Passing for "Latin white"

 

Early in Lena Horne’s career there were complaints that she did not fit the desired image of a black entertainer for white audiences, either physically or in her style…Noting her brunette-white beauty, one white agent tried to get her to take a Spanish name, learn some Spanish songs, and pass as a Latin white, but she had learned to have a horror of passing and never considered it…

Davis, F. James. Who Is Black? One Nation's Definition. N.p., Pennsylvania State University Press, 2010.

While touring with Barnet, Horne was noticed by an MGM talent scout during a stop in Los Angeles. She landed a contract with the studio but initially was cast only as "window dressing," appearing in the background. With her light skin tone, the studio had pressed her into trying to "pass as a Latin," which she refused.

Byrge, Duane. “Lena Horne Dies at 92.” The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2010, 

The light-complexioned Horne refused to go along with studio plans to promote her as a Latin American. She later said she did not want to be "an imitation of a white woman."'

Duke, Alan. “Legendary Singer, Actress Lena Horne Dead at 92.” CNN Entertainment, 11 May 2010.