What did Melissa Barrera say about POC representation in Hollywood? A24 casting backlash explored amid Odessa A’zion ‘Deep Cut’ controversy

Odessa A'zion, who recently starred in Josh Safdie's sports drama film Marty Supreme, which received multiple Oscar nominations, has pulled out of Sean Durkin's upcoming A24 film Deep Cuts after facing backlash regarding her casting.

The 25-year-old took to her Instagram Stories to break the news of quitting the movie on January 28, 2026, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Odessa A'zion, known for portraying a range of roles in movies across different genres, including dramas, rom-coms, and crime thrillers, reportedly took netizens' online comments about whitewashing the adaptation of Holly Brickley's novel Deep Cuts personally.

The Hellraiser actress was supposed to play the role of Zoe Guttierrez, a half-Jewish, half-Mexican character, in Durkin's upcoming A24 film. However, in her Instagram Stories, she wrote:

"Guys!! I am with ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie. Fuck that. I’m OUT."

She went ahead and explained:

"THANK YOU guys for bringing this to my attention. I AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU! This is why I love you guys. I’m so sorry that this happened. It is SO important for me to let you in on how it all went down: I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes! I’m so pissed y’all, I hadn’t read the book and should have paid more attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting…and now that I know what I know???"

Amid Odessa A'zion's casting backlash and Deep Cuts controversy, The Copenhagan Test actress Mellisa Barrera, who has always been an advocate for the representation of People of Color (POC) in Hollywood, took to her Instagram Stories and shared a message referring to Odessa A'zion accepting the role of a Mexican, despite having no Latin roots. In her Stories shared on January 28, Barrera wrote about POC representation in Hollywood:

"The conversation about representation in Hollywood has always been misunderstood by many, especially people outside of the industry. So this is for you. "It's acting" some will say. Actors should be able to play roles that are unlike them, including different enthnicities."

She continued:

"For the longest time, the only people that had the access or were given opportunities to create were white people. And so white creators would write stories about white characters (with MAYBE some POC side characters) Makes sense, and no shade to that: people should write about their own experiences. (Also I love white people, some of y'all are really cool.) But yes shade because, unfortunately that meant that POC were shut out of the industry."

However, Barrera concluded:

"So yes, it's acting. My dream role is Cleopatra ffs! I wish we lived in a world where everyone had equal opportunities and so we could all play different roles and do whatever TF we want. But when certain minorities keep getting overlooked, when so many communities lack opportunities and visibility, authentic representation is more important than ever. I hope we get there someday. Por su atencion Gracias! Also check out The Copenhagen Test on Peacock and look at our beautiful cast. There is hope. Onwards. Love y'all"

Odessa A'zion says, "I'd never take a role from someone else" in her Instagram Stories

As she talked about quitting Sean Durkin's upcoming film and agreeing with what all her fans had to say, she also mentioned that she would never knowingly take someone else's role. Odessa A'zion wrote:

"I’d never take a role from someone else that’s meant to do it. That SHOULD do it! That’s not me. There are a plentitude of people more than capable of playing this role and I am NOT one of them. I can’t wait to see who it ends up being.”

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