A historic night for Latino representation at the Emmys
As the entertainment world gears up for the Primetime Emmy Awards, which coincides with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, a significant milestone is being celebrated. Texas Congressman Joaquin Castro has extended his heartfelt congratulations to Cris Abrego, who will make history as the first Latino Chair of the Television Academy to preside over this prestigious event.
Cris Abrego: A trailblazer in modern entertainment
“Tonight, Cris Abrego will make history as the first Latino to lead the Television Academy during television’s biggest night,” Castro remarked. “For decades, Cris has been a trailblazer and successful entrepreneur, shaping modern entertainment and championing underrepresented voices in Hollywood. As Latinos continue to push for greater representation in American media, tonight’s Emmy Awards represent a significant step forward. Congratulations to Cris and to all those who will follow in his footsteps.”
Abrego, who is the chairman of the Americas at the global production company Banijay, recently partnered with Eva Longoria to launch Hyphenate Media Group, where he serves as CEO. His two-year term as chairman of the TV Academy began on January 1.
A diverse array of Emmy nominations
This year’s Emmy nominations reflect a growing diversity within the industry. Out of the 96 acting nominees, 30 are people of color (POC), including four notable Latino performers. Selena Gomez is nominated for lead comedy actress for Only Murders in the Building, Sofia Vergara for lead actress limited for Griselda, Liza Colón-Zayas for supporting comedy actress for The Bear, and Nava Mau for supporting actress limited for Baby Reindeer. Notably, Brazilian star Néstor Carbonell has already taken home an Emmy during the Creative Arts ceremony for guest drama actor for Shōgun.
Gomez, already an Emmy-nominated producer, has made history as the most Emmy-nominated Latina producer with her third nomination for Hulu’s hit mystery-comedy series. This year, she also secured her first acting nomination, becoming only the fourth Latina to be recognized in the lead comedy actress category. Vergara marks the second Latina ever to be nominated in her race, while Colón-Zayas and Mau are the third Latinas in theirs.
Behind the scenes: Latino excellence in production and direction
Beyond the acting categories, Issa López, showrunner of True Detective: Night Country, garnered three nominations for directing, writing, and producing the fourth season of the HBO/Max anthology series. López is the first Latino to be nominated for directing and only the second for writing, following René Echevarria’s 2005 nomination for The 4400. Additionally, Francesca Sloane has been recognized with two nominations for an outstanding drama series and writing (drama) for her work on Prime Video’s action series Mr. and Mrs. Smith.
Advocacy for Latino representation
Congressman Castro has long been an advocate for increasing Latino representation in the media. In 2020, he commissioned reports from the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office, which underscored the persistent underrepresentation of Latinos in American media and entertainment. As a vocal champion for Latino inclusion, he has called for more representation in film, television, publishing, and video games. Castro also played a pivotal role in creating the National Museum of the American Latino and the Mexican American Civil Rights Museum, based in San Antonio, Texas. He advocates for including Latino films in the National Film Registry at the Library of Congress each year.
Celebrating Latino excellence
This week, Castro will join other prominent Latino government leaders at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s annual Leadership Conference, themed “Latino Excellence in Action: Innovation, Influence, and Representation.” The event will feature a series of panels and discussions celebrating Latinos’ creativity, resilience, and vibrant history. Some of the talks will be moderated by industry experts.
The three-day conference will culminate on Thursday, September 19, with the 47th Annual Awards Gala, honoring the achievements of exceptional Latino trailblazers.
In a world where representation matters more than ever, these milestones at the Emmys and beyond signify a promising shift towards a more inclusive and diverse entertainment industry. The achievements of Cris Abrego, Selena Gomez, and other Latino talents are not just personal victories but a beacon of hope for future generations.