Rethinking Borders: The Role of Eurocentric Casting and Gender Roles in the Globalization of Latinidad on Reality TV
Presentation Type
Poster
Presentation Type
Submission
Keywords
Nation Branding, Transnational Streaming, Latinidad, Mexican Television, Reality Television, Eurocentrism
Department
Hispanic Studies
Major
Political Science And Hispanic Studies
Abstract
As streaming platforms gain popularity and expand globally, international streaming providers such as Netflix have invested heavily in Mexican productions as part of their regional content strategies. While these platforms promote “quality” productions featuring localized talent and cultural authenticity to represent local communities to international markets, scholars have noted that transnational streaming industries frequently shape how national identities are visually represented across borders. Drawing on nation branding (Aronczyk, 2013; Anholt, 2007), transnational streaming media (Straubhaar et al., 2025), and racial hierarchies in Mexican television (Ramos & De Castro, 2025), this project examines the Netflix reality series Love is Blind: México by conducting a qualitative textual analysis of its first season. The analysis focuses on casting choices, spatial representation, and narrative framing to explore how the series constructs a globally marketable image of Mexican identity. Particular interest is given to how the producers highlight an idealized embodiment of the “Latin-look” to present a visual discourse of difference that constructs a globalized and performative version of Latinidad tailored for international consumption. The findings suggest that the series functions as a soft-power instrument in rebranding Mexican national identity, privileging Eurocentric casting and gendered ideals while producing a curated, globally consumable version of Latinidad. In doing so, the series illustrates how reality television can operate as a site where nation branding, platform economics, and historical media hierarchies converge.
Faculty Mentor
Dr. Roshawnda A. Derrick
Funding Source or Research Program
Academic Year Undergraduate Research Initiative, Summer Undergraduate Research Program
Location
Waves Cafeteria
Start Date
10-4-2026 1:00 PM
End Date
10-4-2026 2:00 PM
Rethinking Borders: The Role of Eurocentric Casting and Gender Roles in the Globalization of Latinidad on Reality TV
Waves Cafeteria
As streaming platforms gain popularity and expand globally, international streaming providers such as Netflix have invested heavily in Mexican productions as part of their regional content strategies. While these platforms promote “quality” productions featuring localized talent and cultural authenticity to represent local communities to international markets, scholars have noted that transnational streaming industries frequently shape how national identities are visually represented across borders. Drawing on nation branding (Aronczyk, 2013; Anholt, 2007), transnational streaming media (Straubhaar et al., 2025), and racial hierarchies in Mexican television (Ramos & De Castro, 2025), this project examines the Netflix reality series Love is Blind: México by conducting a qualitative textual analysis of its first season. The analysis focuses on casting choices, spatial representation, and narrative framing to explore how the series constructs a globally marketable image of Mexican identity. Particular interest is given to how the producers highlight an idealized embodiment of the “Latin-look” to present a visual discourse of difference that constructs a globalized and performative version of Latinidad tailored for international consumption. The findings suggest that the series functions as a soft-power instrument in rebranding Mexican national identity, privileging Eurocentric casting and gendered ideals while producing a curated, globally consumable version of Latinidad. In doing so, the series illustrates how reality television can operate as a site where nation branding, platform economics, and historical media hierarchies converge.