Odessa A'zion drops out of role over 'whitewashing' backlash
Marty Supreme star Odessa A'zion has quit her role as Zoe Gutierrez in Deep Cuts after backlash over "whitewashing".
Odessa A'zion has dropped out of Deep Cuts after backlash over "whitewashing".
The 25-year-old actress has been cast as Zoe Gutierrez - a Jewish character of Mexican heritage - in Sean Durkin's upcoming adaptation of Holly Brickley's acclaimed novel, and she has now addressed the controversy over the decision to cast a white performer as a person of colour.
She wrote on her Instagram Story: "Guys!! I am will ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie. F*** that. I'm OUT. (sic)"
Odessa's parents are American actress Pamela Adlon - whose father was born to a Jewish family - and German director Felix Adlon.
The Marty Supreme star thanked everyone for "bringing this to [her] attention", and insisted she agrees with the backlash.
She continued: “Lemme make myself clear…I’m so so sorry that this happened. It is SO important for me to let you in how it all went down.
“I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes! I’m so p***** y’all, I hadn’t read the book and should have paid more attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting… and now that I know what I know??? F*** that! IM OUT.
“I’d never take a role from someone else that’s meant to do it. That SHOULD do it! That’s not me.
"There are a plentitude of people more than capable of playing this role and I am NOT one of them. I can’t wait to see who it ends up being. (sic)"
Odessa admitted she was "so excited" by the project after reading the script and she was "just down to be a part of it" with "this group of people".
However, she added: "I’ve been so busy with other work I was trying to carve out a time to reread, I wish I found that time sooner and clocked her name.
“That’s all that’s mentioned in the script when I just finally did. Thank you thank you THANK YOU GUYS FOR LETTING ME KNOW!!!”
The I Love LA actress noted she is yet to read the Deep Cuts novel, but she couldn't in good conscience play the part after details about her character became clear.
She said: "Still haven’t read the book but the story in the script is focused on Percy and Joe, so of course on my initial read that was my main focus as well.
"I was happy to be involved as a different role, but I just can not do it knowing more about Zoe now.”
