Art Of Pretending

I think by now we most definitely all know the “newest” Hollywood icon. Pedro Pascal practically took over the world in a matter of weeks – although the Chilean-American actor has proven his perseverance in the film business for decades now. He started from the bottom and is now an essential part of seemingly every hit show tv land has to offer. Pascal’s career is a phenomenon – in a way i feel like it’s never been done like this before. TikTok- and social media in general- are a big reason for everyone with running internet connection knowing his name but also unfortunately play a gigantic part in the severe sexualisation that he has been receiving recently – and to be quite frank most of his career. Tags of a certain sexual nature amass thousands if not millions of views & everyone feels entitled to have a piece of Pascal, a man who is too kind to ask people to stop dehumanising him. People in this day and age feel way too comfortable with what they share on socials, and about what they utter about other people- especially strangers.

In a way adoration has turned into infatuation that embraced obsession.

The internet can’t let us enjoy things moderately since it loves taking everything way too far. Bless Pedro for still being somewhat active on Instagram cause many (me too) would have stopped interacting a while ago.

Latino men like Pedro Pascal get the Hollywood actress treatment, wherein they get sexualised and reduced to their bodily features every time they leave the house or promote their newest acting gig. Apparently it is essential for interviewers to make actresses, and actors like Pascal – as uncomfortable as they can – so the public can continue sexualising, infantilising and objectifying them to their liking. This is something women have had to deal with for decades, no matter the field of work they see themselves in. No interest in their work, their aspirations, their stories whatsoever – just a focus on their bodies, sex appeal and how they can make us feel. In general women are seen as nothing but “sex”- doesn’t it get old?

That being said, there has also been an obnoxious sexualisation of Latinx characters and individuals which Hollywood has normalised. Fetishisation takes place, which is extremely alarming. They too, are reduced to their bodies, & stereotypes have been created to sell tickets & get people into the cinema. We see nothing but a stereotypical depiction of Latin characters that transcends into real life and makes them a vessel for people to live out their weird infatuation and fantasies without being questioned for it; whilst the actors/ actresses get ridiculed, are not taken seriously and lose all sense of having agency. Even the spanish language goes through the process of hypersexualisation. This sexualisation and reduction to only regarding their bodies as newsworthy is a bizarre phenomenon and should evoke concern in the general public but seemingly everyone seems okay with it. The assumption that actors with Latinx ancestry are only successful in the film business because of their so called “exoticness”, clearly feeds the stereotypes & diminishes any possibilities of diversifying the image of latin people in film. Furthermore it creates this obscure illusion of them being inferior or bad people.

Coming back to Pedro and how social media and the general public have treated him his entire career: It really doesn’t matter if the actor “played into it” before, if he decides to not put up with the sexualisation of his persona anymore, then this should be respected!! The constant dehumanisation that takes place shouldn’t be happening in the first place. Him setting a boundary to protect his peace isn’t something you can later negate for him. That being said if he feels comfortable enough to go along with what others are saying, that is okay and not him “trying to get clicks out of it”!

Let’s not forget that this man has agency & it is not your place to tell him what he should and should not feel comfortable with. Him being a middle aged man with an i-Pad kid persona doesn’t take away from the fact that our interference with his private life should be at a minimum. Be invested in his films and his shows, not every detail of his private life. He is a good egg, doesn’t mean that we then should feel entitled to know everything about him.

I also wrote this article since it is utterly aggravating for me – a writer – to see people interview him and asking the most boring and ridiculous questions humankind has ever had to witness. If I have to hear another person ask him “how it feels to be the daddy of the internet ” I will flip a table. THIS just screams “let’s get clicks” & is unoriginal to me.

So I have written down questions I would ask señor Pascal if I ever had the chance to interview him. (Pedro if you see this I have a brilliant podcast) It would have actually made my life if I could have interviewed him at the Cannes Film Festival (that blog post will follow soon). Fingers crossed it’ll happen one day.

(Enjoy these- hopefully – good questions)

• What was the most gratifying experience you have had so far, that might have changed how you view yourself or your career?

(This is an essential question since it interests me a lot)

• How do you cope with grief? And have you got any piece of advice you could give someone who has just lost someone?

(In no way would I want to force him to answer this but I just know he would have an answer that could prevent lots of panic attacks out there)

Now this next one is a very specific question, and very specific to my person.

• Have you ever thought about becoming the new Indiana Jones? 

I know he has been a fan of the franchise ever since he was young, as was I (glad I’m no way near 48 though). I would just really like to see his face light up at the fact that another die hard Harrison Ford and Indiana Jones fan would think he’s the perfect fit to play a different version of the iconic character.

I can just imagine his answer being something of this sort: HARRISON FORD IS THE ONLY INDY, I COULD NEVER…

• Is a romcom ever something you would like to explore doing?

The world is practically on their knees begging god and who not to cast Pedro in a romcom. I also think he would fully excel at being the protagonist in one, but I do have one condition: I need it to have good writing. If its plot, characters etc. disappoint me I fear I won’t recover from that. There might only be one way I’d be happy with the writing. *starts scriptsoftware* DOING IT MYSELF. 

I am also just really excited to see him in all the new projects that have been announced recently, he has a very diverse filmography and I applaud him for that.

Maybe it would also be a good question to ask him:

• If he’d play a certain type of character twice or if he’s reluctant about that & wants to reinvent himself anew every time…

I might be the most European kid you will ever meet since I’m home in three completely different cultures. Pedro himself has been trying to navigate his life in Chile & the USA for his whole life, so I would love to know how that process has been for him.

• What does it feel like being part of two contrasting cultures? Have you ever felt a sense of not belonging, like an imposter or simply alienated?

The whole world knows his face and it seems like it won’t be forgotten for a long time, but…

• …if you got your anonymity back what’s one thing you’d do?

Another question that is quite self explanatory:

• What is a piece of advice you will never forget?

• If you were to paint your nails what colour would you choose? 

(YEAH YEAH I have seen his interviews), I know he likes complimenting people’s nails so I gotta know. I do think he’ll say purple though but – solid choice. (It is so endearing how he stops an interview just to compliment the interviewer so they feel at ease & not so anxious.)

• Do you think Hollywood and the film business have changed even slightly ever since you started pursuing your dream of becoming an actor?

This question links perfectly to the aforementioned arguments in this article and I would just like to hear his opinion since he hasn’t had it easy.

• What would have been your plan B? or was there just always plan A?

In a sense I believe Pedro just always knew he would become an actor. Just hearing stories of his child- & adulthood gives you enough insight to know he’s an all or nothing guy.

Those are just some of the questions I would love to get answers to. Pedro Pascal is a phenomenon & great actor who took over the world by storm and that was only just the beginning. The excitement for the new projects is enormous and I honestly can’t wait. 

This is how easy it actually is asking questions that don’t focus solely on Pedro’s body or attractiveness. Ask him questions that get good answers, ask him questions about his work and not about whether he likes being called “daddy”. Be a decent human- and interviewers just do your job correctly.

The man who makes everyone feel at ease and safe should also feel that in return. Safety, good will & kindness.

I just hope the way he and other Latin people are portrayed moves past stereotypes and sexualisation and shows real depictions and real people. You wouldn’t want anyone to sexualise you – so why do it yourself? Just because he is an older man doesn’t magically erase the boundary so you can cross that line time and time again. Even his nearest friends & loved ones have spoken up about all this – makes you wonder what his poor soul might think of it. 

Anyway his newest short film that debuted in Cannes at its annual Film Festival “A Strange Way Of Life” is now in select theatres – and it’s GOOD so don’t miss it !!! 

With all this being said I hope everyone now makes themselves a good green juice or coffee (iykyk), turns on a pedro film or show and relaxes a bit. 

…PEDRO PASCAL IS DA – ringly good at his job.