Of Japanese descent, Ana Hikari says she has been discriminated against throughout her career

Protagonist of an edition of “Malhação” whose slogan was “Viva a Diferença” (2017-2018), actress Ana Hikari, 27, says that diversity, in fact, is not yet a reality in dramaturgy. “It’s not easy for audiovisual producers to think outside the box of white hegemony”, she says, in an interview with F5🇧🇷

Of Japanese descent, Hikari says she has already lost several tests, given “on a platter” to white candidates. “This is a reflection of what happens in the country. People believe a lot in the myth of racial equality and it is a lie, because this thing of saying that the country is mixed and welcoming to all ethnic groups is even on page 2”, he reinforces.

The actress, who recently finished filming two more seasons for the Globoplay series “As Five”, considers that her criticisms do not only concern Globo, but also other companies. And she says that concerns like these have already been addressed by her and other colleagues within the station, with which she has a flexible contract. “It’s a constant evolution.” Check out the full interview below🇧🇷

How is your professional moment today?

A month ago, we finished recording the second and third seasons of ‘As Five’ for Globoplay, with premiere scheduled for March. The pace was like a movie, 12 hours a day, five days a week. There were days when I recorded scenes from the second and third, it was insane for the mind. So I’m forcing myself to take a break, to meet friends I haven’t seen in a while.

You have plans to make movies, don’t you? Your contract with Globo allows you this flexibility.

The broadcaster is now more flexible, has more freedom, it’s easy to seek other horizons. Everyone already knows inside [Globoplay] that my main goal is cinema.

Is there still a lot of discrimination against Asians in audiovisual?

There is definitely prejudice, I have no doubt. But this is a reflection of what happens in the country. People believe a lot in the myth of racial equality and it’s a lie, because this thing of saying that the country is mixed and welcoming to all ethnicities is even on page 2. And when I say non-white people I mean Asian, indigenous, black . In the media, space is still small.

Do you think if you weren’t Asian, it would be easier to get jobs?

Perhaps. What I do know is that I didn’t audition for roles whose profile matched mine exactly: a girl my age, my gender, and even so I didn’t have the opportunity to apply. And I learned that those selected for the tests were all white. So I think a lot about the amount of tests I could have done if I didn’t have that clipping. It is not easy for audiovisual producers in general to think outside the box of white hegemony.

There is also the stereotype of the Asian actor…

It rolls a lot and it’s complicated. Sometimes you do a job and you don’t have a voice to question as an actor and you accept this situation, because we have bills to pay. We accept stigmatized roles due to lack of opportunities.

Sabrina Sato is an Asian woman who has many chances.

I love Sabrina. We met in an issue of a magazine we did together and since then she says she adopted me as her daughter. It’s a reference for me. The big question is that there are other yellow professionals as wonderful as Sabrina, they just need to be discovered.

Recently in a podcast you criticized the entry of influencers into dramaturgy. Is Globo wrong to give them a chance?

This is not restricted to Globo, it is something that occurs in all companies. In audiovisual this phenomenon has to do with their numbers, how much they represent and influence, they call attention. But number is not everything. And it’s easier for white influencers to get chances than racialized ones. Just observe, which influencers are taking chances? This is racial bias.

You are Globoplay’s poster girl, protagonist of ‘As Five’. Don’t you fear some kind of retaliation from the station for the criticism you make?

All public statements are things I have already spoken within the company. It’s not like I’m telling lies, the company itself is self-critical and invites talent from time to time to make observations. I have already made criticisms requested by Globo several times to see how we can improve everything. Globo is a company made up of people who are thinking about the future and the society we want. It’s a constant improvement. I’m not saying that Globo is elitist, but I see acting as very elitist. Art should not be elitist.