Image via Complex Original
Minorities have been winning on both the big and small screens in 2015. Whether it was Straight Outta Compton solidifying a spot as the highest-grossing music biopic, or Viola Davis’ historic Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama, there was definitely a shift in the arts. This fall, the trend continues. Hispanics are not only snagging roles in television shows and films, but directing them too. While Sofia Vergara, George Lopez, and Eva Longoria may be raking in the big bucks—and donating them too, familiarize yourself with these fresh faces this fall.
Becky G
Ethnicity: Mexican
Latest Project: Empire on FOX, Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET
On the heels of her single "Shower," Becky G has been putting in the legwork as a newcomer in the industry. While she made headlines in August for her break up with pop singer Austin Mahone, Becky G has been working to make herself a household name—in a big way.
The 18-year-old landed a guest role on Empire as Valentina, an ambitious singer who is ready for stardom by any means necessary. After gaining the nickname “Baby Cookie” on set, it's clear that Becky G can now add actress to her resume.
Earlier this month, Becky G was honored with the Inspira Award at the 2015 Hispanic Heritage Awards for using her celebrity the right way and serving as a role model to her fans. When accepting the accolade, the teenager gave a heartfelt acceptance speech: “I think everybody can see by watching the videos that I post of my music and with my family that I am so proud to be Latina and that comes off so naturally because it’s my everyday life,” she began. “The truth is that I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for my grandparents coming from Mexico to America, for their version of the American dream.”
Diego Boneta
Ethnicity: Mexican
Latest Project: Scream Queens on FOX, Tuesdays at 9 p.m. ET
Diego Boneta has already solidified his star power internationally, but he's now hoping to do the same in the states. The Mexican singer is trying his hand at television in Scream Queens, produced by American Horror Story's Ryan Murphy. Acting alongside former child stars Emma Roberts, Keke Palmer, and the original scream queen herself, Jamie Lee Curtis, Boneta is in good company.
The role of Pete Martinez in Scream Queens is Boneta’s first role on a mainstream production in two years—and the first time he’s playing a Hispanic television character. “I haven’t played anyone Latino except for in the movie Pele. But being Mexican, I’m very proud of my roots and I talk about it all the time,” Boneta told Billboard. While it doesn’t seem like Pete will be bilingual in forthcoming episodes of the comedic horror series, Boneta can assure his fans that his Mexican culture will surface through his on-screen relationship with Grace (played by Skyler Samuels).
Laia Costa
Ethnicity: Spanish
Latest Project: Victoria, in theaters now
Laia Costa stars in Victoria, a story about a Hispanic woman in Germany who meets four men who drastically change the course of her night, for the worse. Victoria’s encounter with the men becomes a thrilling goose chase, but the movie’s plot isn’t its only selling point—the entire film was shot in one take.
Costa might play a risk-taker in Victoria, but in real life she’s kept her head buried in books long enough to earn her doctorate in political science and media studies at the University of Barcelona. Having only one English-speaking role under her belt, Costa triumphed over any struggles with the language in Victoria. True to the spirit of a film with only one take, director Sebastian Schipper valued the authenticity of her interpretation of English phrases over precision. It’s all pretty phenomenal work for a breakthrough star who only began learning English three years ago.
F. Javier Gutierrez
Ethnicity: Spanish
Latest Project: Rings, in theaters Nov. 13
It’s been ten years since the last installment of The Ring franchise, but horror fans can rejoice knowing the third film is well on its way. Paramount enlisted the help of Spanish director F. Javier Gutierrez to make magic on Rings, the latest tale of a cursed videotape that kills its viewers shortly after watching. We can only assume that Rings, set in 2015, will be making the upgrade to DVD, because who owns a VCR anymore?
Trading in his law degree for the director’s chair was no easy feat, but Gutierrez has been handling the transition like a boss. Since attending film school, he has created his own production company, DR. T Producciones Cinematograficas. To date, Gutierrez has had his hand in film in the international market on two shorts and one feature film, but Rings is his most anticipated project to date, and first horror flick.
Jaina Lee Ortiz
Ethnicity: Puerto Rican
Latest Project: Rosewood on FOX, Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET
Jaina Lee Ortiz may have been raised in the Bronx, but she decided to take her talents to South Beach for her role in Rosewood. Starring alongside romantic comedy vet Morris Chestnut as Dr. Beaumont Rosewood, Ortiz plays Annalise Villa, a Miami police detective with a very competitive streak. When it comes to drawing inspiration for her role, the Puerto Rican actress doesn't have to look far—her father has been a detective for 22 years.
After touring the world as a professional salsa dancer, Ortiz headed to L.A. to pursue acting. If she looks familiar, you may have caught her on Scream Queens 2, a VH1 production seeking horror's new leading lady. After being cast in The After, a project that later folded, Rosewood is Ortiz's chance to show her acting chops. Bonus points: There is no better exposure than a show that airs just before Empire.
Cote de Pablo
Ethnicity: Chilean
Latest Project: The 33, in theaters Nov. 13
The world may know Cote de Pablo from her 8-year run on NCIS as Zita David and might even have a bone to pick with her. De Pablo abruptly exited the show, for reasons unknown, and has kept a relatively low profile since. But de Pablo is back in her first on screen appearance since the Zita David days. The Chilean actress was cast as Jessica Salgado in The 33, a film recounting the story of 33 Chilean miners who were stuck underground for 69 days.
De Pablo recalls watching the 2010 news coverage as the Chilean miners fought for their lives in an interview with Latina.com. “I was so proud at that moment to be Chilean and Latino,” the Chilean native began. “You could’ve been watching that anywhere in the world and I think a lot of people really respect [Chile]—even more so than after the earthquake. It’s remarkable how they handled it!”
Patricia Riggen
Ethnicity: Mexican
Latest Project: The 33, in Theaters Nov. 13
Patricia Riggen has a string of films under her belt, each of them creating a quiet murmur around her name as a director. That will all change this November. The 33, an account of 33 trapped Chilean miners, is panning out to be the project that will change the trajectory of Riggen’s career. After attending film school at Columbia University and producing a number of lower-budget projects, Riggen’s talent to highlight the immigrant experience is undeniable.
“When I was in college, my graduation thesis was called ‘Female Directors.’ I interviewed all of the important female directors from Mexico. There were four. That was it,” Riggen told the Directors Guild of America. Coming a long way from her graduate school days, Riggen is doing all that she can to add to the list of Mexican directors.
With The 33 slated to release just one month after the fifth anniversary of the rescue, Riggen has done it all in perfect timing. It’s only natural that the industry is predicting she may be the first Mexican woman director nominated for an Oscar.