DOCTOR STRANGE 2 Star Xochitl Gomez Reflects On The Backlash To Her Casting: "There's Layers Of Racism"

DOCTOR STRANGE 2 Star Xochitl Gomez Reflects On The Backlash To Her Casting: "There's Layers Of Racism"

Xochitl Gomez found herself being targeted by trolls when certain things about her Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness character came to light, and the actress has now reflected on the backlash.

By MarkCassidy - Jan 07, 2023 11:01 AM EST

Marvel Studios has been making strides to bring more diversity to the MCU over the past few years, but the introduction of more POC and LQBTQ+ characters has not gone without some backlash from the usual corners of the internet.

When Xochitl Gomez, who is of Mexican descent, landed the role of America Chavez in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, she was faced with a certain amount of online abuse, but the trolls really turned it up a notch when it came to light that America makes a reference to her "two moms" during a flashback (Chavez is gay in the comics, but the movie doesn't actually address the character's sexuality).

While speaking to The Wrap, Gomez was asked about the elements of toxic fandom she's experienced since joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and revealed that she recently met up with Ms. Marvel star Iman Vellani for dinner, where they bonded "over being young, brown girls in the MCU and what that means"

"It was just nice to be able to have these shared experiences that made me feel like, OK, I’m not the only one. And especially with harassment and haters and stuff, and being able to be like, ‘OK, it’s not just me, this happens to you, it happens to a few other people as well.’ But it’s like, sometimes, when it’s in the moment, you forget, and it just becomes like this thing of like, ‘What is going on to me?' And it’s just so much worse for brown people. Because there’s layers of racism, and it’s just, it’s tough."

"And so being able to talk to [Iman] and be like, ‘You’re not the only one,’ and being able to show my support, and being able to kind of take her out to dinner, and be able to take her mind off it, be able to like release it all," Gomez continued. "And then afterwards, being able to laugh and just be like, ‘Look at the conversation we just had!’ Look at that, we’re laughing, and it’s great."

It's great to hear that Gomez has taken the negativity in her stride, and it's always nice to have someone in a similar situation to confide in.

We're expecting to see America Chavez and Ms. Marvel share the screen at some point, but we're not sure when the former will make her return to the MCU - although, provided she doesn't show up before then, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is probably a fairly safe bet.

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Star John Krasinski Named PEOPLE's 2024 Sexiest Man Alive
Related:

DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS Star John Krasinski Named PEOPLE's 2024 Sexiest Man Alive

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo Reveals Original DOCTOR STRANGE 2 Plot - Including A SHOCKING Character Death
Recommended For You:

X-MEN '97 Showrunner Beau DeMayo Reveals Original DOCTOR STRANGE 2 Plot - Including A SHOCKING Character Death

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
TheLobster
TheLobster - 1/7/2023, 11:22 AM
Anyone who’s still triggered by someone having two moms can truly get [frick]ed. It’s 2023 not 1923 Jfc
ProudPatriot76
ProudPatriot76 - 1/7/2023, 11:33 AM
@TheLobster - by that same accord, if anyone is still triggered by traditional marriage they can truly get (frick)ed. it’s 2023. Just sayin
Fogs
Fogs - 1/7/2023, 11:23 AM
As someone who liked her in MoM I think always using the R card like that really diminishes the strenght of real cases.

I mean, it's obvious any criticism will be countered with that nowadays.
MyCoolYoung
MyCoolYoung - 1/7/2023, 11:32 AM
@Fogs - How do you know her case isn't real? She didn't give one specific example, and she could've received criticism before the movie even came out.

The reason the strength of cases is diminished is because no one even tries to hear their side; they just go straight to diminishing them.

What if they were saying "we don't want that wet-back Mexican bitch" in the MCU? You don't know. People online say racist shit. Hell, play the game long enough and people will say racist shit.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 1/7/2023, 11:33 AM
@Fogs - I agree with you. I hate how loosely the race card is thrown around these days.

But didn't she get legitimate hate over her role? I think it was mostly around her character having two moms though, and not her race. I mean, isn't she the same race as she is in the comics? I don't see the problem there.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
View Recorder