Where is the love for us Latinas and our brown-skinned hermanas, Vanity Fair?! Earlier this year, the reputable magazine printed the 2010 New Hollywood cover that stirred up controversy because of the actresses chosen to be part of this lineup.
Albeit incredibly beautiful and talented, Vanity Fair chose to highlight pale-skinned, thin, White actresses only.
Problems with this, anyone? This is why I've come up with my own list of Latina actresses who are just as beautiful and talented.
They have color and sabor Latino which makes these Cosmopolatinas irresistible to watch: Zoe Saldana- born to a Dominican father and a Puerto Rican mother, while in DR she practiced ballet at one of the most prestigious dance schools in the country.
Saldana returned to New York at age 17, where she began involving herself in theatre groups that helped her land her first on screen part as Eva in the dance film, Center Stage (2000).
In 2009, she received an ALMA award for best actress in Star Trek.
Most recently her role in the incredibly acclaimed movie Avatar has continued to sky-rocket her career.
America Ferrara- was born in Los Angeles to parents who immigrated to the United States from Honduras in the mid-1970s.
She landed the acclaimed lead role of Betty in Ugly Betty in 2006, an adaptation of the Colombian hit novela Yo soy Betty, la fea, in which she portrays a girl whom her peers find unattractive.
In 2007, Time chose Ferrera as one of the top artists and entertainers in their "Time 100: The Most Influential People in the World" issue.
Catalina Sandino Moreno- was born in Bogotá, Colombia.
She relocated to New York City in 2004, after she was noticed for her talent at the Rubén Di Pietro acting school in Bogotá.
She was then referred to a casting audition for the 2004 film Maria Full of Grace where she beat over 900 girls for the lead role.
Sandino's role in this movie made her the second South American and third Hispanic actress nominated for an Academy Award.
Melonie Diaz- was raised in New York City's lower east side by parents of Puerto Rican descent.
Her breakthrough roles came as Blanca in Catherine Hardwicke's Lords of Dogtown (2005) and as Laurie in Dito Montiel's A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) which earned her an Independent Spirit Awards nomination for Best Supporting Female.
She was subsequently cast by Jamie Babbit in the lead role of Anna in Itty Bitty Titty Committee (2007) as well as a role in Hamlet 2 and Be Kind Rewind in 2008.
Karen Olivo- born to a Native American and Puerto Rican dad and a Chinese Dominican mom, Karen is true multicultural Latina.
In 2009, Karen received her first Tony Award for her performance as Anita in the Broadway revival of West Side Story.
She earned her second Astaire Award nomination for Best Female Dancer for her performance in West Side Story, after previously winning the same award in 2008 for her performance in In the Heights.
She is currently contracted with West Side Story at the Palace through 2010.
These true Cosmopolatinas are surely paving the way for Latinas everywhere.
Maybe next year Vanity Fair will decide to add some Latina spice to their cover.
If not, don't worry chicas, at LaCosmopolatina we will feature you any day!
Albeit incredibly beautiful and talented, Vanity Fair chose to highlight pale-skinned, thin, White actresses only.
Problems with this, anyone? This is why I've come up with my own list of Latina actresses who are just as beautiful and talented.
They have color and sabor Latino which makes these Cosmopolatinas irresistible to watch: Zoe Saldana- born to a Dominican father and a Puerto Rican mother, while in DR she practiced ballet at one of the most prestigious dance schools in the country.
Saldana returned to New York at age 17, where she began involving herself in theatre groups that helped her land her first on screen part as Eva in the dance film, Center Stage (2000).
In 2009, she received an ALMA award for best actress in Star Trek.
Most recently her role in the incredibly acclaimed movie Avatar has continued to sky-rocket her career.
America Ferrara- was born in Los Angeles to parents who immigrated to the United States from Honduras in the mid-1970s.
She landed the acclaimed lead role of Betty in Ugly Betty in 2006, an adaptation of the Colombian hit novela Yo soy Betty, la fea, in which she portrays a girl whom her peers find unattractive.
In 2007, Time chose Ferrera as one of the top artists and entertainers in their "Time 100: The Most Influential People in the World" issue.
Catalina Sandino Moreno- was born in Bogotá, Colombia.
She relocated to New York City in 2004, after she was noticed for her talent at the Rubén Di Pietro acting school in Bogotá.
She was then referred to a casting audition for the 2004 film Maria Full of Grace where she beat over 900 girls for the lead role.
Sandino's role in this movie made her the second South American and third Hispanic actress nominated for an Academy Award.
Melonie Diaz- was raised in New York City's lower east side by parents of Puerto Rican descent.
Her breakthrough roles came as Blanca in Catherine Hardwicke's Lords of Dogtown (2005) and as Laurie in Dito Montiel's A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints (2006) which earned her an Independent Spirit Awards nomination for Best Supporting Female.
She was subsequently cast by Jamie Babbit in the lead role of Anna in Itty Bitty Titty Committee (2007) as well as a role in Hamlet 2 and Be Kind Rewind in 2008.
Karen Olivo- born to a Native American and Puerto Rican dad and a Chinese Dominican mom, Karen is true multicultural Latina.
In 2009, Karen received her first Tony Award for her performance as Anita in the Broadway revival of West Side Story.
She earned her second Astaire Award nomination for Best Female Dancer for her performance in West Side Story, after previously winning the same award in 2008 for her performance in In the Heights.
She is currently contracted with West Side Story at the Palace through 2010.
These true Cosmopolatinas are surely paving the way for Latinas everywhere.
Maybe next year Vanity Fair will decide to add some Latina spice to their cover.
If not, don't worry chicas, at LaCosmopolatina we will feature you any day!