Beyond the Hollywood Mirage

Hollywood had long overshadowed the realities of creative pursuits.

By: Andrew Cardenas

Photo by Delara Jadvar

Hollywood stories come to life on the solver screen. Generations of aspiring filmmakers, actors and writers have flocked to Los Angeles, drawn by the allure of fame and fortune. But for the artists of South Central Los Angeles and countless others from marginalized communities, this dream often feels more like a mirage. Behind Hollywood's shimmering facade lies a harsh truth: the industry is undergoing various shifts, from the rise of streaming wars and labor disputes to the growing demand for diversity and representation. These changes, while seemingly progressive, have left many questioning whether the traditional path to success still exists — or if it ever did.

In recent years, conversations about diversity in film and media have intensified, spurred by movements advocating for more inclusive representation both in from of and behind the cameras. From the underrepresentation of racial and ethnic minorities to the persistent stereotyping of marginalized groups, the ongoing fight for inclusivity has become a central issue in Hollywood. Yet, a closer examination reveals the challenges are not about increasing numbers or visibility but how diversity is effectively implemented in all facets of the industry.

From numbers to meaningful representation

The push for diversity in Hollywood has often been framed as a game of numbers. Studies like the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative's report on Muslim representation in global films reveal less than 2% of speaking characters in popular films are Muslim — and when they do appear, they are often stereotyped as perpetrators or victims of violence.  The study found that harmful stereotyped portrayal of Muslim characters produce real-world consequences. This commodification of diversity — where minority stories are valued only insofar as they fit into pre-existing market categories — undermines the potential for genuine cultural change. While such statistics are crucial for highlighting the problem, they also expose the limitations of a purely quantitative approach to diversity. Reducing diversity to a numerical target risks commodifying minority voices without addressing the structural inequalities that marginalize them. This number-driven approach often leads to tokenism, where the superficial inclusion of minorities fails to challenge the dominant cultural norms that perpetuate inequality.

The commodification of diversity

The success of films like "Black Panther" (2018) and "Crazy Rich Asians" (2018) has been celebrated as a win for diversity and rightly so. These films overcame barriers and proved that stories centered on marginalized communities and culture can produce a global impact. While these films are important milestones, they remain exceptions rather than the rule. Their success does not necessarily translate into broader opportunities for minority creators, nor does it address the systemic barriers that prevent many from entering the industry in the first place.

"Everything Everywhere All at Once" (2022) challenges this trend. Directed by Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, the film centers on a Chinese immigrant family, weaving their struggles and complexities into a multiverse-spanning narrative. Evelyn Wang (Michelle Yeoh) defies reductive tropes like "dragon lady" or "model minority," while Waymond Wang (Ke Huy Quan) offers a complex portrayal of Asian masculinity. Through the film's refusal to simplify its characters or cater to market expectations it sets a new standard for representation — one that explores intersectionality, generational trauma and cultural identity.

The role of racial governance

At the heart of Hollywood's diversity problem remains an entrenched system of racial governance — the ways in which power structures within the industry regulate the representation of minority groups. Decision-makers rely on ingrained assumptions about what audiences want, assumptions shaped by their own racial and cultural biases — leading to films centered on a marginalized lead to be dismissed as niche or risky investments .Instead of fostering true inclusivity, discussions around diversity often serve to preserve the interest of the dominant culture, creating the appearance of progress while sidelining marginalized voices.

Beyond tokenism

There is a clear need for a new and evolved approach to diversity, one that goes beyond tokenistic inclusion and addresses the underlying power dynamics in Hollywood. This means challenging the stereotypes that dominate representation of minority groups and preventing opportunities or diverse creators to portray a broader range of stories. A meaningful shift requires increasing the presence of writers and directors from historically marginalized backgrounds and ensuring characters from these communities are portrayed in an authentic way. Genuine progress, however, also depends on rethinking how films are developed, marketed and distributed.

Concrete action

Hollywood must move beyond performative gestures and take concrete steps to dismantle the barriers that have excluded marginalized groups for decades. This requires a fundamental reimagining of how the industry operates — from the boardroom to the screen. Only then can Hollywood claim to be the land of dreams for all, not just a privileged few.