'Jane The Virgin' Cast & News: Gina Rodriguez Says Latinos Actors Need to Unite & Be Seen 'As One Community'
In order to increase the representation of Latinos in Hollywood, actress Gina Rodriguez said that Latinos must stand together on a united front.
On Sunday, the "Jane The Virgin" star opened up about the lack of Latino actors in mainstream roles while encouraging the Hispanic community to come together and fight with and for one another to help diversify the industry.
"We need to unite. They see us as one community - we need to be one community. Let's do that, use our power as Latinos, whatever culture you identify with and celebrate," said the 30-year-old actress, referring to those outside of the Latino community, according to Deadline.
Rodriguez went on to encourage Latino actors to speak to the casting director about hiring Hispanics to fulfil specific roles.
"Let's get our viewership, just like 'Empire,'" she said, which sparked cheers from the crowd.
The other panelists from "Jane The Virgin," who included co-stars Andrea Navedo, Jaime Camil, Ivonne Coll, Brett Dier, Justin Baldoni and Yael Grobglas, also talked about Latino issues. The panel also included executive producers Ben Silverman and Jennie Urman and moderator Jarett Wieselman.
Coll addressed the illegal-immigrant status of her character, who is Jane's grandmother on the show.
"I am so happy that I represent so many immigrants who come to this country and work so hard - we are part of the fabric of America," Coll said. "It's not just about 'these Latinos.' I am representing a demographic that exists. I put a human face on the hundreds of thousands of illegal aliens who are here who are not criminals, (who) are hard-working people,"
Showrunner Urman discussed how she manages to create realistic characters in spite of the fact that she is not Latina. "I think it's about writing people, not writing race," she said.
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