Odessa Azion quits movie ‘Deep Cut’ over whitewashing controversy
Odessa Azion was forced to leave the film project after it was announced that she would be cast due to the whitewashing controversy that swept social media.
Odessa Azion has quit the film project just two days after her role was announced due to the whitewashing controversy that has swept social media.
The 25-year-old “Marty Supreme” star revealed on her Instagram Story on January 28 that she will no longer be appearing in A24’s upcoming film adaptation of Holly Brickley’s novel “Deep Cuts.” She was to play the character Zoe Gutierrez, who is described in the book as being Jewish and of Mexican descent. Fans argued that a Mexican actress should have been cast in the role instead.
“Guys!! I’m with you all. I’m not doing this movie,” Azion began the series of statements, thanking fans for “making me aware of this” and stating that he “didn’t read the book” before accepting the role.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for A24 and Azion for comment.
The Wrap first reported on January 26 that Azion would star in “Deep Cuts.” The film is a love story about two characters with a passion for music, and is described as a love story that examines “the nature of talent, obsession, belonging, and above all, the desire to be heard.”
However, the decision to cast Azion as Zoe Gutierrez quickly sparked backlash, with one fan writing to X: “No thanks for a white woman playing a Mexican character.” Another X account dedicated to sharing updates about Azion also posted, “I disagree with the decision to cast a white, non-Mexican actress in a character that was originally written as a Mexican woman of color.”
Azion told fans on Instagram who were unhappy with the casting, “I agree with each and every one of you.” He also revealed that he auditioned for the role of Percy, which is reportedly played by Cailee Spaeny.
“I am so sorry that this happened,” she wrote. “It’s very important to me to explain how everything turned out. I suggested Percy, but I was offered Zoe instead, and I immediately said yes! You’re all very upset. I hadn’t read the book and should have paid more attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting.”
He added, “I’m not going to take a role from someone else who’s supposed to do it. You should! It’s not me. There are many people who are capable enough to play this role, but I’m not one of them. I can’t wait to see who it ends up being.”
Sean Durkin is writing and directing the film version of Deep Cuts, which will star Spaeny and Drew Starkey, according to The Wrap. Produced by Josh Safdie, director of Marty Supreme.
Azion, whose mother is actress Pamela Adlon, has been on the rise a year since he was nominated for Best Actor and Supporting Actress for his role opposite Timothée Chalamet in Marty Supreme. She also co-starred with Rachel Sennott in the HBO series “I Love LA.”
