The Force of Latinidad: Latine Icons in Star Wars

Graphic design showcasing the Latino actors and actresses in the Star Wars movies

Star Wars has always been more than just an epic space adventure. At its core, the franchise is a reflection of our world, borrowing heavily from our cultural inspirations and real-life struggles.


From the underdog nations in historical and current conflicts to the real-life heroes inspiring Princess Leia's iconic hair, Star Wars has always been a way for us to see ourselves reflected in a galaxy far, far away.

The Star Wars universe has evolved to reflect the changing landscape of Hollywood, with an increasing emphasis on diversity and representation that rings particularly true for Latinos, as the franchise has welcomed more and more talented Latino actors into its castin the past few years. From Pedro Pascal's magnetic performance in "The Mandalorian" to Diego Luna's emotional portrayal of Cassian Andor in "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," Latinos have become a crucial part of the Star Wars universe.

So today, we're going to celebrate in style by showcasing some of the coolest characters played by Latinos in the Star Wars universe. May the 4th be with you!


Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron

Promotional image for "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" featuring Oscar Isaac as Poe Dameron. Source: Wookieepedia

You may have caught him in his breakthrough roles in "Inside Llewyn Davis" or "Ex Machina." Still, his portrayal of the dashing Resistance pilot Poe Dameron in the Star Wars sequel trilogy made him a household name.

Whether he was leading daring missions against the First Order or trading quips with his trusty droid, BB-8, Isaac brought an undeniable energy to the role. His chemistry with his co-stars, particularly John Boyega's Finn, added an extra layer of humor and heart to the films. If the Force were looking for a pilot with swag, they couldn't have done better.

Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano

Promotional image for "Ahsoka" featuring Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano. Source: IMDB

Rosario Dawson is a multi-talented actress, producer, and activist known for her impactful performances and dedication to social and political causes. As a self-identified Afro-Latina, Dawson has used her platform to advocate for inclusivity and representation in Hollywood.

Rosario Dawson's portrayal of Ahsoka Tano in the live-action adaptation of "The Mandalorian" is nothing short of Jedi-level mastery. Her performance brings the beloved animated character to life, captivating audiences with her wit, skill, and undeniable coolness. In short, she is Ahsoka Tano come to life, and we are all here for it.

Pedro Pascal as Din Djarin

Promotional image for "The Mandalorian" featuring Pedro Pascal as Mando. Source: IMDB

Pedro Pascal is a true Renaissance man of the entertainment world. This Chilean-American actor has wowed audiences both on the big and small screens (and let's not forget the internet).

In "The Mandalorian," Pascal brought the iconic bounty hunter to life with nuance and depth, cementing his place in the Star Wars universe. But he's not just a talented actor. Pascal is also a passionate advocate for Latino representation and social justice issues. He's used his platform to speak out against the mistreatment of immigrants and has been a vocal supporter of the ongoing fight for racial equality.

Pedro Pascal has got it all - the talent, the looks, and the humor. And with all of these qualities combined, it's no surprise that he's breaking the internet every day or so. We're grateful for it, though.

Diego Luna as Cassian Andor

Promotional image for "Andor" featuring Diego Luna as Cassian Andor. Source: Wookieepedia

Diego Luna is the ultimate jack-of-all-trades, with a career as varied as his background. He got his start in Mexican soap operas, but then he completely owned the screen in "Y Tu Mamá También," "Milk," and "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story."

As Cassian Andor, Luna took us to emotional depths we didn't know existed. And he's not just an acting prodigy - Luna also directs, produces, and uses his platform for social justice. Fun fact, we’ve seen people on the internet refer to him, along with Oscar Isaac and Pedro Pascal, as the "space papi trifecta." Sounds like a cosmic dream team to us.

Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa

Still image from "Star Wars" featuring Jimmy Smits as Bail Organa. Source: Wookieepedia

Jimmy Smits is a true Hollywood OG. He's been killing it since the 80s, with memorable roles in shows like "L.A. Law" and "Sons of Anarchy." But for Star Wars fans, he's best known as Senator Bail Organa - the human who helped spark the Rebel Alliance and Princess Leia’s adoptive father.

Smits brought depth and dignity to the role, showing us why he's among the best in the biz. And it's not just acting that Smits cares about - he's also a champion for the Latino community and a big supporter of the arts.

Mercedes Varnado as Koska Reeves

Still image from "The Mandalorian" featuring Sasha Banks as Koska Reeves. Source: Wookieepedia

Mercedes Varnado, better known by her ring name Sasha Banks, is a force of nature - in and out of the ring. The California-born wrestler stole our hearts with her athleticism and charm, becoming a champ in her own right.

And now, she's showing off her acting chops as Koska Reeves in "The Mandalorian" and its spin-off. But Banks is more than just a talented performer - she's also an advocate for mental health awareness.

Adria Arjona as Bix Caleen

Promotional image for "Andor" featuring adria Arjona as Bix Caleen. Source: Wookieepedia

Adria Arjona is a star on the rise, and her background is as fascinating as her acting chops. Hailing from Puerto Rican-Guatemalan roots, Arjona started in Spanish-language productions but quickly found her footing in English-language TV and film. She's wowed us in "True Detective," "Pacific Rim: Uprising," and "Morbius" with her ability to play complex characters.

And now, she's making her way to a galaxy far, far away as Bix Caleen in the “Andor” television series, a character with a tough exterior that protects her vulnerable core. But Arjona's talents don't stop at acting - she's also an activist who uses her voice to speak up for immigrant rights and climate change.

Under The Makeup

From left to right: Lupita Nyong'o as Maz Kanata, Horatio Sanz as Mythrol and John Leguizamo as Gor Koresh. Source: Wookieepedia

Just because they're buried under layers of makeup doesn't mean aliens in the Star Wars universe aren't getting some Latinidad.

Kenyan-Mexican actress Lupita Nyong'o brought the fearsome pirate queen Maz Kanata to life via motion capture in all three Star Wars sequel trilogy films. Maz might be an alien, but Lupita's performance gave her a humanity and gravitas that we'll never forget.

Meanwhile, Chilean-American comedian Horatio Sanz added some comedic relief to The Mandalorian as Mythrol - a wanted fugitive who ended up getting carbon-frozen by Pascal's character. It might be tough to spot Horatio through all the prosthetics but trust us, he's in there!

And let's not forget about Colombian-American actor John Leguizamo, who played the boastful Abyssin alien Gor Koresh in The Mandalorian. John is a master of disguise, and his portrayal of Gor Koresh was just as memorable as any of his human roles.

So, the next time you're watching Star Wars and see an alien character that looks a little familiar, don't be surprised if you find out that there's a talented Latino actor behind the makeup.

Behind The Scenes

Robert Rodriguez speaking at the 2014 San Diego Comic Con, California. Source: Gage Skidmore

The Star Wars universe is more diverse than a space cantina, and there's a whole squad of Latinos making it happen behind the scenes. One of the biggest names on that list is Robert Rodriguez - the man who brought us the Mariachi trilogy, Sin City, and Alita: Battle Angel.

But Rodriguez's talents don't stop at the big screen. He's also a master of the small screen, having directed episodes of fan-favorite shows like Breaking Bad and, of course, The Mandalorian. And now, he's calling the shots on one of the latest Star Wars sensations, The Book of Boba Fett. As showrunner and executive producer, Rodriguez injects his unique style into the galaxy's criminal underworld.

And last not but least, the man who keeps the Star Wars ship sailing smoothly - Pablo Hidalgo. As the creative executive at LucasFilm, this Chilean-Canadian creative is the ultimate authority on all things Star Wars. From the Skywalker Saga to the latest Disney+ series, Pablo makes sure that the continuity is rock-solid across all mediums.

The Star Wars universe is a prime example of how diversity and representation can enrich a story and make it more impactful and meaningful for everyone. So let's celebrate the Latine heroes of Star Wars and keep fighting for more inclusivity in our media and beyond.

woman surrounded by colorful illustrations
Image by Sayuri Jimenez.

Nathalie Molina Niño has never been one to shy away from breaking barriers, and now, she’s focusing her attention on a new mission: demystifying corporate boardrooms for women, especially Latinas. Molina Niño is the President of Known, an asset management and financial services firm, a veteran tech entrepreneur and builder capitalist, and a board member at the iconic lingerie Brand, Hanky Panky, and others.

Like many corporate boards, Hanky Panky hadn’t publicly disclosed its board composition until recently. After the brand survived the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Molina Niño decided it was time for more women, specifically more Latinas, to know what it means to be on corporate boards.

Coincidentally, the decision to finally be more vocal about this topic aligned with the start of Hispanic Heritage Month, which served as the perfect kick-off to the work.

"Something that rarely gets talked about and I think almost gets kept opaque by design is boards,” she explains in a recent Instagram announcement. “[This Latinx Heritage Month], that’s what I’ll be talking about.” Her goal? To equip more Latinas with the knowledge they need to navigate onto for-profit boards, where they can thrive and build multi-generational wealth.

For-profit corporate boards often feel like an exclusive club. And in many ways, they are, especially for Latinas, who hold the smallest percentage of board seats in Fortune 500 companies compared to other racial groups. According to the latest report from Latino Board Monitor, while Latinos hold 4.1% of these board seats (compared to 82.5% held by white people), only 1% go to Latinas. Molina Niño, a first-generation American of Ecuadorian and Colombian descent, is part of this boardroom minority.

When asked about her experience as a Latina board member during a recent Zoom interview, she said, “It’s been lonely. There’s not a lot of Latinas on boards.” She went on to explain that even serving on boards of Latina-founded businesses gets lonely because, “A lot of the times, people who serve on their boards represent their investors and, as a result, [...] you still don’t see a lot of Latinas on those boards.”

This lack of representation drives Molina Niño’s determination to increase Latina presence in corporate boardrooms. By sharing her insights, she hopes to give Latinas a roadmap to claim their seats at the table. “If you don’t know where to go, it’s impossible to figure out how to get there,” she says.

The Road to the Boardroom

Getting onto a for-profit corporate board isn’t an overnight achievement, but it’s not an unattainable dream either. People often think you need to be a CEO or have a certain type of background, but that’s one of the biggest myths about boards in Molina Niño’s experience. What they’re really looking for is expertise — whether that’s in finance, marketing, sustainability, or even technology. If you have that expertise, you’re already an asset. It’s simply a matter of which road you should take.

Understanding what boards are and how they operate is key to unlocking opportunities. For-profit boards serve as the governing body for companies, overseeing direction and financial stability, and guiding CEOs and executives in decision-making. But Molina Niño emphasizes that not all for-profit boards are created equal.

“There are two kinds [of for-profit boards] [...]. There’s the publicly traded business board and then, on the privately held side, there are, I would argue, two types of boards [...] the traditional business board and the venture-backed business board,” explains Molina Niño. Traditional businesses are often family-owned or long-established and may only form boards to meet requirements, like securing financing or transitioning through an ESOP. Venture-backed boards, on the other hand, are typically filled by investors who hold major stakes in the company.

According to Molina Niño, understanding the difference between them is how you can create a successful strategy. With publicly traded business boards, the whole world is privy to them, so, “The way that you get in there is a little bit more transparent. Sometimes those publicly traded companies will hire a recruiter to help them find new board members,” explains Molina Niño. For private companies, on the other hand, there’s no legal requirement to make announcements. As a result, most people don’t know anything about them or their inner workings.

“Usually what happens in traditional businesses that don’t have venture-capital investments is that the Founders, Executives, or the board members, if one existed already, they usually go to their friends,” and people they deem experienced to fill board seats. In other words, it’s the founder’s decision, and that’s an entirely different approach than hiring recruiters. When it comes to venture-backed business boards, the seats on the board are filled by whichever investor writes the biggest check.

This is why an understanding of the different types of boards and acknowledgment of their own strengths is what will help Latinas define a sound strategy. Whether that’s working with a recruiter, networking and connecting with founders to build trust, or making the biggest investment.

The Path for Latinas

For Molina Niño, the key to getting more Latinas into corporate boardrooms is education. Knowing what a board looks like and how it functions is how you can position yourself to get on it. In openly talking about this, without the mystique it’s usually shrouded in, Molina Niño is providing women, especially Latinas, with invaluable insights. “If we had Latinas understanding what are the three types of for-profit boards I think that, on their own, they would be able to figure out what their best chance is and adjust their careers to make themselves more competitive,” states Molina Niño.

When asked about the impact of increased Latina representation in boardrooms, Molina Niño flips the narrative. “Boards don’t help Latinas by offering them seats; Latinas help businesses thrive by being on their boards,” she says. “The whole point of sitting on a board is that you have experience and expertise, and as Latinas, you also have some cultural experience that everyone wants. [...] At the end of the day, we [Latinas] have to realize that we have a ton to offer and we have to be selective about where we put that expertise,” she explains.

As demand for access to the Latina consumer rises, Molina Niño predicts that more Latinas will find themselves recruited into boardrooms. But she’s not content to sit back and wait for that moment. By openly sharing her journey and insights, she’s making sure other Latinas know their worth and have the tools to claim their place at the table. “I realized that quietly being on boards that helped me personally is not helping other Latinas. [...] I was lucky enough to have friends who could advise me and share their experiences, so that’s why I’m doing this,” she stated.

With Hispanic Heritage Month as the backdrop, Nathalie Molina Niño’s mission is clear: “My goal is just to give Latinas enough information so they can make a plan for how to eventually get on a board that they’re paid to be on and that will eventually help them build generational wealth.”

flags of latin american countries fly behind performers wearing culturally traditional clothing

Ever noticed how September in Latin America is just one big celebration? As we wave goodbye to summer and avoid winter as long as we can, the streets come alive with parades, music, and festivities. Many Latin American countries celebrate their freedom this month, commemorating their hard-fought battles for independence from colonial domination. Let’s dive into these significant days and understand what makes each unique.

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