What is taking them so long? ‘Winx Saga’ adds Latinx character to new season

Storytelling is a part of human nature. Stories help us observe the condition of our species and make merry. So, it’s easy to see how the film industry plays such a consistent and paramount role in our everyday lives. Always parting the limits of entertainment, films bring us numerous stories in the form of fascinating movie pictures and performances for great pounds of profit. 

But the industry wasn’t created by perfect gods – rather, by fallible human beings. So, while some parts of the film industry may be witty, popular, and exciting, there are also some unwelcome aspects involved. One film issue pertains not to the industry but the art itself. Hollywood has a long history of whitewashing. 

It’s the act of producers seeking & casting white actors for roles that were originally meant for people of color. It continues the promotion of values that choose and praise White actors over other races. Content creators must realize that what they put out there is going to gather the attention of the masses. Thus, it matters. 

Artists know the importance of their art but sometimes, it can feel like Hollywood is on a different page. What is taking them so long? Fate: The Winx Saga just added a Latinx character to their upcoming second season after claims of white washing. Here’s what we know so far. 

Fate: The Winx Saga

Fate: The Winx Saga illustrates the coming-of-age journey of five fairies attending a magical boarding school in the Otherworld named Alfea. They must learn how to gain control of their enchanting powers while coping with monsters who threaten their very existence along with ordinary human affairs like love and envy. 

After assiduously looking for information about her birth parents, Bloom learns about Aster Dale — a town which was wiped out by former headmistress of Alfea, Rosalind in the midst of a fervent fight against the Burned Ones. 

Rosalind ends up manipulating Bloom into freeing her, and then taking down the magical barrier that protects Alfea. The Burned Ones plunder the school, leaving the teachers & students to gather in a courtyard. They prepare to fight. 

Rosalind blames the school attack on the involvement of evil blood witches. Bloom tries to help her friends and ends up facing off against a full force of Burned Ones. She awakens ancient powers within herself known as the Dragon Flame. Her wings bloomed like a summer flower and released her fearless magic fire to save her school. But just as the peace was coming back, Rosalind returned. 

With predictions of terrible events. Silva got arrested for the attempted murder of Sky’s father Andreas, who turned out to be secretly alive. The Winx returned to school seeking a crucial power shift and brace themselves for what’s next. 

Latinx Character

Fate: The Winx Saga has not only been confirmed but production has begun! And there will be some new faces greeting us when it takes its spot on Netflix. There’ll be a few new names but the most significant is the appearance of Flora, previously mentioned as Terra’s (Elliot Salt) cousin. She’s an earth fairy portrayed by actress Paulina Chávez. 

Flora, a Latinx character, was in the original Nickelodeon series Winx Club. The producers of Fate: The Winx Saga, however, featured Terra as a white character. With this character being part of the main lineup, questions about whitewashing arose. The same went for character Musa (Elisha Applebaum) who was rendered East Asain in the cartoon. 

One of the cast members, Abigail Cowen told The Wrap in an interview, “. . . I think hopefully these concerns are something that can be addressed because I do think diversity both in front of and behind the camera is vital and much needed throughout the industry and internationally. So I think it’s important that we are having these conversations.” 

—

What is the state of whitewashing in Hollywood? Fate: The Winx Saga has begun production with a Latinx character but does this mean for the series? What do you think about the dialogue of representation in the arts? Let us know in the comments!