“Cha Cha Real Smooth” and “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” are among recent winners of the Ruderman Family Foundation’s Authentic Representation Seal, Variety learned exclusively.
The Foundation recognizes films and television series that include authentic representation of people with disabilities. Vanessa Burghardt, an autistic actress, plays Lola, the autistic daughter of Domino (Dakota Johnson), in the comedy-drama “Cha Cha Real Smooth”.
“From the moment the film’s creator, Cooper Raiff, saw Vanessa’s audition, he immediately knew she was our Lola. No one could deny her talent, but authenticity was important to everyone. world, so Cooper changed the script to age the character and that was the end of it. Looking back, I can’t imagine another person playing Lola,” producer Jessica Switch said in a statement. “Vanessa was perfect. She was extremely professional and sweet on set. She nailed every take and always came prepared. She also brought her personal experience to the character. The headphones she wears in the film are her own headphones, and like the character, Vanessa uses them as a source of comfort and security.
Burghardt added, “Everyone involved was so committed to making sure Lola’s experience as an autistic character was accurate and I always felt like my input mattered. As an autistic actor, I really have a lot to say and I want to be part of other people’s stories. I feel like authentic casting is so important because it gives me the opportunity to do that.
The Seal of Authentic Representation was also awarded to the Paramount+ series “Star Trek: Strange New Worlds” for casting Bruce Horak, the first legally blind lead actor of “Star Trek,” as the chief engineer of Enterprise, Lt. Hemmer. Other winners include HBO’s “The Sex Lives of College Girls,” Hallmark’s “Color My World with Love,” and the Apple TV+ series “Best Foot Forward.”
“The latest group of studio productions to receive our Authentic Representation Seal has once again proven that practicing inclusive casting and authentic representation is not just a principled and morally sound choice, but an important contributing factor to the actual success of a production,” said Jay Ruderman. , president of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “This is most evident throughout ‘Cha Cha Real Smooth,’ the authenticity of which drove the film’s critical acclaim. We hope results like this will encourage Hollywood to continue expanding opportunities for people with disabilities, especially in roles that represent the same handicaps.