Yalitza Aparicio Faced Racism and Colorism Despite Her Oscar Nod—A Wake-Up Call for Mexican Media

The world has long celebrated its Mexican actresses: trailblazers, iconoclasts, and storytellers who have redefined not only cinema and television but also cultural boundaries. But often, the mainstream narrative centers only on the most high-profile names, leaving other deserving artists in the shadows. From Mexico City’s silver screen golden age to Netflix sets today, these women have shaped what it means to be Latina on screen—and their legacies deserve a louder spotlight.

Rosa Carmina, known as the “Queen of the Rumberas,” exploded onto the scene in 1940s–1950s Mexican cinema with powerful performances in films like Tania, the Beautiful Wild Girl and Sandra, the Woman of Fire. A Cuban-born Mexican star, she brought fierce energy to gangster films, dance dramas, and melodrama alike—setting the standard for charisma, resilience, and unapologetic femininity in the Golden Era of Mexican cinema.

In more recent decades, Ana Serradilla, who starred in La Viuda Negra and the Mexican adaptation of Desperate Housewives, has demonstrated incredible range. From drama to dark television series, Serradilla has taken risks—showing that Latin actresses can pivot across genres with depth and conviction.

Then there’s Kate del Castillo, whose breakout role in the beloved telenovela Muchachitas evolved into global recognition with La Reina del Sur. From Mexican television to Hollywood films like Under the Same Moon and Bad Boys for Life, del Castillo has navigated between worlds with authenticity and grit.

We also see the inspiring journey of rising stars like Mabel Cadena, who mastered Nahuatl for her role in Hernán, portrayed Porfirio Díaz’s daughter in Dance of the 41, and most recently took on a Marvel role in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Her ability to fuse indigenous identity, historical storytelling, and superhero cinema speaks volumes about the evolving image of Mexican womanhood in global media.

These actresses are part of a broader movement. The Annenberg Inclusion Initiative reports that Latinas make up fewer than 5% of leading roles in Hollywood, despite representing almost 19% of the U.S. population. Many of these women—Eva Longoria, America Ferrera, Zoe Saldana, Rosario Dawson—work tirelessly beyond acting to produce and direct, forcing Hollywood to reckon with Latinx stories on its own terms.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Martha Higareda (@marthahigareda)

And while stars like Salma Hayek, Ana de la Reguera, and Yalitza Aparicio receive more global acclaim, there are countless others whose names deserve to resonate: Estefanía Villarreal, who rose to teen heartthrob status with Rebelde; Ana Serradilla, who keeps proving versatility pays off in international opportunities; Rosa Carmina, whose legacy continues to inspire retro-aficionados and film historians alike.

Representation in media isn’t just about quantity—it’s about depth and nuance. It’s about acknowledging that Mexican identity spans indigenous, Afro-Latinx, mestizo, and mixed heritage experiences. Reddit communities of Mexican descent frequently highlight how Hollywood favors lighter skin and overlooks indigenous actors, even though indigenous people make up a significant portion of Mexico’s population. This means that every time a Mexican actress of color wins a major role, she challenges long-held norms.

I write this not to elevate one name over another—but to remind readers that the artistry of Mexican actresses is vast and varied. It’s a metadata of talent that stretches from Rosa Carmina’s rumba films to Mabel Cadena speaking Nahuatl on screen, from the suave drama of del Castillo to Serradilla’s genre-spanning performances. Their nuances deserve more recognition, and their stories need to be told more widely.

So yes—Salma Hayek, Yalitza Aparicio, and Ana de la Reguera deserve applause. But let’s also honor Rosa Carmina’s legacy, celebrate Serradilla’s international crossover, champion Cadena’s indigenous breakthrough, and watch for the next generation: those brown-skinned, mixed-heritage actresses building new legends today.

Because true representation isn’t enough unless it includes the many faces of Mexico—and that means pushing past stereotypes, supporting indigenous and Afro-Mexican voices, and amplifying all the women who make screen stories come alive.