With another awards season approaching, John Leguizamo continues his fight for representation.
The actor urged the Television Academy to embrace more diversity ahead of voting for the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards as he took out a full-page ad in Sunday’s issue of The New York Times for an open letter.
“Dear Hollywood,” Leguizamo started. “Please let this be the year we finally embrace change. The year we truly find equity and see artists of color represented across not just one category, but ALL categories.
“I know you’re tired of hearing words like ‘inclusivity’ and ‘diversity’ — treading water while you try to understand how to put actions behind these sentiments. Look no further! It’s simple! There are hundreds of prolific non-white artists who deserve to be considered for awards this year, not because they are simply… Black, Brown, Indigenous or Asian but because they are truly great… exceptional artists who have achieved that greatness with a foot on their neck for far too long.”
He continued, “Let this be the start of a new era. Let us not continue to white wash our awards shows. Instead let this year be the catalyst that inspires the next generation of minority and underrepresented artists… a generation who might finally see a reflection of themselves on that stage and think … ‘If they can, maybe I can, too…’”
Leguizamo signed the letter, “Your peer, John Leguizamo. Writer, actor, producer, director & Colombian-American who won’t ever let anyone tell him ‘no.’”
The Menu actor noted on X (formerly Twitter) that although non-Hispanic white people only make up 58.9% of the country’s population, they are “over-represented in top positions across the board.”
“They are the decision makers in tech, banking, corporations, medicine and streamers and Hollywood!” added Leguizamo, sharing photos of the ad. “America is better when it is inclusive. It is more profitable. It is more creative! Let’s not give up. I’m still woke! Are you?”
Voting for the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards begins Thursday, June 13, and nominations are announced on July 17. The awards show is set for Sunday, September 15.
