world of television, Callie was a groundbreaking character as an openly bisexual, body-confident, Latina, kick-ass surgeon. Never pigeonholed as the token Hispanic, Callie developed into a fully fleshed out character with imperfections and all, contributing to the future development of realistic and relatable representations of LGBTQ and Latina characters in the media.
With her departure, Ramirez now has the chance to explore new roles, return to her theatre roots, or finally take a well-deserved break. Whatever she decides, we’ll always recognize her as was one of the many Latina actresses who have inspired and entertained us. So, here are the top 10 Latina ladies that have not only made significant contributions in TV and film, but also have upcoming projects we can all look forward to this year.
1.
America Ferrera
When I think of America Ferrera, the
first thing that comes to mind is her role on Disney Channel’s Gotta Kick It Up! with its positive “Si
Se Puede!” cheer. This Honduran-American actress has garnered fame as both a
film and television actress. She’s gone from starring roles in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
and Ugly Betty to her current lead
role in Superstore.
2.
Gina Rodriguez
This Puerto Rican actress plays the
titular role of Jane Villanueva on Jane
the Virgin. She’s received critical acclaim, numerous nominations, and even
won a Golden Globe Award for her performance, so it will be exciting to see her
return to the role when Season 3 premieres in the upcoming 2016-2017 season.
3.
Aubrey Plaza
Best known for her deadpan comedy-style
as April Ludgate on Parks and Recreation,
the half Puerto Rican actress Aubrey Plaza will have audiences laughing again when
her next movie Mike and Dave Need Wedding
Dates hits theatres this July.
4.
Bella Thorne
The Cuban-American actress rose to
prominence playing one of the main characters in the Disney Channel show Shake it Up. Thorne has shown her
versatility as an actress starring in both horror and comedy movies and series.
Her fans can look forward to her upcoming film Amityville: The Awakening and TV show Famous in Love.
5.
Jennifer Lopez
As one of the most recognizable names in
the entertainment world, Jennifer Lopez has undoubtedly left her mark as an
actress. From her Rom-Com films like Maid
in Manhattan to her current TV show Shades
of Blue, it seems as though this Puerto Rican actress can transition just
as easily from film to television as she can from her roles as an actress,
singer, dancer, fashion designer, and more.
6.
Eva Longoria
Mexican-American actress Eva Longoria
starred as Gabriella Solis in the award-winning comedy-drama Desperate Housewives. Since then, she
has starred in Telenovela and
currently serves as the Executive Producer for Devious Maids, two shows that feature predominantly Latino casts.
7.
Selena Gomez
Gomez, who played the sarcastic, yet
loveable Alex Russo in the hit TV show Wizards
of Waverly Place, has made the jump to the big screen. The Mexican-American
actress starred in Spring Breakers,
Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and has two more films scheduled for release
later this year, The Fundamentals of
Caring and In Dubious Battle.
8.
Sofia Vergara
The Columbian American actress stars as
the hilarious Gloria Delgado-Pritchett in the award winning show Modern Family. Although we won’t get to
see Vergara in all her Gloria glory until the show returns in Fall 2016, we can
still enjoy her other comedic work in films like Hot Pursuit and Chef.
9.
Alexis Bledel
While Alex Bledel’s father is Argentinian
and her mother is of English and Scottish descent, both of her parents grew up
in Latin America. Bledel made her television debut as the beloved Rory Gilmore
in Gilmore Girls. She will reprise
the role in the much-anticipated four-part Netflix series to be released this
year.
10.
Sara
Ramirez
Aside from her
role on Grey’s Anatomy, this
Mexican-American actress is also known for her role as The Lady of the Lake in
the musical Spamalot, for which she
won a Tony. In the future, Ramirez might return to the stage or she might even come
back home to Grey’s, hopefully one
day soon.
Right now, the
possibilities for these 10 talented Latina actresses seem endless, so I can’t
wait to see what they’ll do next. And while I wait for their new TV shows and
films, I can always just re-watch their classics.
