Actress Marlee Matlin is calling out kids’ music brand Kidz Bop for what she considers the poor treatment of a deaf performer. According to The A.V. Club, Matlin is referring to the treatment of a young deaf performer named Savannah/Savvy, who became part of the brand late last year. However, the Children of a Lesser God star learned from Savvy’s mother that the girl’s request to be part of the group’s touring company was denied due to an interpreter costing too much money. Matlin sounded off, saying, “What do you mean too expensive? Too expensive to pay for the interpreter. Too expensive to give her access. That’s f**king ridiculous.”
Savvy, the deaf performer and Kidz Bop star Marlee Matlin is advocating for, can be seen in a video below:
Marlee Matlin Advocates for Deaf Performers
Marlee Matlin is one of the most prominent deaf actresses in America. She won an Oscar for Children of a Lesser God and starred in last year’s Best Picture winner, Coda. She uses her celebrity status to advocate for other deaf performers as well as those with other disabilities. But in spite of her efforts and success, she still deals with hurdles in her own career, including having a TV role as a judge rescinded from her due to the producers not knowing how to incorporate an interpreter into the show. This is similar to what is happening with Savvy at Kidz Bop, allowing Matlin to identify with her fellow deaf performer.
While the disabled have certainly faced hurdles in getting recognition, the film and TV industries are taking steps toward equality. Netflix has casted a blind actress to play a blind character in All the Light We Cannot See. And, of course, RJ Mitte, who has cerebral palsy, garnered much acclaim as Walter Jr. in Breaking Bad. While disabled performers like Marlee Matlin and Savvy from Kidz Bop still face hurdles, there is hope for more diversity and equality in film, TV, and music.
