'Blatino' Like Me

Three years ago I was waiting with high hopes in an audition holding room in New York City. The casting was for a Latino role in a nationwide commercial with a big-name director, and I knew I had the goods to land it. But after half an hour of waiting, the casting director emerged from the audition room with a headshot in hand and said, "If you look like this gentleman right here, please step off the line. We will not be seeing you." The "look" he was referring to was that of a Latino male with dark skin, full lips, a medium-wide nose, and a round face -- and the headshot was mine.

As an African-Latino with Puerto Rican roots, I never seem to look the part. I assume the "look" the casting director wanted that day was that of the Latino we see on television every day: the light-skinned, thin-lipped, pointed-nose kind. Though real Latinos come in all shapes and sizes, Hollywood rarely strays from this image, and the lack of variety has affected our common perception of what a Latino looks like.

Due to the wall I constantly run into when auditioning for Latino roles, I started auditioning more often for African-American jobs. I have landed more jobs this way, and I have been honored and privileged to play them. However, sometimes when auditioning for these roles, I run into the same type of wall, only this time I "don't look black enough."

This is a predicament in which many black Latinos in the industry find themselves, whether it be dance, art, production, or music. Where do we "Blatinos" fit in exactly? As actors and performers, we all knew when we stepped into this world that we would face rejection for not having the right look. I can't say I didn't see it coming, and it would be irrational to believe my mixed background wouldn't get in the way of jobs. However, I maintain that my look is the one that casting directors are seeking -- whether they know it or not. When I do land roles, I show the audience that my nose, lips, and round face make up the look of an actor who can play any role. As actors, it is our job to rise up.

At the 2007 HBO New York International Latino Film Festival, I was interviewed to promote an award-winning short film called Rewind, in which I had a lead role. During my interview I praised the film festival, but I also shared my views of how narrowly Latinos are portrayed in the media. However, I have yet to see my interview posted online among the rest of the interviews.

We can change. The process is slow, but it is happening. In my own acting career, I am involved with the comedy troupe Lose Control, which features a cast of all Latino and African-Latino actors. I am also in an Off-Broadway show called Men Are Real in which I was able to write my own piece and incorporate my experience as a Blatino. Both productions in their individual ways help spread the message that Latinos are a very talented and diverse-looking people. Being a part of these two casts makes me feel confident there is hope for all Latinos in the industry.

But if we as a Latino people continue to portray ourselves one particular way in Latino media, why should Hollywood be any different? We need to unite as a people and break away from the stereotypes so that change can happen. We have to be the ones to show we can all act and work together in a unified Latino front. If we can elect a mixed-race president, we can definitely expand the nature of Latino roles and Latino perceptions. It's time to accurately portray Latinos as they really are: diverse. 

Antonio Miguel Lopez is an actor-writer in New York.

Comments

[MICHAEL S. LOPEZ]

THIS ARTICLE IS PROGRESSIVE AND WELL WRITTEN. I AM NOT SAYING THIS BECAUSE THE WRITER IS MY SON BUT BECAUSE I HAVE SEEN FROM EXPERIENCE THAT WHAT TONY SAY IS FACT. UNITY IS THE KEY IN ALL MEDIUMS FOR ARTIST.