Mexican TV network under fire for ‘brownface’ parody of Roma star Yalitza Aparicio

Yeka Rosales posted photos and videos of herself on social media with darkened skin, thick lips, and a false nose

The Mexican-based network Televisa has been strongly criticised after one of its stars dressed up in “brownface” and wore a prosthetic nose to imitate indigenous Mexican actor Yalitza Aparicio.

Yeka Rosales posted photos and videos of herself on social media with darkened skin, thick lips, and a false nose in what appeared to be a parody of the Roma star, who attended the Oscars after being nominated for Best Actress.

The stunt coincided with the season premiere of Televisa’s comedy series La Parodia, with Rosales wearing a dress similar to that Aparicio wore at the Oscars, alongside a straight, black-haired wig. Rosales also made exaggerated facial expressions that have a history of being used to stereotype indigenous people.

Rosales was heavily criticised on social media in both Mexico and the US. Scholars have highlighted how the impersonation reflects the continuing racism indigenous people face in Latin America.

“It’s disgusting. I’m kind of shaken up about it,” said Jennie Luna, a Chicana/o Studies professor at California State University Channel Islands in Camarillo, who studies indigenous populations in Mexico. “This just shows how far we have to go and how far Mexico has to go.”

She added that this is far from the first incident of discrimination Aparicio has had to face since her rise to fame. The actor, who is from the Mexican state of Oaxaca, has faced racist attacks online and scorn from some Mexican actors.

In an email to The Associated Press, Televisa spokesman Alejandro Olmos said the network strongly condemns any form of racism or discrimination. “We do not believe that the production of La Parodia engages in this type of practice,” Olmos said in Spanish. However, he added that some of the comments were made in “bad taste” and will be edited from the show.

Luna said Aparicio has encountered many similar acts in Mexico since garnering praise for her performance in the movie “Roma.”