In this week’s episode of Growing Up Latino, Dominican-American singer and actress Jackie Cruz talks about her acting and music career, Dominican slang, and the importance of family.
Cruz, who was born in New York but raised in Santiago, Dominican Republic, talked about the lack of Latino representation in Hollywood when she was growing up. “I didn’t get the role in Los Angeles because I wasn’t ‘Mexican enough,’” she says. “But then here, I play a Mexican,” she adds of her big acting gig as La Flaca on Orange is the New Black.
Jackie also opens up about the tragic accident she had at 16 that left her in a coma and unable to walk. “Latino families are so supportive,” she says. “I wanted to give up and I didn’t because of my family. Family is very important,” she adds.
The 32-year-old artist also revealed that “vaina” and “que lo que” are her favorite Dominican slang words. “When I’m in DR, you can tell I’m Dominican for sure!” she says.
Watch the full episode above.