First-time Oscar nominee and star of “Roma” Yalitza Aparicio is feeling the love from Mexican-American women who identify with the actress’ Indigenous background.
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Following the major success of the Alfonso Cuaron-directed drama, many Mexican-American women applauded Aparicio’s high-profile role, revealing that they’re proud that the actress is the first indigenous woman to be nominated for best actress at the Academy Awards.
“She’s brown girl magic,” Jennie Luna, a Chicana/o Studies professor at California State University Channel Islands said. “My students can’t stop talking about her.”
This praise comes after the 25-year-old, who’s from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, faced racist attacks online in her homeland and disapproval from other Mexican actors.
“We’ve been working to rediscover our indigenous roots and Aparicio’s presence is showing that we matter,” Lilia Soto, an American Studies professor at the University of Wyoming told KTLA. “The racism she’s facing in Mexico also is an attack against us.”
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Aparicio is nominated alongside Hollywood legend Glenn Close, Lady Gaga, Olivia Colman and Melissa McCarthy for Best Actress at this year’s Academy Awards.
