Musicians launching a career in acting isn’t anything new.
In fact, it’s more common than ever, and Latin artists are no exception as they make their way to the big screen or score a role in a popular television series. Over the past four years, a handful of Latin artists — from Karol G to Bad Bunny, Maluma and Residente — have made their acting debuts.
In January, Karol G showed her acting chops for the first time on Netflix’s Griselda opposite Sofia Vergara, and Bad Bunny booked back-to-back film projects — Bullet Train and Cassandro — after making his acting debut on Netflix’s Narcos: México in 2021.
Meanwhile, Puerto Rican hitmaker Residente made his acting debut in the indie film In the Summers, which premiered earlier this year at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. The project, directed by Alessandra Lacorazza, won the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize.
As for Maluma, he starred alongside Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson in Marry Me, which was released in 2022. “As a Latino from Colombia, Medellin, who was going to think that my first movie was going to be a Hollywood movie with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez? We’re making history right now as a Latin community, and I feel very proud of being part of this big, big movement that we’re having right now,” he previously told Billboard.
A few other Latin acts, like Becky G, Leslie Grace and Lucero, who had already been part of a series or film before 2020, returned with new projects. Becky, who made her acting debut in 2017 as the Yellow Ranger in Power Rangers, had a few projects under her belt, including Good Mourning in 2022 and Blue Beetle in 2023.
Below, here are a handful of Latin artists who’ve scored major onscreen roles since 2020 (in alphabetical order):
Series: Elite (2023)
In a fitting role for the Brazilian superstar, Anitta takes centerstage in the seventh season of the Netflix series Elite as the school’s new self-defense teacher — who has a total boss and empowering attitude. Anitta’s character, Jessica, appears in four episodes throughout the season, which tackles will tackle mental health.
Series: Narcos: México (2021)
Films: Bullet Train (2022) and Cassandro (2023)
For his acting debut in 2021, Bad Bunny became Arturo “Kitty” Paez — a rich, well-connected kid who gets involved in the cartel life — for the drug-dealing drama Narcos: México on Netflix. Since, the Puerto Rican star has moved on to film where he’s starred opposite Brad Pitt in Bullet Train (2022) and Gael García Bernal in Cassandro (2023)
Film: Blue Beetle (2023)
In 2023, Becky G formed part of the DC Comics world when she joined the Latino-led cast of Blue Beetle. The Mexican-American singer, born Rebbeca Marie Gomez, portrayed Khaji-Da, an alien who controls Scarab (an ancient relic of alien biotechnology) and decides who she wants to give her superpowers. An already familiar face in Hollywood, the “MAMIII” singer also portrayed Trini Kwan (the yellow ranger) in Power Rangers (2017), Chloe in Gnome Alone (2017), Sara Reyes in A.X.L. (2018), and Apple in Good Mourning (2022), to name a few of her acting efforts.
Series: Neon (2023)
Jhayco (formerly known as Jhay Cortez) made his acting debut in Netflix’s reggaetón-inspired series Neon — an eight-episode series about ambitions, the music industry, loyalty and overcoming fears, among other life lessons for rising artists. Forming part of five of the episodes, Jhayco portrays a passionate singer-turned-magician called Javier Luna, who happens to be a “rising star” of the moment in the series. Neon also included acting cameos from Daddy Yankee, Villano Antillano, and Jon Z, to name a few.
Series: Griselda (2024)
The Colombian hitmaker made her actoral debut in Netflix’s Griselda, which released in January. In the scripted drama series, Karol trades her luscious pink hair for retro bangs to play the charming and stylish Carla, one of the many women in Griselda Blanco’s (Sofia Vergara) entourage. It’s no secret that Karol G was looking to make her way into acting. In fact, in her 2021 cover story for Billboard, the “Bichota” singer said she was already working with acting coach.
Films: In the Heights (2021) and In the Summers (2024)
In 2021, Leslie Grace made her big screen debut in In the Heights, a film directed by Jon M. Chu, adapted from Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegría Hudes’ Tony-winning Broadway musical about the dreams and struggles of the Latino community in the Washington Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. In the movie, the Domican star gave life to Nina, a young woman struggling to fit at an elite university as an Afro-Latina.
Grace, who began her musical career at the age of 16, shone so bright that she soon obtained the leading role in Batgirl, but that project was unfortunately shelved shortly after. Her most recent work is In the Summers, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where it received the Grand Jury Prize for American Drama.
Series: Gallo de Oro (2023)
“[As a child], I always thought deep down, ‘I want to be like Pedro Infante one day when I sing’. To be able to convey that to the audience, and to act and sing in a movie. It seems unbelievable, but with El Gallo de Oro, it happens a bit like that,” Lucero told Billboard Español last November, reflecting on her dual career as a singer and actress. Seamlessly navigating both realms, she embodies the fusion of acting and singing. In the ViX original, El Gallo de Oro (2023), based on Juan Rulfo’s iconic novel, she pays tribute to ranchera music, blending her roles seamlessly. Known for her versatility, Lucero has starred in telenovelas like Soy Tu Dueña (2010) and Lazos de Amor (1995), while releasing hit albums across genres, exemplifying her ability to transcend artistic boundaries and connect with diverse audiences.
Film: The Valet (2022)
Puerto Rican artist Lunay made his big-screen debut in The Valet, which aired on Hulu in 2022. Starring Eugenio Derbez, Samara Weaving, and Max Greenfield, the “Soltera” singer made a brief cameo in the comedy film as a limo driver who, as a side hustle, makes music. His scene with Derbez was also soundtracked by Lunay. “I have fans who are ready to accept me in any transition I want to make, so it makes me really want to be able to enter this world. I love to sing and act and there’s no other way. I’m truly focused on both,” he previously told Billboard.
Film: Marry Me (2022)
After multiple COVID-19 postponements, Maluma officially made his acting debut in Marry Me, a film directed by Kat Coiro, and starring Jennifer Lopez and Owen Wilson. Of his acting debut, Maluma — who also gave voice to heartthrob Mariano in Disney’s Encanto — told Billboard: “As a Latino from Colombia, Medellin, who was going to think that my first movie was going to be a Hollywood movie with Owen Wilson and Jennifer Lopez? We’re making history right now as a Latin community, and I feel very proud of being part of this big, big movement that we’re having right now.”
Series: VGLY (2023)
Corridos tumbados pioneer Natanael Cano made his on-screen debut last year as Lil Vato on HBO Max’s VGLY. The 13-episode series follows a crew of young rappers and producers on their quest to stand out in a crowded field of emerging urbano artists. Aspiring rapper- singer VGLY (Benny Emmanuel) and his friends learn how to navigate the industry the hard way. He has beef with nemesis Lil Vato (Cano) which only leads to back-and-forth diss tracks.
Film: Bad Boys For Life (2020)
In 2020, Nicky Jam joined Will Smith and Martin Lawrence for the third installment of Bad Boys. In the cop action comedy film, the singer’s character, Lorenzo “Zway-Lo” Rodriguez, becomes the perfect partner to catch criminals. “My scene is about them chasing me and shooting me with a rubber bullet, and I get a huge bump in the forehead,” the Puerto Rican artist previously told Billboard during the film’s premiere. “My supposed bump on the forehead made them laugh so much.” The following year, Nicky did the voice over of Butch Cat in Tom & Jerry.
Film: Fast & Furious 9: The Fast Saga (2021)
F9 recruited Ozuna to portray Young Santos. “We have often found great talent in the music industry to cross over into film,” actor Vin Diesel expressed on Instagram. “They are expected to leave all the accolades at the door to embrace the character with integrity… and that is exactly what Ozuna has done. Very proud of your work and role in Fast 9!” The Boricua singer first dipped his toes in the film industry in the 2018 Spanish-language comedy Qué León, and in 2021, he also made a cameo in Tom & Jerry.
Film: In the Summers (2024)
The Puerto Rican star made his acting debut in the indie film In the Summers, which premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival and won the U.S. Dramatic Grand Jury Prize. Directed by Alessandra Lacorazza, the film tells the story of sisters Violeta and Eva, who visit their father Vicente (played by Residente) every summer in New Mexico. “He creates a world of wonder but under the fun facade, he battles addiction which gradually erodes the magic, culminating in a devastating tragedy. Vicente tries to make up for the past, but wounds aren’t easily healed,” reads a description of the film. Singer-songwriter Leslie Grace is also part of the cast.
“We won best dramatic film at Sundance! I still can’t believe it… Thanks to this new family I have tattooed on my soul, brothers and sisters. The energy during the filming was so special that it is inexplicable. A crew full of latinxs who gave their all above all else. I never fucking thought about acting in my life,” the hitmaker wrote in a post on Instagram.
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