The White House was buzzing with excitement as President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted a special screening of the Disney+/Hulu movie, Flamin’ Hot. The film, which tells the story of Frito Lay janitor Richard Montañez and his rise to success after inventing the iconic snack, was hailed by Biden as “the first-ever public screening of a film focused on the Hispanic community at the White House.” The President, First Lady, and director Eva Longoria even took to the South Lawn to address the crowd, who were munching on chips and, of course, Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
Biden spoke about the importance of opportunity and courage, values that the Hispanic community embodies. He also emphasized the power of storytelling and the need to treat storytellers with dignity and respect. Longoria, who also appeared at a fundraiser for Biden’s 2024 reelection campaign, echoed Biden’s sentiments and stressed the importance of the upcoming election.
The screening was a star-studded affair, with producer DeVon Franklin, MPA chairman and CEO Charles Rivkin, and songwriter Diane Warren in attendance. The event was a testament to the power of diversity and equality, values that the White House has long championed.
Flamin’ Hot is just the latest project to get a special screening at the White House, following in the footsteps of other socially conscious films like American Born Chinese and Till. With its inspiring story of perseverance and success, it’s no wonder that this film has captured the hearts of audiences everywhere.
