'In The Heights' writer Lin-Manuel Miranda apologizes for lack of Afro-Latino stars
Fox News
“In the Heights” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda is addressing criticism over the film’s lack of Afro-Latino representation.
"I started writing ‘In the Heights’ because I didn’t feel seen. And over the past 20 years all I wanted was for us — ALL of us — to feel seen," Miranda’s statement begins. "I’m seeing the discussion around Afro-Latino representation in our film this weekend and it is clear that many in our dark-skinned Afro-Latino community don’t feel sufficiently represented within it, particularly among the leading roles." The discussion Miranda mentions stems from a video article in The Root, published on Wednesday, which points out that there are no dark-skinned Afro-Latinos in the film’s leading roles. In an interview with "In the Heights" director Jon M. Chu and stars Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera and Gregory Diaz IV, journalist Felice León questioned the film’s casting decisions. "What would you say to folks who say that ‘In the Heights’ privileges white-passing and light-skinned Latinx people?" León asked, to which Chu replied: "I would say that’s a fair conversation to have. Listen, we’re not going to get everything right in a movie. We tried our best on all fronts of it." The Root article notes that Miranda did not agree to be interviewed by them on the subject.More Related News