Award-winning actress Anya Taylor-Joy recently confused the internet. An article described the star as a “woman of color” after she won a Golden Globe in 2021.
Taylor-Joy is famous for roles in The Queen’s Gambit and The Menu. Yet, this specific description caused an uproar online. Many readers quickly questioned the term’s use.
Following her Golden Globe win for The Queen’s Gambit, Variety published a piece. The original text identified her as an “Argentinian” and the “first woman of color to win this category since Queen Latifah in 2008.”
This claim caused immediate backlash. Critics argued that Taylor-Joy, who is widely seen as white, does not fit this category. They stressed that being Latina does not automatically mean a person is a “woman of color.” Latin American heritage includes people of many different racial backgrounds.
Taylor-Joy was born in Miami, Florida. Her background is Scottish-Argentine. She lived in Argentina until age six and is fluent in both English and Spanish.
Variety later updated their article. A notice now confirms the previous identification was incorrect. It stated Taylor-Joy “identifies as a white Latina.”
The actress has publicly acknowledged her appearance. She has stated she is “aware of the fact I don’t look like a typical Latin person,” and does not want to take roles from others who are not white and blonde. This incident highlighted ongoing online debates about Latinx identity in Hollywood.
