The internet has been left scratching its head after actress Anya Taylor-Joy was described as a ‘woman of color’ following a major award win, igniting a heated debate about ethnicity, race, and identity.
The celebrated actress, known for her captivating performances in films like The Menu and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, has also made a name for herself on television with her critically acclaimed role as Beth Harmon in Netflix’s hit series The Queen’s Gambit.
However, despite her undeniable talent and growing Hollywood success, an article that referred to Taylor-Joy as a ‘woman of color’ sparked widespread confusion and debate across social media platforms.
The Golden Globe Controversy
Back in 2021, Anya Taylor-Joy took home the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film for her compelling portrayal of a young chess prodigy in The Queen’s Gambit.
While the victory itself was widely celebrated, a specific Variety article reporting on her win quickly became a lightning rod for controversy. The publication made a bold statement, claiming that Taylor-Joy was the first woman of color to win the category since Queen Latifah in 2008 and only the fifth woman of color to win overall since the category was introduced in 1982.
This assertion did not go unnoticed, and many people online immediately began questioning the accuracy of the claim, given Taylor-Joy’s light complexion, European heritage, and self-identification as a white Latina.
Social Media Reacts with Disbelief
The statement quickly caught the attention of writer Valerie Complex, who took to Twitter to call out the wording of the article.
“I love her as an actress, but THIS article has her listed as the FIRST WOMAN OF COLOR to win in this category, and I legit give up,” she wrote, reflecting the confusion many others were feeling.
The conversation rapidly gained traction as more users chimed in with their own opinions on the classification.
One person bluntly stated: “Anya Taylor-Joy is a phenomenal actress, but she is not a woman of color.”
Another user, equally bewildered, added: “Anya Taylor-Joy being labeled a woman of color?! This has to be a joke. She is white. Being from Latin America doesn’t automatically make you a person of color.”
Others attempted to clarify the difference between race, ethnicity, and cultural identity, pointing out that Latina is not synonymous with being a person of color.
“Just a friendly reminder that being Latina and being a woman of color are not always the same thing,” one commenter wrote. “Congrats to Anya Taylor-Joy on her Golden Globe win, but let’s not erase the distinction.”
Variety Walks Back Its Statement
As the backlash mounted, Variety was forced to revisit its wording. The publication quickly updated the article to correct the classification error and issued an official correction acknowledging that their initial statement was misleading.
A notice on their website now reads: “UPDATED: This story has been updated. A previous version identified Anya Taylor-Joy as a person of color. She has said she identifies as a white Latina.”
Taylor-Joy Addresses Her Heritage
Anya Taylor-Joy, who was born in Miami, Florida, to a Scottish-Argentine father, Dennis Alan Taylor, and a Spanish-English mother, Jennifer Marina Joy, spent the first six years of her life in Argentina before moving to the United Kingdom.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, Taylor-Joy has frequently spoken about her multicultural upbringing and her connection to her Argentine roots. However, she has also made it clear that she does not personally identify as a woman of color and is aware of how her appearance differs from the typical Latina stereotype.
In an interview with Vulture, she directly addressed the issue, stating:
“I’m aware of the fact that I don’t look like a typical Latin person, and that’s not fair. I don’t want to be someone that gets subbed into a role meant for a Latina actress when I am really white and blonde.”
Her candid comments reflect her understanding of how racial and ethnic identities intersect and the importance of accurate representation in Hollywood.
A Larger Debate on Identity and Representation
The controversy surrounding Anya Taylor-Joy’s classification highlights a larger, ongoing conversation about race, ethnicity, and identity in entertainment and media.
In the United States and much of the world, Latino/Latina identity is often mistakenly equated with being a person of color, when in reality, Latin America is home to people of various racial backgrounds—including Indigenous, Black, Asian, and white communities.
Taylor-Joy’s case serves as a prime example of why geographic origin does not always determine racial classification and how media outlets need to be more precise in their language when discussing identity.
Final Thoughts: A Lesson in Accuracy
While Anya Taylor-Joy is undoubtedly proud of her Argentine heritage, she has been transparent about her racial identity and does not claim to be a person of color.
The misclassification by Variety serves as an important reminder that ethnicity and race are complex topics that should not be generalized or misrepresented.
Through this debate, one thing remains certain: Taylor-Joy’s talent and success stand on their own, regardless of labels.