6 Famous Latinos That "Don't Look Latino" | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

6 Famous Latinos That "Don't Look Latino"

Latin America is a very diverse region and there is no one way for Latinos to look.

2222
6 Famous Latinos That "Don't Look Latino"
Wikipedia

I don’t know how many times I’ve heard a variation of “You don’t look Latina/Hispanic/Mexican.” There are a few things wrong with those sentences. The first, of course, being that my family is from El Salvador, not Mexico. The second being that people from Latin America can look like anything. Latin America is a very racially diverse region. Many people in the United States hear the words "Latino," "Hispanic," and "Mexican" and think of people with dark hair, dark eyes, and brown skin. While there are many Latino, Hispanic, and Mexican people that fit that description, not all of us do.

In fact, this idea of what a Latino should look like has effected the representation of Latinos in pop culture. In the film Aliens

, Jenette Goldstein plays the tough Latina space Marine, Vasquez. Goldstein, a light-skinned actress, has brown skin as Vasquez, despite the fact that plenty of real-life Latinas have light skin like the actress. Modern Family

actress Sofia Vergara is a natural blonde and she dyed her hair darker because casting directors thought she didn't look "Latina enough." When someone says “You don’t look Latina,” what they might not realize they’re saying is actually, “You don’t look like my idea of what a Latina is supposed to look like.” So, to show how diverse Latin America is, here are Latinos that don't fit the stereotype of what Latinos should look like.

1. Lynda Carter

Lynda Carter is an actress best known for playing the iconic role of Wonder Woman in The New Adventures of Wonder Woman in the 1970s. As a shout out to her famous role, she's even guest starred on Supergirl as the president of the United States. Carter has Mexican heritage from her mother's side.

2. Kid Cudi

Kid Cudi is a musician that debuted in 2008 with the single "Day 'n' Nite." He has also done some acting, particularly in How to Make It In America

as Domingo Brown. He has Mexican heritage on his father's side.

3. Gina Torres

Gina Torres is an actress best known for playing Zoe Washburne on the popular show Firefly. She also plays Jessica Pearson on Suits. Torres has two Cuban parents and about being an Afro-Latina in Hollywood, she's stated, "When I became an actress, I quickly realized that the world liked their Latinas to look Italian, not like me."

4. Harry Shum Jr.

Harry Shum Jr. is an actor known for playing Mike on Glee, a character whose identity mostly revolves around being Asian. He's also known for playing Magnus Bane, the "freewheeling bisexual" warlock of Shadowhunters

, the TV adaptation of the book series The Mortal Instruments

. Shum is of Chinese descent, but was born and raised in Costa Rica until the young age of six.

5. Louis C.K.

Louis C.K. is a comedian that has a comedy-drama series called Louie that is partially based on his life. He also has a comedy album called Live in Houston

. He has Mexican heritage on his father's side.

6. Bella Thorne

Bella Thorne is an actress best known for her role as CeCe Jones on Shake It Up

. She's currently starring as Paige Townsen in Famous in Love

. She has Cuban heritage on her father's side.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

194752
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

17588
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

459935
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

27805
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments