Golden Globe-winning Hispanic actress Gina Rodriguez has asked producers of her hit sitcom to use her Emmys campaign money to put an undocumented student through university, US media reported Thursday.
The 33-year-old star of Jane the Virgin will be among those vying for glory at television’s version of the Oscars but wants CBS TV Studios not to splash around any cash on “for your consideration” (FYC) campaign events.
“FYC is a bizarre dance. Whatever you do requires an insane amount of money,” Rodriguez, who appeared earlier this year opposite Natalie Portman in sci-fi movie Annihilation, told The Hollywood Reporter.
The cash for the usual billboards, show-branded swag, parties and screenings will go instead to a full four-year college scholarship for a Princeton University-bound young woman.
“Our show has always jumped at any opportunity to help me do something for the Latinx community,” Rodriguez added.
“So I asked my showrunner, Jennie [Snyder Urman], if we could do something different with the money this year.”
Set in Miami, Jane the Virgin brings together a majority Hispanic cast for the story of a religious young teacher who is accidentally inseminated during a visit to the doctor.
Rodriguez, who won a 2015 Golden Globe but has never received an Emmy nomination for her role, told The Hollywood Reporter she had mixed feelings about discussing her decision.
“It’s taboo to talk about the money being spent, but it’s the reality,” said Rodriguez, a member of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund since 2015.
“I think sharing this might inspire other people to do something similar.”
The 2018 Emmy nominations will be announced in July.
