Actor John Leguizamo took the stage at the Emmys on Sunday to deliver a passionate speech in defense of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Hollywood. Leguizamo, a vocal advocate for underrepresented communities in the entertainment industry, declared himself a proud member of “Hollywood’s DEI hires” and urged the industry to continue making strides toward inclusivity.

“That’s right, DEI: the ‘D’ is for diligence, the ‘E’ is for excellence, the ‘I’ is for imagination,” Leguizamo said. “Everyone in this room tonight has dedicated their lives to diligence, excellence, and imagination, so we all are DEI hires.” He highlighted the importance of recognizing the talents of minority artists and praised the increasing presence of Latinx actors in Hollywood.

Leguizamo referenced his recent New York Times advertisement, in which he called on Emmy voters to acknowledge candidates of color, emphasizing that while progress has been made, there is still work to do. He celebrated the achievements of Latina stars Selena Gomez, nominated for “Only Murders in the Building,” and Sofia Vergara, nominated for her role in “Griselda.”

“Tonight is among the most diverse list of nominees in Emmys history,” Leguizamo noted. “I see lots of my incredibly talented Latinx brothers and sisters. Selena Gomez has been carrying Steve Martin and Martin Short for three whole seasons. Sofia Vergara is nominated, too—it’s great to see us finally getting recognition.”

Reflecting on his upbringing, Leguizamo recalled witnessing prominent white actors playing Latino characters, citing examples like Marlon Brando in “Viva Zapata!” and Al Pacino as Tony Montana in “Scarface.” “I saw a lot of brownface,” he said. “Everybody played us.”

Leguizamo pointed to recent signs of change, such as the election of Cris Abrego, the first Latino chair of the Emmys Academy. However, he stressed that the entertainment industry must continue to embrace and elevate stories from other marginalized communities, including Black, Asian, Jewish, Arab, LGBTQ+, and disabled artists.

The actor’s impassioned speech comes as part of his broader campaign to promote inclusivity. His full-page New York Times ad called on Emmy voters to support artists of color, urging, “America is better when it is inclusive. It is more profitable. It is more creative!”

Leguizamo concluded his speech with a call to action: “Let this be the year we truly find equity. Let us not continue to whitewash our awards shows. Instead, let this be the catalyst that inspires the next generation of underrepresented artists to see themselves on that stage.”