Xochitl Gomez has revealed that a Marvel role made it harder for her to book anything else. The 20-year-old has spent almost a decade in Hollywood and even lifted the Mirrorball trophy on Dancing with the Stars at 17. On paper, that sounds like a career with every single door swinging open. Reality came with a few locked ones, and the reason is one nobody would ever want to hear.

While Marvel fans saw a superhero, casting directors apparently saw an invoice, and Gomez has the receipts on how that played out.

Xochitl Gomez says the downside of her Marvel role as America Chavez is being labeled too expensive. Gomez debuted on Raven’s Home in 2018. She led a season of The Baby-Sitters Club. At 16, she joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.

“I had a hard time getting roles because they were like, ‘She’s too expensive,’” she told Bustle.

She added that it was “a gift and a curse.”

Gomez explained to Bustle that the curse part meant missing out on indie movies she wanted to join. The franchise had perks, since fans arrive with a literal map of expectations, and studying it earns their appreciation. Scripts also changed constantly, making it hard for a 14-year-old who knew the character well to speak up. As for Avengers: Doomsday, Marvel owns the rights to her image, so a return is possible.

Agnez MO Has One Message for Marvel After ‘Reacher’ Fame Sparks Psylocke Casting Buzz

While Marvel keeps the rights to her image, Gomez keeps the rights to her calendar, now filling up with roles that have nothing to do with the multiverse.

Xochitl Gomez now voices Gabby in the animated film The Cat in the Hat, which reached theaters on November 6. America Ferrera plays her onscreen mom, Carmen, while Bill Hader voices the Cat. Gomez also plays Kira in the road trip horror Bad Influence alongside Madeleine McGraw and Jack Champion. Described as a modern Thelma & Louise fueled by female rage, the story promises a very different ride from Dr. Seuss.

Away from her growing filmography, Gomez has also kept fans guessing about her personal life. She has no confirmed romantic relationship and prefers to keep that side of her life private. Rumors linked her to Robert Irwin in late 2025, after the two danced the jive during the Dancing with the Stars 20th anniversary special. Both said they were single at the time, and the speculation eventually faded without confirmation. Hollywood may have called her too expensive, but Gomez is clearly proving she is worth every penny.

'The Cat in the Hat' Horror Trend Explained: How TikTok Turned the Character Into a Nightmare

What are your thoughts on Xochitl Gomez and her Marvel price tag? Let us know in the comments.