The buzz around the Emmy 2025 nominations is certainly loud, but not for all the usual reasons. While many celebrate fresh faces and returning favorites, a different, more serious conversation is taking hold. Many people are asking: where are the Latino actors and creators in the major categories? In a year when audiences want to see more diverse representation, the Emmys seem to have fallen short.
The big awards show on September 14 promises to celebrate top TV shows. Severance leads the pack with 27 nominations for its second season. The Penguin isn’t far behind with 24 nods. New shows like The Pitt and The Studio also grabbed many nominations. And The Last of Us keeps proving its popularity with several acting nominations.
But among these celebrated shows and stars, the Latino community is mostly absent.
There’s one notable exception, though it wasn’t highlighted in official announcements. Cinematographer Emmanuel “El Chivo” Lubezki got a nomination. He’s up for Exceptional Cinematography for a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. This is for his work on Disclaimer, a show directed by five-time Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón.
Other big names like Javier Bardem did get nominations, specifically for his role in the series Monsters. Yet, his presence feels like a small effort in an event that often fails to fairly acknowledge the vast Latino talent in the industry.
The National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) released a strong statement. They congratulated a few figures, including Pedro Pascal from The Last of Us and Liza Colón-Zayas from The Bear. They also mentioned Colman Domingo from The Four Seasons and Lorena Pérez Batista for sound editing on The Studio. But their main point was about the huge drop in nominations for actors of color this year. It’s the worst in five years.
Brenda Victoria Castillo, who leads the NHMC, spoke out. "With so many series and projects led by people of color, our Latino community deserves to be seen, heard, and recognized for its excellence," she said. She added, "The Television Academy voting members fell short this year."
The truth is, Latinos in the United States do more than just watch entertainment. They help keep it going. In 2024, they accounted for 24% of movie ticket sales. They also made up 24% of streaming service subscribers. This is a big deal, especially since they are 19% of the population. Given these numbers, the lack of inclusion doesn’t seem like an honest mistake. It looks like a serious gap between the industry and its audience.
Stars like Selena Gomez were overlooked this year for her role in Only Murders in the Building. Many other rising Latino talents were also missing from the lists. It’s becoming clearer that something needs to change. On social media, Latino users shared their frustration. Messages included, "How many more stories must we tell to be taken seriously?" and "We can’t keep celebrating galas that don’t celebrate us."
The NHMC’s statement is a serious call for everyone to think about this issue. "In a time when our existence is being erased, challenged, and attacked, it is vital to elevate inclusive and welcoming stories," Castillo explained. She stressed that voters at the Academy have a duty. They must make sure more than 25% of Latino stories are recognized, especially this year.
A spokesperson for the Television Academy responded to Us Weekly’s questions. They stated, "The Television Academy remains committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive industry." They added, "In any given year, it’s common to see progress and, unfortunately, setbacks in terms of representation in the awards sphere, but we believe the trend continues to point towards celebrating more authentic stories and the diversity of artists who create them."
Comedian Nate Bargatze will host the ceremony. Other shows expected to do well include Sirens, which gave a surprise nomination to Meghann Fahy, and Presumed Innocent, starring Jake Gyllenhaal. But among all these names, one big question remains: what about the hundreds of Latino artists who keep creating, acting, writing, and producing top-quality content?
While the entertainment industry celebrates its yearly achievements, the Latino community watches, yet again, from the sidelines. And in 2025, that’s simply not good enough anymore.