Latinas Killed it at the 2023 Golden Globes

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

You might recognize her from "Pose", a television series that told the story of New York City’s underground ballroom community in the 1980s, where her portrayal as Blanca made her the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe in 2022 and the first trans woman to be nominated for a lead acting Emmy. Michaela, born in New Jersey to an African-American mother and a Puerto Rican father, is also an insanely talented singer, dancer, stage actor, and activist.

Rodriguez describes growing up in Newark, New Jersey, in a household full of driven individuals like herself. Her mother enrolled her in local arts programs when she was only seven years old, and when she was fourteen, she became involved in the ballroom scene, where she learned to vogue. Michaela’s widespread success and visibility are a step towards creating positive and authentic representations of transgender people in the media, creating more opportunities, and helping break down stereotypes and misinformation.

Despite not being nominated in this Golden Globes edition, she was set to present during the awards ceremony. Her appearance at the Golden Globes was a momentous occasion because of the long-awaited standing ovation delayed by COVID-19 for her historic 2022 win. We’re still clapping

Jenna Ortega

Before having us glued to our seats watching her performance as Wednesday Addams, a role for which she earned a nomination for best actress in a TV series, musical, or comedy in the 2023 Golden Globes, Jenna starred in “You,” “Jane The Virgin,” and “Richie Rich.” Her first major role was actually in the Disney Channel series “Hannah Montana” at just 6 years old.

An avid horror fan, she has now cemented herself as an iconic scream queen, starring in the slasher movie saga “X” and the revival of “Scream” in 2022. We love a spooky queen!

Born in Coachella Valley, California, Jenna is of Mexican and Puerto Rican descent and is vocal about loving her heritage. She often talks about the importance of representation and diversity in the entertainment industry and is known for using her platform to celebrate and showcase her culture along with its traditions, music, and art through her roles.

But aside from her stunning performances and unique dance moves, Jenna is a strong advocate for education and literacy. She is currently a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and since 2020, she’s been actively using her platform and voice to raise awareness on Child’s Rights and even hosted virtual events to raise money and support for UNICEF USA. Having suffered from anxiety and depression, Jenna is also an advocate for mental health and actively promotes self-care, self-acceptance, and self-love.

Mic. Drop.

Salma Hayek

Mexican-American actress, producer, and entrepreneur Salma Hayek arrived at the 2023 Golden Globes to present this year’s awards alongside her Puss in Boots costar Harvey Guillen, but not without her favorite Mexican treats Pulparindo and Mazapan De La Rosa in hand!

Salma began her acting career starring in Mexican telenovelas and later transitioned to Hollywood films, receiving her first Academy Awards nomination for her leading role in the 2002 film “Frida,” a biographical film about the life of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, which she produced herself.

A vocal advocate for Latine representation in Hollywood (which she made abundantly clear by leaning into her culture and taking her fave Mexican snacks with her), Salma is also very involved in philanthropy and activism. She established the “Salma Hayek Foundation,” which aims to improve women’s and children’s living conditions in impoverished communities, particularly in Latin America, through programs that target education, health, and violence against women.

She is also a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Development Fund for Women. She serves on the Vital Voices Global Partnership board, an organization dedicated to empowering women worldwide, and she actively advocates for Gender Equality, Education, and Women’s Rights.

Selena Gomez

Nominated for Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical, or Comedy for her performance as Mabel Mora in Hulu’s true crime satire “Only Murders in the Building,” Selena arrived at the Golden Globes as stunning as ever and brought her little sister along as her red carpet date.

Having started her career in the entertainment industry as a child actor, Selena appeared on the children’s television series “Barney & Friends”. She later starred on Disney Channel’s “Wizards of Waverly Place” as the lead character. In 2008, Gomez began her music career by forming the band Selena Gomez & the Scene, then decided to pursue a solo career in music and released her first solo album, “Stars Dance,” in 2013. In addition to her iconic work in music and TV, Gomez has also appeared in several films, including “Ramona and Beezus” (2010), “Spring Breakers” (2012), and “The Fundamentals of Caring” (2016), as well as being credited as an executive producer for many TV series.

Selena has been open about her struggles with mental health, including depression and anxiety, and has used her platform to raise awareness and break the stigma around mental health issues. She has advocated for more accessible mental health resources and partnered with organizations such as the Child Mind Institute, The Jed Foundation, and the American Heart Association to promote mental wellness.

She’s been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2009, and has worked to raise awareness and funds for the rights of children worldwide, traveling to countries such as Ghana, Nepal, and Mexico to meet with children and learn about the challenges they face and advocate for education, child protection, and clean water access. She has also advocated against bullying and supported organizations such as the Born This Way Foundation and the Cyberbullying Research Center, which work to create safe and inclusive online spaces for young people.

Selena continues using her platform and resources to bring attention to important issues, help those in need, and make the world a better place.

We absolutely stan an agent of change queen.

Ana de Armas

Ana de Armas was nominated for an award in Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture for her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in “Blonde.”

The Cuban-Spanish actress began her acting career in her home country, appearing in a number of Cuban films and television shows before transitioning to Hollywood. She made her English-language debut in the 2017 film “Hands of Stone,” in which she played a supporting role. Her role as Marta Cabrera in the 2019 film “Knives Out” (a role she almost dismissed for its reductive character description, the “pretty Latina caretaker”) is widely described as her “breakthrough role,” though her earlier performance as holographic character Joi in “Blade Runner 2049” is just as iconic.

Ana is fluent in Spanish and English and continues to work in Hollywood and Spanish-language films. She has since appeared in many high-profile films, including the blockbuster hit “No Time to Die” (2022) as a Bond girl opposite Daniel Craig and the psychological thriller “Wasp Network” (2019), directed by Olivier Assayas. She also appeared in the horror film “The Nurse” (2020).

Apart from her acting, she is also an ambassador for UNICEF and works to support the organization’s mission to protect the rights of children around the world. She has used her platform to raise awareness for the organization and its work and has traveled to visit children in need in various countries. She has helped raise funds for the fight against COVID-19, donating money, supplies, and resources to hospitals and health organizations in need, and actively advocating for the protection of natural resources and their sustainable use.

Anya Taylor-Joy

Nominated for Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy category for “The Menu,” American-Argentinian actress Anya Taylor-Joy arrived at the Golden Globes as confident and vibrant as ever.

Anya began her career in the entertainment industry in 2015 when she appeared in the independent film “The Witch.” Her performance in the film received widespread critical acclaim and helped to establish her as a rising star. Taylor-Joy then went on to star in many other films, including “Split” (2016), “Thoroughbreds” (2017), and “The Miniaturist” (2017).
In 2020 she took the lead role of Beth Harmon in “The Queen’s Gambit,” a Netflix original series that became a huge success and brought her widespread recognition and many accolades. She’s fluent in Spanish and English (which she says she learned by reading Harry Potter books), and she continues working in Hollywood and independent film projects.

In addition to her work in film, Anya Taylor-Joy has also appeared in many stage productions and has been praised for her versatility as an actress. She supports organizations such as the NSPCC, which works to protect children from abuse and neglect.

Tefi Pessoa

Brazilian-Colombian content creator from Miami, Estefania Pessoa is a viral social media star who has made a name for herself with her YouTube talk show “Tefi,” where she shares pop culture news and celebrity chismesito. She is currently the host of MTV’s YouTube competition series “Merch Masters,” in which designers produce merchandise for musicians to win a cash prize.

She is also InStyle’s official social media anchor and appears on the magazine’s TikTok channel on a regular basis. In 2021, she was named a TikTok Latinx Trailblazer as part of their Hispanic Heritage Month creative spotlight series.

She’s a welcome addition to Latinas in entertainment media.

Emily Uribe

Emily, born in California to Mexican parents, is a content creator known for her comedic skits, lip-syncs, and dance videos. She began posting on TikTok under quarantine and now has approximately 1 million followers, establishing herself as one of the platform’s most popular and trending creators. She co-hosted TikTok’s Oscars live broadcast on the red carpet in 2022 and now attends dozens of film and television premieres.

In addition to her online presence, Uribe is also known for her philanthropic work and advocacy. She has used her platform to raise awareness and funds for various charitable causes and organizations, such as breast cancer research and suicide prevention.

Although Uribe is just starting out, it’s clear we’ll be seeing much more of her. Bravo to that!