America Ferrera: A true Hispanic Star?

After our class discussion on Monday about Jennifer Lopez, I started thinking more about the Latina stars in the media. Whereas Lopez has largely downplayed her ethnicity in her films, opting to pass as white, another star, though notably less famous, has chosen to use her ethnicity in order to play roles that try and break stereotypes. In most everything she has done, America Ferrera has played a Latina character. Though for the most part every role also draws attention to that fact, it typically does so in a more positive way. Or in a way that shows her struggle to fit in, something that young Latina girls can most likely look up to. On Ugly Betty, Ferrera created a character who was a strong, independent female who happened to be Hispanic. She was proud of her roots, but her ethnicity did not define her. This is incredibly important because in doing so, she was able to make herself and Betty a role model for girls of all races. In playing characters outside of her own ethnicity, Jennifer Lopez may be trying to make the statement that it doesn't matter, but that can also be seen as her trying to hide her true self.

Acting may be about playing a part, but it also has a lot to do with incorporating some of yourself into your character. In doing so, the character is given more authenticity because audiences can really believe that the actor is putting his/her own experiences into the role.Lopez's method has clearly worked out for her so far but in terms of making progress with diversity in the media, Ferrera seems to be doing a far better job. With her past film roles and most notably with Betty, she has established herself as an authentic actress who can carry a wide range of roles while still being proud and open about her ethnicity. While little is known of her personal life (other than the fact that she attended USC!) she has proven herself as a star to look up to and who is genuinely trying to create more diversity and awareness of minority cultures through the roles that she plays.