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Mónica Cruz
Cruz in 2010
Born	Mónica Cruz Sánchez (1977-03-16) 16 March 1977 (age 47) Alcobendas, Spain
Occupation(s)	Actress, dancer, model
Years active	1999–present
Children	1
Relatives	Penélope Cruz (sister)

Mónica Cruz Sánchez (born 16 March 1977) is a Spanish actress and dancer. She is the younger sister of actress Penélope Cruz. She has appeared in the films The Inquiry (2006), Last Hour (2008), Jerry Cotton (2010) and Iron Cross (2011).

Early life

Mónica Cruz was born in the working-class town of Alcobendas, Madrid, Spain, the daughter of Encarna Sánchez, a hairdresser, and Eduardo Cruz (d. 2015), a retailer and auto mechanic. Throughout her childhood, she lived in Alcobendas. She is the middle child of three; older sister Penélope is an actress, and younger brother Eduardo (born 1986) is a singer. Her parents divorced in 1999, and her father remarried Carmen Moreno in 2003. Moreno gave birth to a girl, Salma Cruz, on 24 February 2012. Penélope and Mónica distinguished themselves as promising young dancers and both received professional training; Penélope attended Spain's National Conservatory while Mónica enrolled in The Royal Academy of Dance to study traditional ballet and flamenco.

Career

Upon graduating from the academy, Cruz joined Joaquín Cortés' flamenco dance company. She stayed with the company for seven years until, in 2002, she left dancing to pursue a career in acting. In 2005, she starred in the Spanish television show Un Paso Adelante alongside Beatriz Luengo, Miguel Ángel Muñoz, Pablo Puyol and Silvia Marty. She portrayed Tabitha in the historical drama film The Inquiry (2006). Cruz landed the role of Detective Rosa Mulero in the crime drama film Last Hour (2008) alongside DMX and Paul Sorvino. She also appeared in films Asterix at the Olympic Games (2008), All Inclusive (2008), Jerry Cotton (2010) and Iron Cross (2011).

In 2010, her sister Penélope was pregnant while filming scenes for Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides. Towards the latter half of shooting, her pregnancy was quite apparent, so the filmmakers devised creative methods of shooting around it. Due to her strong resemblance to Penélope, Cruz was hired to stand-in for the wider-angle footage, while Penélope was featured in the close up shots, where her visage was most discernable. In 2012, she appeared in a television commercial for the video game New Super Mario Bros. 2.

In 2017, Cruz appeared in the music video for British band Jamiroquai's "Cloud 9" from their album Automaton. She also took part in Spanish television series Velvet Colección, where she plays Carmela Cortés, a gypsy flamenco dancer. She shot the second season at the end of 2018. In 2021, Cruz had a guest role as Irene in the Spanish comedy television series La que se avecina.

In 2022, she portrayed Silvia Jáuregui in UPA Next, a reboot of the Spanish musical drama series Un paso adelante.

Fashion and modelling

In 2007, Cruz and her sister designed a 25-piece Urban and Evening wear collection for Spanish clothing retailer Mango. The sisters have previously designed a collection of jewelry and handbags for Japanese fashion house Samantha Thavasa. Cruz and her sister created two collections for Swiss retailer Charles Vögele in 2010 and 2011. The Spring/Summer 2011 collection, titled "Biaggini Violett" became available in Europe and included denim shorts, striped tops, blazers and dresses. The pair teamed up again 2013 to design a lingerie line titled L'Agent for British lingerie retailer Agent Provocateur. She also modelled for Agent Provocateur's Autumn/Winter 2012–13 campaign. In November 2012, the sisters signed a three-year endorsement deal with Spanish luxury fashion house Loewe, and appeared in advertising campaigns and designed a handbag for the brand. In 2018, she launched a jewellery collection titled "Rock Star" for Majorica. Part of the proceeds from sales of the Rock Star collection benefited the Fero Foundation, a private foundation that helps the development of cancer research.

In September 2023, Penélope Cruz announced on Instagram, that she has designed a capsule collection for Geox with Mónica Cruz. The collection was released for Spring/Summer 2024 season.

Cruz has graced the cover of several international fashion magazines, including Mexico's Cosmopolitan and Vanidades; Spain's Elle, Mujerhoy, Women's Health and Glamour and Holland's L'Officiel. In July 2019, Cruz was a cover girl and guest editor for Baszari Journal's Haute Summer Special issue. She has appeared in advertisements for Betsson, Nescafe, Gabriella Vivaldi, TechnoMarine, Once, Hokana sunglasses, Majorica jewelry and Kypers eyewear.

Personal life

She gave birth to her only child, Antonella Cruz Sánchez, on 14 May 2013. Her daughter was conceived via artificial insemination and has no legal father.

Cruz loves flamenco dancing, saying "dancing is my first passion. It teaches a wonderful discipline and that discipline stays with you. My sister and I talk all the time about how much it has helped us."

Filmography

Awards and nominations

References

1. Oraá, María Salas (21 October 2018). "Mónica Cruz: "Mi hermana, mi madre y yo hemos vivido en un matriarcado"". El País (in Spanish). ISSN 1134-6582. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
2. "Penelope Cruz's Father Died: Eduardo Cruz Dies at 62 | PEOPLE.com".
3. "Penelope Cruz Biography (1974-)". Filmreference.com. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
4. "The Rising Star of Penelope Cruz". CBS News. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
5. de Vries, Hilary (9 June 2013). "Penelope Cruz: Will She Say I Do, or I Don't". Marie Claire. Archived from the original on 13 November 2013. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
6. "Sister Act". Peoplemag. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
7. "Penelope Cruz's sister born after father welcomes little girl with second wife Carmen Moreno". hellomagazine.com. 29 February 2012. Archived from the original on 2 February 2014. Retrieved 6 September 2013.
8. Nintendo 3DS – Penelope Cruz and Monica Cruz have a bet over New Super Mario Bros 2, archived from the original on 21 December 2021, retrieved 15 August 2019
9. "New Super Mario Bros. 2 Penélope & Mónica Cruz TV ad – Nintendo Everything". nintendoeverything.com. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
10. ^ "UPA Next". canneseries.com (in French). Retrieved 20 June 2023.
11. "Penelope & Monica Cruz for Mango". Trendland Online Magazine Curating the Web since 2006. 27 February 2009. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
12. "SNEAK PEEK: Penelope Cruz's Latest Mango Ads". Peoplemag. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
13. "Penélope Cruz". Diversity Woman. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
14. "Samantha Thavasa Handbags Presentation from Party Pics: Global". E! Online. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
15. "Penelope and Monica Cruz's Second Collection for Charles Vogele". InStyle.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2019. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
16. "Penelope and Monica Cruz for Charles Vögele Spring/Summer 2011". Hairstyles – Fashion Trends – Makeup Tips. 15 March 2011. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
17. ^ Karmali, Sarah (August 2013). "Underneath Their Clothes: The Cruz Sisters' Lingerie". British Vogue. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
18. Berry, Allison. "Penelope and Monica Cruz to Launch Lingerie Line with Agent Provocateur". Time. ISSN 0040-781X. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
19. "Penelope & Monica Cruz Agent Provocateur Line". Peoplemag. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
20. Hayes, Martha (19 September 2015). "Penélope Cruz: 'I love Spain, but I feel like a citizen of the world'". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
21. Scoble, Roger (6 July 2013). "Penelope and Monica Cruz Designing Handbags for Loewe". Pursuitist. Retrieved 11 September 2021.
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24. "Instagram post". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
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26. "Cover of L'Officiel Netherlands with Monica Cruz, December 2008 (ID:1197)| Magazines | The FMD". The FMD – FashionModelDirectory.com. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
27. "Mónica Cruz on Instagram: "#Repost @baszarishop with @repostapp ・・・ Happy Friday! Baszari Journal Haute Summer Special is here! Honored to have @monicacruzoficial as…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
28. "Mónica Cruz on Instagram: "Feliz de poder presentaros mi nueva colaboración con la familia @betsson_es #vamosapasarlobien 😍"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
29. "Nescafe Shakissimo Campaign with Monica Cruz". Valero Rioja Photography (in Spanish). Retrieved 17 August 2019.
30. "Monica Cruz for Gabriella Vivaldi", BRATZ Magazines, 21 March 2010, retrieved 17 August 2019
31. France, Zakka. "TechnoMarine – "Monica Cruz"". www.adforum.com. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
32. "Monica Cruz, Penelope Cruz's sister and lookalike". Getty Images. 15 March 2018. Retrieved 17 August 2019.
33. "Mónica Cruz on Instagram: "Llega mayo, llega el sol y yo siempre preparada gracias a @hokanasunglasses ☀❤ #MesDeLasFlores #May #TribuHokana"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
34. "Majorica 1890 on Instagram: "¡Menos es más!.⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ …⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Sé la más #dulce y #femenina con la colección Nuada. #Minimalista y #discreta, se convertirá en una de…"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
35. "Mónica Cruz on Instagram: "han visto la última colección de gafas de sol de @kypers_eyewear? Yo me he enamorado del modelo #Guanter 😎😍 feliz finde a todos! 💃🏻🏖"". Instagram. Archived from the original on 24 December 2021. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
36. Colino (17 October 2007). "Penélope y Mónica Cruz presentan su nueva colección de bolsos Samantha Thavasa". Trendencias (in Spanish). Retrieved 27 January 2023.
37. "Penélope Cruz". 21 February 2020. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
38. "Underneath Their Clothes: The Cruz Sisters' Lingerie". British Vogue. 1 August 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
39. "Stuart Vevers' Parting Gift For Loewe". British Vogue. 1 July 2013. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
40. "Majorica Women's Mónica Cruz Gold Plated & Faux Pearl Small Heart Bracelet Pearl". Editorialist. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
41. "The Brands: Geox is collaborating with Penélope Cruz and names a new CEO". the-spin-off.com. Retrieved 5 April 2024.
42. ESME (16 March 2016). "Monica Cruz: Single Mother by Choice". ESME. Retrieved 16 July 2019.
43. Voxxi, Voxxi (24 May 2013). "Monica Cruz Welcomes Baby Girl". HuffPost. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
44. ^ ESME (15 March 2016). "Monica Cruz: Single Mother by Choice". ESME. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
45. "Penelope Cruz's Sister Monica Cruz Pregnant Using Artificial Insemination". Peoplemag. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
46. Álvarez, Inés (13 May 2023). "Muñoz, Luengo y Cruz: «No vuelve 'Un paso adelante', llega 'UPA Next'". elperiodico (in Spanish). Retrieved 20 June 2023.
47. "Las reinas de 'Drag Race España' versionarán 'El Mago de Oz', este domingo en ATRESplayer PREMIUM". Premium.atresplayer.com (in Spanish). Retrieved 23 May 2022.

External links

• Mónica Cruz at IMDb 

• 1977 births
• Living people
• 21st-century Spanish actresses
• Actresses from the Community of Madrid
• People from Alcobendas
• Spanish female dancers
• Spanish film actresses
• Spanish television actresses
• Spanish women fashion designers
• Spanish fashion designers