News | Entertainment
3 Feb 2026 10:00
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
     03 Feb: Kate Walsh says Eric Dane's health battle is "so painful"
     03 Feb: Paris Hilton has been talking to Britney Spears about making some "fun music" together
     03 Feb: Yungblud was joined on stage by a tearful Sharon Osbourne as he won the Best Rock Performance gong at the Grammy Awards
     03 Feb: Steven Spielberg has earned EGOT status after winning his first Grammy Award
     03 Feb: Rosanna Arquette is happy being single
     03 Feb: Charli xcx is looking forward to turning 40
     03 Feb: Paris Hilton bonded with Britney Spears over the "trauma'" they both experienced back in the 2000s - declaring it has made them both "so strong"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo wants to leave a lasting impact on New Zealand rugby More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    How decluttering your digital streaming subscriptions can save you money this year More...



     Today's News

    Entertainment:
    Kate Walsh says Eric Dane's health battle is "so painful" 9:31

    Law and Order:
    Two men have been arrested and charged, over a robbery at a west Auckland construction site 9:27

    Entertainment:
    Paris Hilton has been talking to Britney Spears about making some "fun music" together 9:01

    Environment:
    Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo wants to leave a lasting impact on New Zealand rugby 8:57

    Entertainment:
    Yungblud was joined on stage by a tearful Sharon Osbourne as he won the Best Rock Performance gong at the Grammy Awards 8:31

    Environment:
    Communities around Hawke's Bay are commemorating 95 years since the 1931 earthquake 8:17

    Law and Order:
    A man's appearing in court today, following an Environment Southland investigation into odour complaints at a Southland slink skin factory 8:07

    Entertainment:
    Steven Spielberg has earned EGOT status after winning his first Grammy Award 8:01

    Accident and Emergency:
    The tragic history of a man who died in a helicopter crash has now been revealed 7:47

    Business:
    How decluttering your digital streaming subscriptions can save you money this year 7:37


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd