Thread by @LATbermudez

Today's the day! I recently flew 2 the Mexican hometown of Roma Oscar nominee @YalitzaAparicio. I found an unexpected, dramatic tale much like a real life movie. Follow this thread 2 read the in-depth Column One +photos, video, lots of backstage footage u’ll only find ➡️ @latimes

Everyone in the pueblo of Tlaxiaco knows about the girl. They call her La Yalitza as if she were a storm that swept thru town. She's the biggest thing that's happened in a while. As they follow her fame proudly, they worry about another treasure in town. lat.ms/2NmSeyE

In 2015, big news came on Tlaxiaco radio. A celebrated musician named Alejandro Zamora was coming 2 town 2 form, from scratch, the first symphony band of children, all Mixtecos like @YalitzaAparicio. Zamora was passionate, tough, worked them 7 days/week, 2 hrs/day.

The band gained regional acclaim & was flourishing w/support from Tlaxiaco's mayor, Alejandro Aparicio. When a new mayor came, things took a turn. Zamora's pay was cut 80%. The kids weren't allowed 2 take part in Oaxaca's biggest fiesta 4 only the 2nd time in nearly 30 yrs.

As the band was hanging by a thread in 2018, a miracle came. A man running 4 president heard them play during a visit 2 Tlaxiaco. @lopezobrador_ invited them 2 perform @ his final campaign rally & inauguration. The kids made national headlines. Zamora was proud & relieved.

This year, a new mayor was elected - Zamora's old friend Alejandro Aparicio. He promised 2 restore his pay, rescue the band & help him launch a music university 4 indigenous children in Tlaxiaco & beyond. But 1 hr after Aparicio was elected, he was gunned down in broad daylight.

Today, dozens of camera crews trek up 2 Tlaxiaco in search of details about @YalitzaAparicio. They all end up at the Casa de la Cultura where Yalitza had her fateful audition, where the kids band rehearses. Zamora hopes, in some way, the attention she brings will help save them.

Our 2nd #ROMA story from Mexico focuses on the behind-the-scenes connection people in Tlaxiaco have w/ their hometown girl @YalitzaAparicio. They’re proud, surprised & excited. They’re also hurt by all the criticism Yalitza has endured 4 being indigenous. bit.ly/2T5FG3U

The road to Tlaxiaco is long and serpentine, up a rugged mountain covered with pines.
Locals were curious about @gary_coronado and I the moment we set foot in the tianguis, the bustling market held each Saturday in the town’s central plaza.

In LA, @YalitzaAparicio is a celebrity, the Oscar-nominated star of Roma schmoozing w/ Lady Gaga & Tom Hanks. In her hometown, she was a girl like so many w/ cinnamon skin, Mixteco & Triqui roots, dreams of being a preK teacher. People in Tlaxiaco smile @ any mention of her name

Soon as I boarded my plane 2 Oaxaca, Mexicans wanted 2 talk about Yalitza. Why’s everyone making a big deal about this girl? She was just a maid, 1 woman told me. Another man spoke nearly 1 hr about how much Yalitza’s indigenous roots have rocked Mexico’s racial & class core.

Many in Tlaxiaco haven’t seen #Roma, but they follow @YalitzaAparicio’s adventures online: in London, in Vogue Mexico, on the Jimmy Kimmel Show. The criticism hurts.
Some call Yali India, her skin burned, her nose smashed. “It hurts b/c she’s just like me,” said Nancy Cortez, 25

In recent months, journalists have flocked 2 Tlaxiaco hoping to learn about the @ROMACuaron star. They visit Yalitza’s grade school, high school and college. Also, the three-room preschool where the 25-year-old taught for three months after filming the movie.

If u go 2 Tlaxiaco searching 4 Yalitza’s family u won’t have much luck. Their corrugated metal shanty had been empty for some time. Outside, stray dogs roam & the piñatas Yali used 2 make w/her family 2 get by sit unfinished. Her sister said they don’t want 2 talk 2 reporters.

Since Yalitza left her town, she’s come back only a couple of times. “She’s a very simple girl,” one local said. “When she comes back to town, I see her out on the plaza eating chicharrones from her favorite stall.” Not far away, he said, her driver and bodyguard stand by.

Don’t miss out on this awesome video about the hometown of Oscar nominee @YalitzaAparicio & the mighty kids symphony band that’s pushing 2 survive after so much real life drama. 🙏🏻 @gary_coronado @yflores latimes.com/local/californ…

BREAKING: I received notice a moment ago that both of the main sources in my story today about Roma star @YalitzaAparicio’s hometown - Alejandro Zamora, director of the kids symphony band & Miguel Martinez Oseguera, director of Casa de la Cultura - were fired this evening.

Zamora said the new mayor (or interim mayor, need 2 confirm) Gaudencio Ortiz wants 2 take Tlaxiaco’s cultural center in a new direction. The kids must turn in their instruments by Friday end of day. Zamora said he & Oseguera are looking 4 a way 2 continue. More to come tomorrow.