News | Entertainment
2 Feb 2026 17:40
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Odessa A'zion has dropped out of Deep Cuts after backlash over "whitewashing"

    The 25-year-old actress has been cast as Zoe Gutierrez - a Jewish character of Mexican heritage - in Sean Durkin's upcoming adaptation of Holly Brickley's acclaimed novel, and she has now addressed the controversy over the decision to cast a white performer as a person of colour.


    She wrote on her Instagram Story: "Guys!! I am will ALL of you and I am NOT doing this movie. F*** that. I'm OUT. (sic)"

    Odessa's parents are American actress Pamela Adlon - whose father was born to a Jewish family - and German director Felix Adlon.

    The Marty Supreme star thanked everyone for "bringing this to [her] attention", and insisted she agrees with the backlash.

    She continued: "Lemme make myself clear...I'm so so sorry that this happened. It is SO important for me to let you in how it all went down.

    "I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes! I'm so p***** y'all, I hadn't read the book and should have paid more attention to all aspects of Zoe before accepting... and now that I know what I know??? F*** that! IM OUT.

    "I'd never take a role from someone else that's meant to do it. That SHOULD do it! That's not me.

    "There are a plentitude of people more than capable of playing this role and I am NOT one of them. I can't wait to see who it ends up being. (sic)"

    Odessa admitted she was "so excited" by the project after reading the script and she was "just down to be a part of it" with "this group of people".

    However, she added: "I've been so busy with other work I was trying to carve out a time to reread, I wish I found that time sooner and clocked her name.

    "That's all that's mentioned in the script when I just finally did. Thank you thank you THANK YOU GUYS FOR LETTING ME KNOW!!!"

    The I Love LA actress noted she is yet to read the Deep Cuts novel, but she couldn't in good conscience play the part after details about her character became clear.

    She said: "Still haven't read the book but the story in the script is focused on Percy and Joe, so of course on my initial read that was my main focus as well.

    "I was happy to be involved as a different role, but I just can not do it knowing more about Zoe now."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     02 Feb: Charli xcx would "love" to do more acting
     02 Feb: Jesy Nelson was "very on edge about everything" when she took her twins home for the first time
     02 Feb: Jordin Sparks wants to speak to Halle Berry about "hormones and menopause"
     02 Feb: Jason Segel is staggered by how "handsome" Harrison Ford is at 83
     02 Feb: Queen have no intentions of performing in America again because the country "is a dangerous place at the moment", guitarist Sir Brian May has claimed
     02 Feb: Victoria Beckham wanted her new eyewear range to focus on "shape and proportion"
     02 Feb: Pope Leo XIV has warned men not to form emotional attachments to AI chatbot "girlfriends"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Super Rugby have announced five law innovations ahead of the 30th anniversary season starting late next week More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    NZ’s $2.5 billion shoddy building bill: how to fix the ‘build now, fix later’ culture More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Charli xcx would "love" to do more acting 17:31

    International:
    Grammy winners 2026: Lady Gaga wins best Pop Vocal Album, Olivia Dean Best New Artist 17:27

    Politics:
    An ousted Te Pati Maori MP and her former party have spent the day in Court 17:27

    Living & Travel:
    The SPCA's offering to help re-home ex-racing greyhounds when the industry comes to a close 17:27

    Entertainment:
    Jesy Nelson was "very on edge about everything" when she took her twins home for the first time 17:01

    Environment:
    Humidity in Auckland has hit 93 percent - and MetService says temperatures in the Super City are not expected to drop much lower than 29 degrees as the day goes on 16:57

    Entertainment:
    Jordin Sparks wants to speak to Halle Berry about "hormones and menopause" 16:31

    National:
    A knock-off Pynchon without the punchline: George Saunders’ Vigil falls flat 16:17

    Soccer:
    Arsenal have become the first women's club world football champions 16:17

    National:
    US military action in Iran risks igniting a regional and global nuclear cascade 16:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd