Shay Mitchell’s reality show “Thirst With Shay Mitchell” premiered on HBO Max in May, and it’s currently trending for a particular statement made by the host herself.
Photos: Netflix / HBO Max
The HBO series sees Shay Mitchell travel the world to explore drinks, cultures, history, and trends. In one of its episodes though, Shay Mitchell claimed that her father is Irish and her mother is Spanish. “You know what my background is? My dad’s Irish my mom’s Spanish,” Shay Mitchell said, as a preface to “I can drink a lot, and then I get f***ing spicy.”
Also read: It’s Shay Mitchell And Penn Badgley With A Jeepney!
Shay Mitchell’s half-Spanish claim sparked discussions among fans and followers. This is due to her previous acknowledgments of her Filipino roots.
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In 2021, Shay Mitchell starred as Alexandra Trese with Liza Soberano, the titular protagonist of the Filipino comic book “Trese” in its animated adaptation of the same name. She is joined by other Filipino Trese cast members Nicole Scherzinger, Manny Jacinto, Jon Jon Briontes, and Dante Basco, to name a few. In a previous interview, Trese creators explained the importance of casting actors with Filipino heritage.
Meanwhile, Shay Mitchell herself mentioned in another interview, “I grew up in Canada, but spent time in the Philippines growing up. No matter how much time I spent there though, it always felt like a visit. But working on this project, it made me feel closer to my mom’s heritage, like I am more a part of the community.”
In contrast to her Filipino claim earlier, Shay Mitchell’s half-Spanish claim on Thirst has the online community expressing their thoughts.
On X, content creator Mimasaur told Shay Mitchell to “own it.”
Shay Mitchell claiming she’s half “spanish” like Vanessa Hudgens used to.
Why do Filipino women married to white men love to identify as Spanish when they don’t even look it? No tf you’re not. You’re INDIO af. Katutubo. Native. Own it. pic.twitter.com/PkxOczhNIr
— Mimasaur (@AsiasTweetybird) June 19, 2024
Another X user, on the other hand, felt the need to “disown” Shay Mitchell.
Having to disown Shay Mitchell because she claimed her colonizer identity over her Filipino identity hurts my soul…but alas, we must do what we must do 🇵🇭💔 pic.twitter.com/YQC5Y74le4
— Tay Tawan’s phanrayaa (@RRivo) June 22, 2024
One netizen pointed out Shay Mitchell’s resemblance to her own mom.
shay mitchell claiming to be a spanish conquistador instead of filipino… baby you got your whole face and skin from mom 🤡 pic.twitter.com/9iN4NLEAaU
— is (@forkbum) June 23, 2024
Others got creative and posted memes surrounding Shay Mitchell’s half-Spanish claim.
Shay Mitchell and Vanessa Hudgens pic.twitter.com/DYNMp2oZC1
— brian (@iscreengrab) June 25, 2024
Also read: Penn Badgley And Shay Mitchell Enjoy Some Halo-Halo In Manila
Shay Mitchell has yet to make a statement regarding the controversy as of writing.
How about you, what are your thoughts on this? Tell us in the comments.
