In The Community
Catalina Creel in Cuna de Lobos
María Rubio's portrayal of Catalina Creel in "Cuna de Lobos” is nothing short of iconic. With her fake innocence and murderous schemes, Catalina proves that even a visually impaired woman can be a master manipulator. She'll have you on the edge of your seat, wondering what devilish plan she'll come up with next.
Soraya Montenegro in María la del Barrio
If you haven't heard of Soraya Montenegro, where have you been? Itatí Cantoral's over-the-top portrayal of this diva villainess in "María la del Barrio" is the stuff of legends. From her dramatic slaps to her iconic "maldita lisiada" catchphrase, Soraya has undoubtedly graced us with the most iconic telenovela moments (and GiFs) of all time.
María Fernández Acuña de San Román in La Madrastra
Victoria Ruffo takes the cake as the ultimate wicked stepmother in "La Madrastra." This woman stops at nothing to ruin her stepdaughter's life. Ruffo's performance will leave you with a burning desire to shake some sense into her character. Kudos to Ruffo for making us feel so passionately about hating her!
Rubí Pérez Ochoa in Rubí
Barbara Mori's Rubí in the aptly named telenovela "Rubí" is a real gem among villains. This seductive and ambitious character will claw her way to success, leaving a trail of broken hearts and shattered dreams in her wake. Mori's portrayal is as dazzling as Rubí's craving for wealth and power.
Paola Bracho in La Usurpadora
Meet the ultimate telenovela twins, Paola and Paulina, played by Gabriela Spanic. But it's Paola Bracho, the conniving sister, who steals the show in "La Usurpadora." Spanic's performance is a masterclass in villainy, and you won't be able to resist shouting, "You go, girl!" while she plots her wicked schemes.
Teresa Chávez in Teresa
Angelique Boyer, in her portrayal of the eponymous Teresa Chávez in "Teresa," brings to life a character who is cunning, manipulative, and ruthlessly ambitious. Teresa's relentless pursuit of wealth and power, regardless of the emotional cost to those around her, makes her one of the most riveting villainesses on the small screen.
Angélica Santibañez in Marimar
As Marimar's haughty and bitter aunt-in-law, Angélica takes pleasure in belittling the innocent and unsuspecting Marimar. Chantal Andere brings an unforgettable cruel edge to her character, delivering each insult and scornful smirk with a relish that makes her role as the villainess utterly captivating.
Patricia Fernández in Yo Soy Betty, La Fea
Oh, Patricia Fernández, you conniving beauty! Played to perfection by Lorna Cepeda in "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea," Patricia is the kind of character we all love to despise. As Betty's office nemesis, she stirs up trouble with a glamorous smile on her face and an insatiable ambition in her heart. Patricia's endless attempts to rise through the ranks, often at the expense of others, makes her a villain we can't wait to see brought down to earth!
Malvina Morantes in María Mercedes
The ruthless Malvina Morantes, masterfully portrayed by Laura Zapata in "María Mercedes," is the epitome of an evil, heartless villain. Malvina's disdain for María and her relentless attempts to make her life a living hell make our blood boil. Zapata's performance will leave you shouting at your screen as she effortlessly embodies the wickedness of her character.
Tamara de la Colina in El privilegio de amar
Cynthia Klitbo's Tamara de la Colina in "El privilegio de amar" is a villainess that sends shivers down our spines. Tamara is a manipulative and relentless character, always scheming to get what she wants no matter who she hurts along the way. Her cold-heartedness and devious plots make her a standout villain.
These telenovela villains are the crème de la crème of wickedness, the cream in our coffee, the habanero in our salsa. They make us yell at the screen, gasp in disbelief, and secretly root for their downfall. These ten characters, brought to life by talented actors, have left an indelible mark on the telenovela landscape. So, the next time you find yourself captivated by a villain's evil plot, remember to appreciate the brilliance and charm that these actors bring to the dark side of the telenovela world!
Danielle Perez
Danielle Perez, the self-described “fat b*tch in a wheelchair,” had a very interesting entry into the comedy world. It all started in 2015 when she went viral for winning a treadmill on the game show “The Price Is Right” and turning an awkward situation into a funny one. Her viral moment got her invited onto “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” and she made the most out of the momentum. Today, she’s a stand-up comedian, actress, and writer and one of the few Afro-Latinas in the space.
Photo by Danielle Perez on Instagram
Marcella Arguello
Marcella Arguello is towering over the comedy world at 6’2” and she’s made a name for herself as the self-described “humorous Amazon.” Her comedy shines a light on themes like Latino identity, gender, and race, and she’s known for being witty on the spot - don’t think you can heckle Arguello - her roasts are legendary. Marcella’s comedic timing and punchlines will always get you, you can count on that. As a Latina stand-up comedian, actress, and writer, she’s one of the few Latinas leading the charge in the scene.
Photo by Marcella Arguello on Instagram
Joanna Hausmann
Known for her ranty approach to comedy, Venezuelan-American comedian Joanna Hausmann rose to fame due to her viral sketch comedy videos on YouTube and her time on the Univision show “Flama.” She’s also a talented TV writer who has worked with HBO Max and Disney, an actress and accredited voice actress. Joanna is mostly known for her sketch comedy and for exploring themes like culture, language, politics, and dual identity. Currently, she has a podcast called “Hyphenated” with co-host Jenny Lorenzo, another well-known Latina comedian.
Photo by Osvaldo Ponton on Instagram
Cristela Alonzo
There’s making a mark, and then there's Cristela Alonzo, a Mexican-American trailblazer. She made history as the first Latina woman to create, produce, write, and star in her own sitcom, “Cristela,” on ABC. She also has a Netflix special, “Lower Classy,” where she hilariously explores themes like Latino stereotypes and her mother’s tough-love approach to parenting, among other things. Crisela is multi-faceted as a stand-up comedian, actress, writer, and producer, so it’s exciting to see what she will do next.
Photo by Christopher M. Morales on Instagram
Melissa Villaseñor
Melissa Villaseñor might look familiar to you because she worked on “Saturday Night Live” from 2016 to 2022, where she delivered hilarious impressions. Melissa is another Mexican-American making waves in the comedy scene not only with her wide range of impressions but also with her stand-up comedy, acting skills, and singing. She’s also a talented illustrator, so Melissa is quite a well-rounded artist with a lot of creativity beyond comedy.
Photo by Robyn Von Swank on Instagram
Sasha Merci
Hailing from the Bronx and based in Los Angeles, this second-generation Dominican-American has grown in popularity due to her sketches. She posts mostly on Instagram, and her funny takes and jokes have gone viral several times. Sasha is also a stand-up comedian, writer, actress, and digital creator. She’s a great example of what can happen when you follow your dreams, a message she’s passionate about sharing with her audience.
Photo by Sasha Merci on Instagram
Aida Rodriguez
Aida Rodriguez is a survivor with a sense of humor. She’s known for her poignant comedy and she came into the spotlight in 2014 as a top ten finalist in the NBC show “Last Comic Standing.” Of Puerto Rican and Dominican descent, Aida has made a name for herself in the comedy scene through her stand-up comedy. With her debut comedy special “Fighting Words,” she made history as the first Latina to appear in two specials airing in one month on both HBO Max and Showtime. She’s also an actress, writer, producer, podcaster, and now author, with her book “Legitimate Kid,” a collection of essays exploring how to turn pain and difficulty into laughter.
Photo by Aida Rodriguez on Instagram
Jenny Lorenzo
Jenny Lorenzo is part actress, part comedian, and total Cubana. She rose to popularity due to her “Abuela” character on YouTube and hilarious sketches, which she continues making to this day. This character is inspired by her Cuban heritage, and Lorenzo delivers the character with total relatability, which is why it resonates so much with Latino audiences of all nationalities, not just Cuban. Jenny is also an actress, voice actress, writer, and producer. As mentioned earlier, she’s also the co-host of the “Hyphenated” podcast with Joanna Hausmann.
The next time you need a good laugh, be sure to check out the content these talented Latina comedians share with the world. The laughter is guaranteed!
Photo by Nick Rasmussen on Instagram
For Latinos, this influence has often been one-sided, with popular media frequently portraying this community within a narrow and mostly negative scope. The rise of narco dramas, as exemplified by shows like “Griselda,” “Narcos,” “El Chapo,” and “Queen of the South,” among others, has raised significant concerns about the way Latinos are represented in popular culture. For Latinos, this influence has often been one-sided, with popular media frequently portraying us within a narrow scope. The rise of narco dramas that often glorify drug cartels, as exemplified by shows like "Narcos," "Breaking Bad," "El Chapo," and "Queen of the South," has raised significant concerns about the way Latinos are represented in popular culture.
Narcos: Mexico (2018)www.imdb.com
While these kinds of narratives do portray one very small aspect of reality, they do so at the expense of other dominant aspects of Latino culture. Instead of getting far more interesting, multi-faceted, and complex stories that highlight the Latino community, the public is stuck with stories emphasizing violence, crime, and lawlessness.
The Rise of Narco Culture in Media
Since the release of "Narcos" on Netflix in 2015, the world has seen a rise in narco-related dramas. These series, while dramatic and engaging, often focus on the most dangerous elements of Latino societies, presenting a skewed perception of Latin America as a haven for crime and corruption. Such depictions have a tangible impact on public perception, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and feeding into prejudices against Latinos.
The portrayal of Latino characters, specifically males, in these series, predominantly centers around the 'macho' narco, exhibiting hyper-masculinity and often engaging in violent, criminal behavior. This representation reinforces the stereotype of the violent, dangerous Latino man, contributing to a distorted view that alienates and stigmatizes Latino communities.
Narcos (2015)www.imdb.com
This skewed representation in popular media has contributed to the shaping of the Latino image in the global psyche, often leading to harmful consequences. For example, research has shown that such portrayals can influence policies, such as immigration laws, where Latino immigrants are more likely to be seen as a threat. Who can forget when former Rep. Steve King (R) argued during his opposition to the DREAM Act and said about undocumented immigrants, "For everyone who's a valedictorian, there's another 100 out there that weigh 130 pounds, and they’ve got calves the size of cantaloupes because they're hauling 75 pounds of marijuana across the desert."
The Role of Latina Women in Narco Dramas
Interestingly, narco dramas also present an intriguing portrayal of Latina women. Shows like “Queen of the South,” and “Griselda” depict Latina women as powerful figures within the narco world as well. They are shown as strong, intelligent, and fiercely independent, often rising to leadership positions in a male-dominated world, and even surpassing their male counterparts.
While this portrayal, in some ways, challenges traditional gender roles and norms, it also raises concerns because it adds to the limitation of how diverse communities are portrayed in the media. With shows about Latino criminals constantly at the forefront, it often feels like the only portrayal of Latinidad most of the world is exposed to is crime-ridden and violent.
Griselda (2024)www.imdb.com
Additionally, the representation of Latina women as sensual femme fatales plays into another harmful stereotype of hyper-sexualization. While these characters are often portrayed as empowered, their sexualization can limit their representation to their physical attributes and appeal, thereby reducing the complexity of their characters.
The feminist argument is also often employed to defend putting women in these roles by declaring them powerful and independent. However, these harmful narco roles actually undermine what true feminism actually is. What feminism is not, is violent, greedy, and power-hungry. An empowered female character isn’t a feminist when all they have done is put a woman in a role defined by toxic masculinity.
While crime dramas with Latino figures can serve as a way to explore positive characteristics like resilience, grit, passion, and a desire for a better life, the fact that these human endeavors and attributes are explored in the context of crime and drugs, muddies the waters. We continue to await a time when Hollywood dares to explore the Latino experience outside of that context and a time when people will demand an expansive view of Latino culture being placed in front of them.
Toward a More Balanced Representation
It continues to be clear that a more balanced portrayal of Latinos in the media is not only necessary but also long overdue. Latinos are doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, and so much more. These narratives deserve to be told and celebrated. Shows like "The Lincoln Lawyer," "On My Block," and "Gentefied," among others, have made strides in showcasing the multi-dimensional nature of Latino lives, highlighting the richness of their culture, struggles, and triumphs.
American Latinos are more than the roles that have been scripted by white studio executives and showrunners. It’s not the first time, or the last time, that the harm these stereotypes cause will be called out, but what is clear, is that the calls to tell authentic and accurate Latino stories continue to get louder.
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