The controversy surrounding A24’s “Deep Cuts” finally seems to be at a close.
Today, Deadline announced that Latina-Jewish actor Ariela Barer has been cast in the movie as Zoe Gutierrez. Zoe is described in the book as being half Jewish and half Mexican, while Ariela is the child of Jews born in Mexico. “SO excited to be a part of this special project with such special people,” the 27-year-old “Last of Us” actor wrote on her Instagram story.
“Deep Cuts,” based on the novel by Holly Brickley, follows Percy (Cailee Spaeny) and Joe (Drew Starkey) as they fall in love and navigate creative partnership in the early 2000s. One of the complicated factors is Zoe, Joe’s longterm girlfriend.
Ariela replaces Odessa A’zion in the role of Zoe; Odessa dropped out of the film after receiving backlash due to the fact that she does not have Mexican heritage. “Guys! I am with all of you and I am not doing this movie. Lemme make myself clear,” Odessa explained, in part, on Instagram on Jan. 28. “I’m so sorry that this happened. I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes! I’m so pissed y’all, I hadn’t read the book and should have paid attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting…and now that I know what I know? Fuck that. I’m out!”
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Following Odessa pulling out of the project, a group of over 100 Latino actors and creatives including Eva Longoria, John Leguizamo and Xochitl Gomez signed on to a letter urging Hollywood to ensure that Latinx actors are not overlooked. “We acknowledge and commend Odessa A’zion for listening, reflecting and deciding to exit the project and become an ally. Yet how did this happen?” The letter asked. “The absence of Latina audition opportunities, and the choice to replace a clearly Latina character with a non-Latina actress, signals a broader, ongoing erasure of our community from the stories that define our culture. This is not about any one actor or project. It is about a system that repeatedly overlooks qualified Latino talent even as our identities, histories, and experiences fuel the most enduring stories.”
For Ariela’s part, there is no bad blood between them and Odessa. “And a genuine major shoutout to @odessaazion for always leading with integrity and for being an absolute real one for as long as I’ve known her,” they said on Instagram. Meanwhile, the “Marty Supreme” actress responded with exuberance. “THAT’S WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT BABY,” she said while sharing the news on Instagram. She went on, “I stand by my decision and am so so so so so happy this is the outcome.”
And so are we! While the concept of a Mexican-Jewish actor portraying a Mexican and Jewish character should not feel quite so novel, it’s undeniable how exciting it is that Ariela can bring authenticity to Zoe’s heritage. Mazel tov, Ariela!
