Odessa A’zion, fresh off her breakout turn in Marty Supreme, has dropped out of Deep Cuts, the forthcoming A24 adaptation of Holly Brickley’s novel, after her casting sparked criticism over representation.
The film, directed by Sean Durkin, stars Drew Starkey and Cailee Spaeny as two music-obsessed twenty-somethings whose lives and ambitions unfold over a decade. A’zion was announced earlier this week as Zoe Gutierrez, a key supporting character and the ex of Spaeny’s Percy.
Soon after the casting news broke, fans of Brickley’s 2021 novel pointed out that Zoe is explicitly written as being of Mexican heritage — something A’zion does not share. The response was swift, with social media users questioning why the role had not gone to a Mexican actor.
Late Wednesday night, A’zion addressed the backlash directly in a series of Instagram Stories, announcing she was stepping away from the project entirely.
“Guys!! I am with ALL of you, and I am NOT doing this movie,” the 25-year-old actor wrote. “Thank you guys for bringing this to my attention. I AGREE WITH EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU!”
A’zion explained that she had initially auditioned for a different character and was offered the role of Zoe afterward. “I went in for Percy, but was offered Zoe instead and instantly said yes!” she wrote, adding that she had not yet read the book and failed to fully understand the character’s background before accepting.
“That’s on me,” she acknowledged. “I’m so pissed y’all… and now that I know what I know??? I’m out!”
She went on to say she would never knowingly take a role meant for someone else. “There are a plentitude of people more than capable of playing this role and I am not one of them,” A’zion wrote. “I can’t wait to see who it ends up being.”
Despite her explanation, A’zion’s recent Instagram posts have been flooded with comments accusing her of taking opportunities away from Mexican artists. In a follow-up comment on a post shared last week, she reiterated that she had gone up for a different role and thanked fans for flagging the issue.
“I actually love you guys for bringing this to my attention,” she wrote. “Please check my story and THANK YOU GUYS FOR TELLING ME.”
Deep Cuts has already weathered casting changes. The film was initially set to star Saoirse Ronan and Austin Butler, both of whom exited earlier due to scheduling conflicts. Zoe is written as Percy’s former partner, a role now left open following A’zion’s departure.
The film is produced by Eli Bush, Ronald Bronstein, and Josh Safdie, with Durkin also producing alongside Anthony Katagas, Jordan Tappis, and A24. Brickley serves as an executive producer.
For A’zion, the decision appears final — and emphatic. In her own words, the role “SHOULD” go to someone else.
