The Oscar is Mexican... or is it?

There is a now-legendary story that goes as follows.

In 1928, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's art director Cedric Gibbons, one of the original Academy Award members, supervised the design of the award trophy, shown above at left, by printing the design on a scroll. In need of a model for his statuette Gibbons was introduced by his future wife Dolores del Río to Mexican film director, screenwriter, and actor Emilio "El Indio" Fernández. Reluctant at first, Fernández, shown above at right, was finally convinced to pose nude to create what today is known as the "Oscar."

At left: Oscar. At right: Emilio "El Indio" Fernández.

Now comes word that the above anecdote may be just legend and not true.

Check out the blog by the Rebeldes over at Latino Rebels which examines whether or not "El Indio" was the model for the Academy Award statuette by clicking here.