Anya Taylor-Joy, a highly acclaimed actress known for her roles in The Queen’s Gambit and The Super Mario Bros. Movie, recently found herself at the center of an online debate. Following her Golden Globe win, she was referred to as a “woman of color” by Variety, causing confusion and debate across social media.

Anya Taylor-Joy, 27, has built an impressive career with notable roles in films such as The Menu and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Beth Harmon in The Queen’s Gambit, which earned her a Golden Globe. Her performance as a young Imperator Furiosa in the upcoming prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road has also garnered significant attention. Taylor-Joy continues to make waves in the film industry, receiving praise for her diverse and powerful performances.

Taylor-Joy’s Golden Globe win for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film for The Queen’s Gambit sparked controversy when Variety described her as a “woman of color.” The article stated, “Argentinian Taylor-Joy is the first woman of color to win this category since Queen Latifah in 2008.” This description puzzled many, leading to a flurry of reactions on social media. Writer Valerie Complex highlighted the issue on Twitter, expressing her confusion and disbelief at the statement, according to IGV.

The internet was quick to respond to Variety’s description of Taylor-Joy. Many users pointed out that while Taylor-Joy is of Argentine descent, she does not fit the traditional perception of a woman of color. One user remarked, “Anya Taylor-Joy is very beautiful and very cool but she is not a woman of color.” Another user added, “Latin American is not an ethnicity; it refers to a geographical or cultural area.” The debate underscored the complexities of racial and ethnic identity, especially in a diverse and multicultural society.

Born in Miami, Florida, Anya Taylor-Joy is the daughter of a Scottish-Argentine father and a mother of English and Spanish descent. She spent her early years in Argentina before moving to the UK. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Taylor-Joy has a rich and diverse cultural background. Despite this, she acknowledges the challenges of being categorized based on appearance and heritage. In an interview with Vulture, she stated, “I don’t look like a typical Latin person, and that’s not fair.”

In response to the controversy, Variety updated their article to more accurately reflect Taylor-Joy’s ancestry. The actress herself has spoken out about the importance of proper representation in Hollywood. She expressed her desire not to take roles away from Latina actresses, saying, “I don’t want to be someone that you can just sub in for that role when I’m really white and blonde.” This statement emphasizes her awareness of the nuances of racial identity and the need for accurate representation in the entertainment industry.