Soon after Eiza Gonzalez made the headlines for being spotted while kissing the heart-throb Timothee Chalamet during the rendezvous in Mexico, she is now being seen apologizing for doing blackface in her 2007 telenovela, Lola, Érase Una Vez.
“I am deeply sorry and ashamed about having worn blackface makeup shown in the images circulating,” Gonzalez said in a statement to multiple outlets. “As a 15-year-old child actor on my first job in a Mexican telenovela, I was pressured against my will, and with no negotiating power, I could not advocate for myself in the situation. I wish I had the voice and knowledge then that I have now.”
The star also touched on resurfaced photos of her dressed as a geisha. She explained that she was dressed in full makeup and traditional clothing when she was in Japan.
“The other image in question is from a trip I took to Japan. According to my host, it is considered an intercultural exchange to dress up in their traditional clothing and makeup,” she explained. “It is seen as an appreciation of their culture, however, I understand that out of context, this calls for a dialogue about contemporary cultural appropriation.”
Why the situation escalated?
Keeping the current situation in mind, where the American people have been protesting for the Black Lives Matter Movement and many Hollywood stars have participated actively. This situation was taken very seriously by the general public and Chalamet fans.
They did accept their relationship and are happy for both of them but they have clearly stated that will not stand behind something which promotes cultural misappropriation.
Gonzalez’s fight against Latina discrimination.
Gonzalez has many times openly stated that she has the burden of lifting the stigma against the Latin Soap Operas and she feels she must show the world that Latin women are very diverse in their acting.
“All I care is representing Latina women in a way where they feel proud,” she said. “Everything’s a lesson. [I’ve learned] that you should also be proud of everything you do. There are no small things in life. There’s this stigma of doing soap operas and I’m like, soap operas prepped me. I would have never been ready for this. The things that you learn, the discipline and work ethic that you have to have at 13 in a soap opera, that keeps on going every single day and you have to shoot 100 scenes. That’s a lesson. That prepped me to be well prepared for when I came to America. Every single step down the line has been a massive lesson to me in what not to do too.” A lot of other celebrities have been called on being a part of the blackface motion for comedy, one of the famous ones is the late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who can be seen apologizing for his comedic representation of blackface as a young comedian.
She also lead a chant for Black Lives Matter campaign a couple of weeks ago. Check out the video below:
