A recent message from Fey, renowned interpreter of hits such as Azúcar Amargo, addressed to Mexican actress Yalitza Aparicio, provoked a wave of reactions on social networks. The comment, which was intended to be a gesture of admiration, ended up generating a heated debate about the talent of the Oaxacan actress and the weight of prejudice in entertainment.
The moment that sparked the controversy occurred after a performance of the play “Cabaret” in Mexico City. Fey shared on her Instagram account a photograph with Yalitza Aparicio. In the image, the singer appears with a brown outfit -shirt and matching pants-, while the star of ROMA wears a more relaxed outfit, composed of denim jeans and a transparent blouse.
Fey accompanied the photo with a message highlighting her admiration for Yalitza’s career: “How beautiful to coincide with an actress of your stature, may you continue to shine in the whole world.
The comment sought to acknowledge Aparicio’s impact on cinema and her international projection. However, what could have been a polite and supportive exchange between two public figures soon turned into an online debate.
In the comments section of the publication, some users disqualified Yalitza Aparicio’s acting talent, writing messages such as: “That woman has no talent, but good thing she is doing so well” or “I don’t see her as an actress”.
On the other hand, many people defended the actress and highlighted the symbolism of the photograph: “Two icons of Mexico in a single image,” wrote one follower, while another added: “Yalitza must continue to shine without paying attention to the haters.
The episode once again highlighted the divisions of opinion that have accompanied Aparicio since she rose to fame with her role in Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA, the film that catapulted her to international fame.
Yalitza Aparicio and Fey with strong controversy
Since being nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress in 2019, Yalitza Buzzy has faced discriminatory comments related to her indigenous origin, skin tone and sudden success, even suffering attacks coming from other members of the acting guild in Mexico.
Far from being intimidated, the actress has turned these experiences into an impulse to inspire others. In a 2021 interview with Chilean actress Daniela Vega, Aparicio confessed:
“I was asked a lot if I wanted to continue in film and I didn’t know, because it was that bombardment against illusion. But the desire arose to be able to say: ‘Now whoever comes after me doesn’t have to suffer for this. You have to open doors. I understood that I have a good platform to inspire other people and I don’t want them to go through what I went through.”
Yalitza Aparicio’s activism has been recognized internationally. In 2019 she was appointed UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador, with a commitment to raise global awareness of the rights of indigenous peoples and promote inclusion.
Their role is not limited to film; their voice has become a tool for visibility against discrimination, opening the way for other actors from historically marginalized communities to find space in the industry.
The exchange between Fey and Yalitza Aparicio, which began as a simple gesture of admiration, again highlighted the challenges facing diversity in the entertainment world. It also made clear the support the actress continues to receive from public figures and fans who value her role as a symbol of inclusion and perseverance in contemporary Mexican culture.
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