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Jackie Cruz
Cruz at iHeartRadio Music Awards in 2019
Born	Jacqueline Chavez (1986-08-08) August 8, 1986 (age 38) Queens, New York, U.S.
Education	Alexander Hamilton High School
Occupations	Actress singer model
Years active	2007–present
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Spouse	Fernando Garcia ​(m. 2020)​
Children	2
Musical career
Genres	Pop
Instruments	Vocals
Musical artist

Jackie Cruz (born August 8, 1986) is a Dominican–American actress, singer and former model. She is known for her role as Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black.

Early life

Born Jacqueline Chavez in Queens, New York on August 8, 1986, Cruz grew up between Los Angeles, California, and Santiago, Dominican Republic. She was raised by a single mother, and she speaks fluent English and Spanish. Cruz was inspired to become an entertainer at the age of seven after watching Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard. She attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, where she was a member of the school's music academy.

At age 16, Cruz moved out of her mother's apartment and became homeless. When she was 17, she was the victim of a car accident where she suffered a collapsed lung, fell into a coma and required brain surgery. Her song "Sweet Sixteen" is based on the incident.

Music career

When Cruz was in high school, she worked with will.i.am's producers in a girl group called Krush Velvet, although the group never signed to a record label. Her debut extended play, Hollywood Gypsy, was released independently in 2010.

Cruz is a part of a band called "The Family Portrait".

Acting career

In 2009, Cruz began making appearances on the E! television series Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami. She and Kourtney Kardashian became friends after meeting in an art class, which led to further appearances on the series. In one episode, Cruz and Kardashian were filmed kissing, an incident that Kardashian later stated she was "so embarrassed" by. Although Cruz initially stated that she and Kardashian remained friends following the incident, Kardashian later stated that she "can never talk to again".

Cruz cites Rita Moreno as an acting influence.

Cruz was working as a model and a waitress at New York City restaurant Lavo before she was cast as Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Originally a recurring character for the first three seasons, it was announced in April 2015 that she would be promoted to series regular for the fourth season.

In early 2022 she filmed a starring role in the romantic comedy, "Things Like This", directed by fellow Orange Is the New Black actor, Max Talisman.

In May 2022, she wrapped filming on the horror-thriller History of Evil. Her recasting into the role wasn’t known until afterward.

In 2024, Cruz starred in the Lifetime film Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Diaz story which was based on the Steven Pladl triple murder and suicide where she portrays Alyssa Diaz.

Personal life

In 2016, Cruz told AfterEllen: "I like the person whether it's a woman—we don't like to be labeled. I'm in a relationship with a man right now, but I've liked women in the past. So I guess we don't want to be labeled. We don't really talk about it, but the actions speak louder than words, am I right? So you're seeing it. You're living it."

In August 2020, Cruz married artist Fernando Garcia. In December 2021, Cruz and Garcia announced they're expecting twins. In March 2022, Cruz announced on Instagram that she had welcomed her twins.

Discography

• Hollywood Gypsy (2010)

Singles

Filmography

Film

Television

References

1. ^ Cruz, Jackie (August 8, 2014). "Ms. Jackie Cruz on Twitter: "Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time." Jean Paul Richter #itsmybirthday #babycruz". Twitter. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
2. ^ Cruz, Jackie (August 8, 2014). "Ms. Jackie Cruz on Twitter: Loving my birthday with my soul sisters @jsancheeezy #birthdaygirl". Twitter. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
3. ^ "Jackie Cruz, model, Modelmayhem.com". Model Mayhem. Internet Brands. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
4. "'Orange Is the New Black's' Latinas – The Hollywood Reporter". The Hollywood Reporter. Prometheus Global Media. November 22, 2013. Retrieved June 17, 2015.
5. Transcript Of "Latina To Latina" Episode One With Jackie Cruz by Jenny Hollander, Apr 10 2018. Quote: "...my legal name is Jacqueline Chavez. I go by Jackie Cruz. I've changed my name 10 times throughout my career to fit in. Cruz stuck. It's a part of... deep in the family. But Chavez I never really liked."
6. interview with 'Orange Is The New Black' Stars Diane Guerrero And Jackie Cruz AccessOnline.com (Published to YouTube on Aug 5, 2019). Quote: "A lot of people don't know my real last name is Chavez."
7. ^ Valdez, Maria G. (October 24, 2013). "Latinos In The US: Jackie Cruz, 'Orange Is The New Black' Star, On Her Background, Work In NYC And Being Latina". Latin Times. Newsweek Media Group. Archived from the original on July 2, 2018.
8. ^ Erazo, Vanessa (June 24, 2014). "Jackie Cruz of 'Orange is the New Black' on Songwriting and Surviving a Crash | Film | Remezcla". Remezcla. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
9. ^ "Jackie Cruz American Singer and Songwriter Bio". JackieCruz.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved June 19, 2015.
10. Roterman, Natalie (June 18, 2015). "'OITNB' Actress Jackie Cruz Opens Up About Diversity, Dating in Hollywood And Her Character 'Flaca' [PHOTOS]". Latin Times. IBT Media. Retrieved June 20, 2015.
11. ^ Angelique (June 17, 2011). "Hollywood Gypsy: Jackie Cruz | Bitchin' Kitchen". Nadia G's Bitchin' Kitchen. Scripps Networks Interactive. Archived from the original on March 6, 2019. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
12. "iTunes – Music – Hollywood Gypsy EP by Jackie Cruz". iTunes. Apple Inc. June 20, 2015.
13. "BYT Interviews: Jackie Cruz - Brightest Young Things". January 19, 2016.
14. ^ Webber, Stephanie (June 17, 2014). "Kourtney Kardashian Once Kissed Orange Is the New Black's Jackie Cruz". Us Weekly. Wenner Media. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
15. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (April 24, 2015). "Jackie Cruz Upped To Regular as Flaca On Orange Is the New Black". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on April 25, 2015. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
16. "'Repair Shop' Outfit Ricochet Signs Damon Pattison; Netflix Australia Exit; CBC Boss; 'Things Like This' First Look; New Boss at Greek Pubcaster — Global Briefs". January 15, 2024.
17. Wiseman, Andreas (May 31, 2022). "Jackie Cruz Switches In As Co-Lead Opposite Paul Wesley In Horror 'History Of Evil'". Deadline. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
18. Acosta, Nicole (September 27, 2024). "Movie Revisits the Disturbing True Story of Man Who Impregnated His Daughter, Then Killed Her and Their Baby". People. Retrieved October 19, 2024.
19. "Jackie Cruz on bisexuality on "Orange is the New Black" and her friendship with Ruby Rose - AfterEllen". January 27, 2016.
20. "These 9 Rad Queer Women of Color Prove Representation Matters". July 21, 2016.
21. "'Orange Is the New Black' Star Jackie Cruz Marries Fernando Garcia". Entertainment Tonight. August 30, 2020.
22. Dory Jackson (December 8, 2021). "OITNB Alum Jackie Cruz Is Pregnant, Expecting Twins with Husband Fernando Garcia". People. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
23. Georgia Slater (March 23, 2022). "OITNB Alum Jackie Cruz Welcomes Twins with Husband Fernando Garcia: 'My Babies Are Everything'". People. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
24. "Nuevo Rico: Cast + Crew". Retrieved 19 March 2022.
25. "'Good Girls': Jackie Cruz To Recur On Season 3 Of NBC Series". Deadline Hollywood. 2019-09-17. Retrieved 2019-12-24.

External links

• Jackie Cruz at IMDb

• 1986 births
• Actresses from Los Angeles
• Actresses from Queens, New York
• Alexander Hamilton High School (Los Angeles) alumni
• Hispanic and Latino American female models
• Hispanic and Latino American women singers
• Hispanic and Latino American actresses
• American LGBTQ actresses
• LGBTQ Hispanic and Latino American people
• LGBTQ people from New York (state)
• American LGBTQ singers
• American LGBTQ models
• Living people
• Female models from Los Angeles
• Models from New York City
• Singers from Los Angeles
• Singers from New York City
• 21st-century American women singers
• 21st-century American LGBTQ people
• LGBTQ women singers
• LGBTQ female models