Jacqueline Chavez (Jackie Cruz) 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.
Years active: 2007-present
Born: August 8, 1986, 38 years old and 3 months, Queens, New York, United States
Sun Sign: Leo
Hair Color: Dark Brown
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Height: 5 ft 9 in / 175 cm
Measurement: 37-24-36 inches (94-61-91 cm)
Bra size: 34DD US / 75E EU
Genre: Pop
Instruments: Vocals
Education
Jackie studied at the Hamilton Music Academy.
Early life
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 [Cruz] again”.
Cruz cites Rita Moreno as an acting influence.
Cruz was working as a model and a waitress at New York City 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 May 2022, she wrapped filming on the horror-thriller History of Evil. Her recasting into the role wasn’t known until afterward.
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.
As a Singer
Jackie released her first EP independently in 2010 called Hollywood Gypsy.
First Film
Jackie made her first theatrical movie appearance in the drama film 13 Steps in 2016. She played the character Izar.
First TV Show
In 2007, Jackie made her television show debut as Graciela in drama series The Shield.
Jackie Cruz Favorite Things
Artist – Elvis Presley, Etta James, Tracy Chapman, Elvis Costello, and Fiona Apple
Make-up Products – Chantecaille Le Stylo Ultra Slim Liquid Eyeliner, MAC matte lipsticks, Living Luminizer by RMS beauty
Skincare Product – Virtual Medspa by Theresa Pinson
Eatery – Sake Bar Decibel
Selena Gomez Song – Como La Flor
Jackie Cruz Facts
She is bi-lingual and can speak English and Spanish fluently.
Her celebrity crush is Johnny Depp.
Although she was born in New York, she was primarily raised in the Dominican Republic and California.
She worked as a waitress in a restaurant in New York City called Lavo when she was a recurring character on Orange Is the New Black. The extensive and long hours of shooting eventually got her fired.
Jackie is a TEDx speaker.
She was not a regular cast member on Orange is the New Black until the 4th season.
She decided to choose acting as her profession at the age of 7 after she saw Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard.
Jackie mother left her education to be a doctor mid-way to help Jackie relocate and pursue her dream of being an actress.
She had a car accident when her friend was trying to race with another car which left her in a coma for 72 hours.
Jackie has two pet dogs named Elvis and Picasso, who have their own Instagram pages.
She is a member of the band Crosby Street and was previously part of an all-girl band called Krush Velvet.
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Last Updated on 8 months by Erotica Pleasure