Jackie Cruz

Jackie Cruz is a Dominican-American actress, singer, and former model best known for her role as Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales on the hit Netflix series "Orange Is the New Black." Born in New York City in 1986, Cruz grew up between Los Angeles, the Dominican Republic, and Miami. Her career in entertainment began in her teens, but she faced significant challenges, including a period of homelessness and a serious car accident at age 17 that required brain surgery. Despite these setbacks, Cruz persevered in pursuing her dreams in both acting and music.

In addition to her breakout role on "Orange Is the New Black," Cruz has appeared in various films and TV shows. She's also pursued a music career, releasing singles and EPs. Cruz has been recognized as one of the "Top Latino Powerhouses in Hollywood Under 40" by The Hollywood Reporter and has used her platform to advocate for greater representation of Latinas in the entertainment industry.