‘In The Heights’ Creator Apologizes For Film’s Lack Of Dark-Skinned Afro-Latinx Actors
June 16, 2021 at 3:30 pm
ENTERTAINMENT

Contributed By Scott Lipscomb
Lin-Manuel Miranda, following criticism of lack of African Latino representation, took to twitter to apologize.

“In The Heights,” written by Miranda, initially opened on Broadway in 2008. The highly anticipated film adaptation was released in theaters and on HBO Max last week reported BET.

The plot is about life in Washington Heights, Manhattan as an Afro-Latino. The film sheds light on daily problems, feeling like you don’t belong, and being the first in the family to accomplish certain goals. Music is used to help capture the emotions involved.


The Jon M. Chu-directed film faced criticism after the noticeable lack of dark-skinned Afro-Latinx actors. On Monday (June 14), Miranda issued a statement.

“I’m seeing the discussion around Afro-Latinx representation in our film this weekend and it is clear that many of our dark-skinned Afro-Latinx community don’t feel sufficiently represented in it,” Miranda said in a statement. “I can hear the hurt and frustration over colorism, of feeling unseen in the feedback.”

Critics feel none of the main characters are of darker complexion.

“I needed to be educated about that, about not fully understanding the existence of dark-skinned Latino folks like Afro-Panamanians, Black Cubans and Black Dominicans, for example, ” he mentioned in an interview with The Root.

This will hopefully be used as a learning experience for future castings.