10 actresses to play Leah?

'New Moon' casting:  Who should play Leah?Turns out "High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens auditioned--or did she?--for the part of frustrated werewolf Leah Clearwater in the upcoming "Twilight" sequel "New Moon." Fans know that Leah, the only female werewolf in the tribe and Sam's former girlfriend, isn't too important at first, but becomes more central in the subsequent books "Eclipse" and "Breaking Dawn." In fact, author Stephenie Meyer has said that if she'd continue any of the characters' stories, Leah's tale would be her first choice.

But is Hudgens the fans' first choice? Could she be too much sweetness and light? Maybe, maybe not. Take a look at nine other actresses we think should be contending for the role...and then vote in our poll!Comment:  This list of 10 includes Vanessa Hudgens...eight Caucasians with enough Hispanic, Brazilian, or Filipino blood to darken their skins slightly...and half-Maori actress Keisha Castle-Hughes. What does this tell us?

Writer Denise Martin is aware enough to name actresses who look slightly more "ethnic" than average. She even names one who's legitimately indigenous (though not Native American). So she vaguely understands that someone who looks Indian should play Leah.

But Martin isn't aware enough to name any Native actresses. Not Tonantzin Carmelo, Misty Upham, Tamara Podemski, Delanna Studi, Elena Finney, Thirza Defoe, Crystle Lightning, or any others. Either she doesn't know any Native actresses or doesn't care.

I'm guessing it's the latter. To Martin, I'm guessing a good tan is the only thing that separates Natives from the rest of us. She'd never suggest a Native to play Martha Washington, Jane Austen, or Jackie Kennedy, but it's okay for a white girl to play Leah the Quileute werewolf.

Nice. This is Hollywood's racist mentality in a nutshell. We should expect as much from the studios, but why is a supposedly neutral, objective reporter taking their position?

For more on the subject, see Quileute Werewolves in Twilight.

Below:  "I'm more indigenous than Taylor Lautner or Vanessa Hudgens, but not as hot."