There’s About To Be Way More Latinos On TV — ‘Gentefied’s’ Xicana Producer Signs Multi-Year Deal With Disney
Linda Yvette Chávez, the co-creator, co-executive producer, and co-showrunner of “Gentefied” on Netflix, signed a multi-year overall deal with Disney Television Studios, 20th Television.
This is history in the making.
A historic moment for Latinx representation Hollywood, Chávez is yet again breaking the glass ceiling as a Xicana and Latina driving the narrative for informed and accurate Latinx storytelling in the media.
Chávez will have the opportunity to create more of her own entertainment projects and supervise the production of other writers’ dramas and comedies for all platforms, according to Deadline.
With a passion to create more Latinx representation in the media and a pipeline for diverse creatives, this deal is a huge win for Chávez.
“I’m thrilled that I get to be a part of this family and add this bold Xicana voice to 20th’s legendary canon of television. We’re about to make some bomb-ass shows together and showcase the gorgeous array of stories that exist in our BIPOC communities. With them as my champions I know there’s nothing we can’t achieve. Hollywood’s not ready!,” Chávez told Deadline.
The president of 20th Television, Karey Burke says, “Linda is a tour-de-force writer with a spectacular voice, and her series “Gentefied” is as hilarious as it is powerful. She’s incredibly versatile and she shares our passion for fearless, inclusive storytelling — and on top of all that, she happens to be a fantastic person. Carolyn and I made it our mission to get her to this studio and we’re pinching ourselves she said yes,” via Hollywood Reporter.
A pipeline to success & providing access.
This is a game-changing opportunity for what Latinx representation in Hollywood can look like. For Latina creatives in particular, Chávez is creating a pipeline to success in the entertainment industry and is providing equitable access for historically marginalized Latinx voices.
This pipeline is to not only have a seat at the table, but to tell our own stories, in our own words, on the multifaceted identities and diverse lived experiences in the Latinx community.
By having more Xicana and Latina producers like Chávez behind the camera, we have the power to uplift and empower more Latinas to gain access into spaces of power in an industry that has historically enforced stereotypical narratives of the Latinx community.
Creating space for diverse storytellers.
Chávez recognizes the importance of having multifaceted and diverse voices with inclusive storytelling behind the camera and on the big screen.
In an interview with MSNBC Chávez says, “We need more opportunities for other creators, whether they are Afro-Latinx, Indigenous-Latinx, Colombian, Ecuadorian, we need space for all of their voices. We cannot be the voice of everybody. And that’s a problem when you see those numbers. We need to have more shows like this [Gentefied] kick down the door for more shows from other identities and that’s really what we hope this show does.”
Even though a long trek awaits in the journey to tell all of our stories and claiming the Latinx narrative in the entertainment industry, Chávez, and many creators alike, are challenging institutionalized narratives and paving the way for the next generation of storytellers.
