Hollywood has long loved great stories, but it has not always given Latinos and Hispanics the chance to tell their own. Now, that’s changing. Even though representation is still a long way from being fair (Latinos constitute nearly 20% of the U.S. population, but the main roles they get account for less than 5%), a new generation of talent refuses to stereotype characters. They are producing movies that are selling like hotcakes, influencing culture, and showing that Hollywood’s future is going to be far more multi, ethnic than its past. Here are 10 Latina and Hispanic actresses whose work is undoubtedly making this change very clear.
10. Camila Mendes
Camila Mendes initially turned heads on Riverdale, playing Veronica Lodge, adding smarts and nuance to a character that might have otherwise been a trope. With Brazilian heritage and an increasing number of film credits, she’s making room for Latina actresses to be more than sidekicks; rather, they can be the center of the universe.
9. Rachel Zegler
From West Side Story to The Hunger Games prequel to Disney’s Snow White, Rachel Zegler is reshaping the look of a Latina leading lady in Hollywood. At age 22, she’s not only making history but demonstrating audiences crave new voices at the helm.
8. Francia Raisa
Francia Raisa has established a consistent career on TV fixtures such as The Secret Life of the American Teenager and How I Met Your Father. Off camera, the Mexican-Honduran actress leverages her platform to advocate for women’s health and immigration issues, demonstrating that impact doesn’t cease once cameras stop rolling.
7. Leslie Grace Martínez
A model, actress, and singer, Leslie Grace dazzled in In the Heights and made headlines when she was cast as Batgirl. Although that film never materialized, Grace keeps climbing, illustrating how Afro-Latina talent is crucial to Hollywood’s future.
6. Gregory Diaz IV
Gregory Diaz IV is someone to keep an eye on. A seasoned Broadway performer who brought his craft to In the Heights and Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, this up-and-coming Puerto Rican actor is breaking doors open for Latinos in areas where they’ve historically been ignored.
5. Alexa Demie
On HBO’s Euphoria, Alexa Demie’s Maddy Perez was an instant icon. Brazen, multilayered, and indelible, Demie shows that Latina actresses can set the tone in pop culture as easily as on screen.
4. Selena Gomez
From child star to international powerhouse, Selena Gomez has done it all, acting, singing, producing, and even starting her own beauty line. Along the way, she’s been an advocate for mental health and social justice, demonstrating the full range of what Latina leadership can be in Hollywood.
3. Ariana Greenblatt
At 16, Ariana Greenblatt has already built a résumé most actors can only fantasize about: Marvel, Barbie, and Star Wars. Her early success portends a future in which young Latinas are allowed to be heroes, not sidekicks.
2. Xolo Maridueña
Following Cobra Kai, Xolo Maridueña broke barriers as Blue Beetle, starring in the first Latino superhero live-action movie. He’s vociferous about shattering stereotypes and demonstrating the diversity of Latino experiences on screen.
1. Jenna Ortega
Jenna Ortega is the “it” girl of Hollywood today. From You to Scream to Wednesday on Netflix, even earning an Emmy nod, she’s demonstrated that a Latina actress can own TV, film, and popular culture simultaneously.
These actors aren’t merely surfing Hollywood’s tide, de they’re remaking it. By defying boundaries and portraying richer, truer stories, they’re making the next generation of Latinos on film and television not need to struggle so hard to see themselves represented.