Xochitl Gomez, Dolores Huerta and Jay Hernandez Talk Latino Resilience and the Continued Fight for Representation in Hollywood at NALIP’s 25th Anniversary Celebration
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers (NALIP) celebrated its 25th anniversary this weekend, bringing out heavyweight talent for a star-studded party on Friday.
“[We are] celebrating resilience, and the success of the icons that we have today,” NALIP executive director Diana Luna told Variety. “We are lacking representation in a very problematic way … We live in a multicultural world, and everyone has to have a space. So that’s why we’re demanding space, and we want to make sure that the industry understands that we are here and that we are ready to be [here] and take over.”
More from Variety
NALIP works to bring Latino creative media professionals and their stories to the forefront. The organization gives the community access to resources and networking events that help usher in success and innovation. Many members have enjoyed success in Hollywood.
“NALIP has always been a supporter of mine,” “Lopez vs. Lopez” showrunner Debby Wolfe said. “When I moved out here, they were the first organization to believe in my writing. And I got to do a workshop with them in New Mexico, and 20 years later, I’m here doing a panel for a show that I’m running.”
“Magnum P.I.” star Jay Hernandez said that, having benefitted from NALIP, he feels the responsibility to work within the organization and the industry at large to keep the door open for future generations.
“I think I’ve sort of reached the place where I feel like it’s part of my duty to uplift our community, and tell stories that Hollywood [hasn’t] really cared about,” Hernandez said.
Countering the typical “every man for himself” industry narrative, “Our Flags Mean Death” star Vico Ortiz said that the community is stronger together.
“Because we work together better by being together,” Vico Ortiz said. “I feel like it’s so beautiful to have organizations like this one that see the need to have our stories be told and to lift each other up.”
Legendary activist Dolores Huerta stressed the importance of having Latino voices on the screen.
“We still have [what] I call the cactus garden between Hollywood and Los Angeles,” Huerta said. “And I think we need a lot more support in the industry, because Latinos are a very large part of the population. But it’s very difficult to get our stories out there.”
Huerta also commented on President Joe Biden’s debate performance. “It was a debate. Biden lost the debate, but he hasn’t lost the election,” she concluded.
“Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” actress Xochitl Gomez said that while the Latino film and television community is a tight-knit circle, there is always room for more people to join NALIP and communicate diverse stories.
“This is family to me. I think [I know] almost all these people. I’ve hung out with them. Hollywood’s a small town,” Gomez said. “We become friends. And the more people that come in, we’re not going to treat them like an outsider.”
“Griselda” star Juliana Aiden Martinez said that in 25 more years, she’d love to see more intricacies added to stories about the Latino experience.
“I would love for us to, 25 years from now, be celebrating stories that show our nuance, our multi dimensions, as a human beings,” Martinez said.
See photos from NALIP’s 25th anniversary celebration below.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
