Lin-Manuel Miranda has responded to criticism of his latest film, In The Heights, for failing to include dark-skinned Latinx performers.
In a message posted on Twitter, the admired playwright and Hamilton creator, acknowledged the criticism, gave a sincere apology and promised to do better when it comes to future projects.
“I started writing In The Heights because I didn’t feel seen. And over the past 20 years, all I wanted was for us – ALL of us – to feel seen,” he begins.
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“I’m seeing the discussion around Afro-Latino representation in our film this weekend and it is clear many in our dark-skinned Afro-Latino community don’t feel sufficiently represented within it, particularly among the leading roles,” he continues.
“I can hear the hurt and frustration over colourism, of feeling still unseen in the feedback. I hear that without sufficient dark-skinned Afro-Latino representation, the work feels extractive of the community we wanted so much to represent with pride and joy. In trying to paint a mosaic of this community, we fell short. I’m truly sorry.”
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He adds that he’s learning and listening to the feedback.
“I promise to do better in my future projects and I’m dedicated to the learning and evolving we all have to do to make sure we are honouring our diverse and vibrant community.”
You can read his full statement below:
-LMM pic.twitter.com/CHfdLgFUz3
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel) June 14, 2021
(Feature Image Credit: Tinseltown/Shutterstock.com)