about whether true progress is being made.

Our Take On Zegler’s Experience & Hollywood’s Casting Bias

The Importance of Diversity

Zegler’s story is an unfortunate example of how Hollywood continues to place unnecessary hurdles on diverse talent. The fact that she had to repeatedly validate her heritage before being cast in West Side Story speaks to the industry’s outdated approach to representation. As Latino-led films gain more prominence, there’s hope that casting directors and executives will broaden their understanding of what it means to be Latino.

Zegler’s success proves that audiences are eager for authentic, diverse representation, and Hollywood must catch up to this reality. Latino representation in Hollywood has expanded, but stories like Zegler’s serve as a reminder that systemic biases still exist, preventing equal opportunities for all Latino performers.

Source: Allure