You spend the majority of your time on screen shirtless. How do you stay fit?
Apple pie and root-beer floats, lots of fries, pizza and cheeseburgers

Where are your favorite places to eat, drink and play in New York?
A variety of Williamsburg coffeehouses.

For decades, stereotypes were a common place for Native American roles who were not even played by the indigenous but rather Caucasians who wore long black wigs and whose faces were painted with red and brown makeup. Once the public made a demand for more “authentic” Native Americans, other races filled the parts such as Philippines, Asians and Latin Americans. Since the arrival of one the most successful box office hits, Twilight, the question of Native Americans in Hollywood once again rises.

Native American Influences in Twilight

In the sequel to Twilight movie, New Moon, there is a Native American tribe that is represented, the Quileute tribe, which is able to transform into strong and powerful wolves who hunt and slay vampires. Some of the actors in this wolf pack are from native American decent which has paved way for fellow natives to show their acting talents and that there is a lot of room in Hollywood for the misrepresented roles of Native Americans.

Although some of the Twilight craze has been fueled with some Native Americans continuing to be upset by their portrayal, many of the twilight actors have become advocates for the Native Americans and have shed some light on the thoughts of Native American actors in Hollywood and in Hollywood films. Many stereotypes have portrayed Natives for years such as their infamous use of feathers, leather and long hair. The Native American New Moon actors Alex Meraz and Chaske Spencer have confessed that New Moon is a new type of History in Hollywood concerning Native Americans, where they are finally able to shed many of the previous Hollywood stereotypes concerning indigenous tribes.

Twilight Controversies Regarding Indigenous Tribes

Is the new Twilight movie, New Moon, free from indigenous stereotypes? No, but improvements have been made. Plus these young actors are finally encouraging others to embrace their roots. One large controversy has been that the wolf pack cast of Twilighters discovered their roots after having been chosen for the role which has outraged the Native American community. The principal Werewolf, Jacob Black, played by Taylor Lautner caused a stir of controversy because he learned about his roots after the fact of being cast as Jacob. Many were doubtful as to his lineage concerning that he found out after being cast in the role.

However, without this role, these young actors may have never even discovered their family lineages. Either way, the New Moon movie has certainly opened the door for many Native American actors who are embracing their new found culture and encouraging others to do so as well and the Twilight sequel has also changed the way audiences view Native Americans in film, furthering them from the stereotypes of “old Hollywood.” The Twilight series, which has a vital role for Native Americans in New Moon and Eclipse, the third installment of the Twilight Franchise, will most likely be one of the first Native American influences that young audiences view. Twilight creator, Stephanie Meyer, has given each character their own unique personalities and traits which show the more human side of Native Americans, rather than the stereotyped and generalized indigenous view that other movies have displayed.

A Time of Change

More and more, Native American actors can fight for their rights in Hollywood to be cast in the roles in which they represent. No longer do these parts need to be filled by others who most likely do not understand the indigenous roots of the character. Also, considering the decreasing population of Native Americans and for those who have lost touch with their indigenous roots, the Twilight movies help audiences to get in touch with their ancestry and to embrace their culture, no matter how out of touch they have been. In a way, Twilight has made it cool to embrace one’s indigenous roots rather than to hide any trace as before.