Mon Sep 16 14:42:03 UTC 2024: ## John Leguizamo Champions Diversity at Emmys, Calls Himself “DEI Hire”
**LOS ANGELES** – Actor John Leguizamo celebrated the strides made in diversity and inclusion in Hollywood during his speech at the 75th Emmy Awards on Sunday. In a pointed yet humorous address, Leguizamo declared himself a proud member of Hollywood’s “DEI hires,” where “D” stands for “diligence,” “E” for “excellence,” and “I” for “imagination.”
Leguizamo highlighted the increased representation of Latinx actors in this year’s Emmy nominations, citing Selena Gomez and Sofia Vergara as examples of “incredibly talented” nominees. He also recalled his personal experience with the lack of opportunities for Latinx actors, citing instances of white actors portraying characters of color, a practice he termed “brownface.”
He pointed to the recent election of the first Latino chair of the Academy as a sign of progress, crediting his own advertisement in the New York Times for raising awareness. “I did it,” he said with a smile.
Despite acknowledging progress, Leguizamo emphasized the need for further inclusion, calling for more stories from Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, LGBTQ+ and disabled individuals. “This show tonight is proof that our industry is making progress,” he concluded, highlighting the positive steps taken towards a more representative Hollywood.
First Piper 