Lately, Sofía Vergara has been making waves with her appearance on "El Homiguero" with Pablo Motos, where she promoted her upcoming series "Griselda." The series delves into the life of the Colombian businesswoman, known for heading one of the most profitable cartels in history. Vergara not only stars in the series but also serves as its producer. During the interview, the host mocked her accent, leading to a sharp response from Vergara.
Her acting career seemed to plateau with her role as Gloria Delgado-Pritchett on "Modern Family" (2009-2019). Despite this, she has continued to take on roles in films and TV shows, though many of her characters have perpetuated stereotypes, particularly the Spicy Latina trope.
The Spicy Latina stereotype typically features a woman who is beautiful and exotic, with tan skin, brunette hair, and full lips. Her body is often showcased in tight, revealing outfits, and she is frequently depicted in some state of undress. She is portrayed as outspoken and loud, with a temper barely controlled, leading to destructive behaviour when angered. The stereotype also suggests she might steal your man because one isn't enough for her, showcasing her strong, manipulative power over men.
In the era of vaudeville and dance halls, Latina performers were marketed as Spicy Señoritas and Hot Tamales, suggesting that being involved with them was a blend of pain and pleasure, much like eating a spicy chili pepper. Early cinema frequently depicted Latin women as seductive cantina girls—immoral, lustful, and sexually aggressive—serving as objects of forbidden desire for white American cowboys and male viewers. The 1930s brought the Good Neighbour Policy, encouraging the film industry to hire more Latin Americans and portray them more positively than the earlier greaser stereotypes. Despite these efforts, Latin actresses remained confined to roles as exotic beauties, which led to issues like alcoholism and drug abuse among many.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, the Spicy Latina stereotype continued as a foreign image, embodying either lust or comedy, sometimes both. In the 1980s, a new facet emerged: the tough Latin woman, with a fiery temper that could be dangerously lethal. This archetype was cast as cops, soldiers, and assassins, with their inherent spiciness intensifying their fearsome portrayal. Even in authoritative roles, their narratives were oversimplified: the Spicy Latina often hailed from a rough neighbourhood, shaped by an impoverished, working-class upbringing, and compelled to learn self-defence. This portrayal neglects the rich diversity within the Latinx community, painting all with the same brush and ignoring the uniqueness of their cultures.
Gloria’s character exemplifies many stereotypes Americans hold about Latin American women—depicting them as overly dependent on men, passive, and overtly sexualized. Her role as a "gold digger" for marrying an older, wealthy man, often seen in tight dresses, with her heavy accent becoming a focal point for communication issues, serves as both comedy and a source of xenophobia. Despite these stereotypes, Gloria inadvertently became a spokesperson for the Latinx community, addressing immigration issues in the U.S. through her experiences and introducing a new family dynamic to American television.
"Griselda," inspired by the Colombian drug lord Griselda Blanco, gained attention through the Cocaine Cowboys documentaries in the late 2000s. As the series approaches its release, there are several facets of Griselda’s character to consider.
Griselda Blanco’s story is multifaceted: she was a solo mother, an immigrant, and a powerful drug lord. She escaped an abusive home to become a significant figure in the drug trade, managing a vast empire while raising her children alone. Her journey from a rough neighbourhood in Colombia to becoming a formidable force in the narcotics world highlights her resilience. Moreover, her narrative also reflects a broader message of empowerment, showing how she leveraged her femininity and strength to assert control in a male-dominated field.
This series provides an opportunity to explore these dimensions of Griselda’s life and her impact, both as a powerful figure and as a symbol of female empowerment. It challenges earlier objectifications by presenting a complex character who defied traditional roles and expectations.
On January 25th, "Griselda" premiered on Netflix. Vergara’s performance has already earned her an Emmy nomination, marking a significant milestone for Latinas in awards history.
Although Vergara didn’t win the Emmy, the event was still a significant moment for the Latin American community. It was highlighted by Liza Colón-Zayas’s win and John Leguizamo’s powerful speech on representation, marking Latin Heritage Month on a high note:
"Everybody played us, except us. I didn't see a lot of people on TV that looked like me. That's how we saw ourselves, because that's all we saw ourselves"
Sofía Vergara uses her platform to advocate for the Latina community through humour. She shares her trajectory as a sex symbol to an actress and her struggles with Hollywood perceiving her as solely an accent with a voluptuous body. "Griselda" is her chance to proof them wrong with a complex character. Last but not least, she says Gloria how Gloria was inspired on her mother, the costumes and attitude.
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