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22 Feb 2026 19:30
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  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Odessa A'zion has insisted the "last thing" she ever wants to do is "offend anybody"

    The 25-year-old actress recently dropped out of movie Deep Cuts following a backlash over "whitewashing", and the star has now insisted she never wants anybody to feel "any type of way".


    Odessa told Elle magazine: "If people knew me personally, the way a lot of OGs do that have been sticking up for me, they'd know what I stand for.

    "I don't want to make anybody feel any type of way.

    "Like, that's the last thing I want to do. I don't want to offend anybody, ever."

    Odessa had been cast as Zoe Gutierrez - a Jewish character of Mexican heritage - in Sean Durkin's upcoming adaptation of Holly Brickley's acclaimed novel.

    But she quit Deep Cuts following the controversy over a 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)"

    Ariela Barer will now take on the role of Zoe, and Odessa admitted she was "so so so so so happy" about the casting news.

    She wrote on Instagram: "She's gonna eat it up"

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

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