Odessa A'Zion pulls out of 'offensive' film role after admitting 'I didn't read the book'
An actor has announced on Instagram that she pulled out of a film role following a viral online backlash to being cast as a Mexican character for an upcoming film.
Odessa A’Zion is one of the fastest rising celebrity names in Hollywood, having appeared in Marty Supreme alongside Timothee Chalamet as well as appearing in I Love La and Until Dawn in the last year.
A’Zion took to Instagram following a viral backlash to the announcement that she was set to appear as ‘Zoe Gutierrez’ in the upcoming Sean Durkin adaptation of Deep Cuts being produced by A24.
A’Zion is white with Jewish ancestry and the character of Gutierrez is a Mexican Jewish woman, leading her to receive major criticism online.
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As well as multiple posts on social media from fans, several celebrities posted online criticising the lack of Hispanic representation in Hollywood, with Melissa Barrera posting about ‘representation and erasure’.
O’Zion, who was set to star in the film from the Iron Claw director alongside Cailee Spanny and Drew Starkey, posted confirming that she was dropping out of the role and stating she had not read the book.
The actor said: “Guys!! I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie... F*ck that. I’m OUT.”
O’Zion thanked her fans for ‘bringing it to her attention’ clarifying that she agrees with ‘every single one of you’.
She added: “This is why I love you guys. I’m so sorry that this happened. It is SO important for me to let you in on how it all went down:
“I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes!
“I’m so p*ssed y’all, I hadn’t read the book and should have paid more attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting.”
The book focuses on two music obsessed people in their 20s grappling with ‘ambition, belonging, and adulthood’, with Percy set to be played in the film by Cailee Spaeny.
O’Zion added that she would ‘never take a role from someone else that’s meant to do it.
“That SHOULD do it! That’s not me.
“There are a plentitude of people more than capable of playing this role and I am NOT one of them.”
She went on to state her excitement to find out who would be taking on the role.
Fans online have been mixed in their reactions, but the vast majority have been praising the actor for her honesty.
A popular comment on a Reddit Thread about her pulling out said: “Everyone's dogpiling on her in the threads I've seen, but my understanding is that she auditioned for a different role, was offered and accepted the latina role without knowing anything about it, and has now backed out… I literally don't see any problems here.”
Another comment on Reddit was more critical, saying: “She didn't read the characters name and not clock she was latina? Girl...”
A separate post about the situation on X, however, said: “Respect for listening. Recast it right.”
Topics: TV and Film, Celebrity, Film, Social Media, Viral, Instagram
Michael Slavin