Jackie Cruz

Jackie Cruz

Jackie Cruz (born August 8, 1986) is a Dominican–American actress, singer and former model. She is known for her role as Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black.

Early life

Jackie Cruz

Born Jacqueline Chavez in Queens, New York on August 8, 1986, Cruz grew up between Los Angeles, California, and Santiago, Dominican Republic. She was raised by a single mother, and she speaks fluent English and Spanish. Cruz was inspired to become an entertainer at the age of seven after watching Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard. She attended Alexander Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, where she was a member of the school's music academy.

At age 16, Cruz moved out of her mother's apartment and became homeless. When she was 17, she was the victim of a car accident where she suffered a collapsed lung, fell into a coma and required brain surgery. Her song "Sweet Sixteen" is based on the incident.

Music career

Jackie Cruz

When Cruz was in high school, she worked with will.i.am's producers in a girl group called Krush Velvet, although the group never signed to a record label. Her debut extended play, Hollywood Gypsy, was released independently in 2010.

Cruz is a part of a band called "The Family Portrait".

Acting career

Jackie Cruz

In 2009, Cruz began making appearances on the E! television series Kourtney and Khloé Take Miami. She and Kourtney Kardashian became friends after meeting in an art class, which led to further appearances on the series. In one episode, Cruz and Kardashian were filmed kissing, an incident that Kardashian later stated she was "so embarrassed" by. Although Cruz initially stated that she and Kardashian remained friends following the incident, Kardashian later stated that she "can never talk to [Cruz] again".

Cruz cites Rita Moreno as an acting influence.

Cruz was working as a model and a waitress at New York City restaurant Lavo before she was cast as Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black. Originally a recurring character for the first three seasons, it was announced in April 2015 that she would be promoted to series regular for the fourth season.

In early 2022 she filmed a starring role in the romantic comedy, "Things Like This", directed by fellow Orange Is the New Black actor, Max Talisman.

In May 2022, she wrapped filming on the horror-thriller History of Evil. Her recasting into the role wasn't known until afterward.

In 2024, Cruz starred in the Lifetime film Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story which was based on the Pladl incest and murder case where she portrays Alyssa Diaz.

Personal life

Jackie Cruz

In 2016, Cruz told AfterEllen: "I like the person whether it's a woman—we don't like to be labeled. I'm in a relationship with a man right now, but I've liked women in the past. So I guess we don't want to be labeled. We don't really talk about it, but the actions speak louder than words, am I right? So you're seeing it. You're living it."

In August 2020, Cruz married artist Fernando Garcia. In December 2021, Cruz and Garcia announced they're expecting twins. In March 2022, Cruz announced on Instagram that she had welcomed twins (a girl and a boy). In February 2025, Cruz announced that she and Garcia are expecting their third child together. In October 2025, they welcomed their third child.

Discography

Singles

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Album</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2018</td><td>Don't Waste My Time (Ft. Feefa)</td><td>TBA</td></tr><tr><td>2019</td><td>Melly 16</td><td>TBA</td></tr><tr><td>La Hora Loca</td><td>TBA</td></tr></tbody></table>

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2016	13 Steps	Izar
2019	This Changes Everything	Herself	Documentary film
2020	Here After	Susan	a.k.a. Faraway Eyes
A Nice Girl Like You	Nessa Jennings
Rosa	Rosa	short film
Tremors: Shrieker Island	Freddie
2021	Lansky	Dafne
I Love Us	Ruby Ellis
Nuevo Rico	Barbie	short film; voice
Midnight in the Switchgrass	Suzanna
All the World Is Sleeping	Toaster
2022	Panama	Cynthia Benitez
Bumblebees	Cyd	short film
BOYMOM	Mom
2023	History of Evil	Alegre Dyer
2024	Blood, Beach, Betrayal	Lucia
Say a Little Prayer	Ruby Serrano
2025	Things Like This	Ava
Best Eyes	Rosa	short film; post-production
TBA	Cleveland.	Erika	Upcoming
TBA	Woozy	Gloria	Upcoming
TBA	Betty Bird Goes to War	Bee	short film; post-production

Television

<table><thead><tr><th>Year</th><th>Title</th><th>Role</th><th>Notes</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>2007</td><td>The Shield</td><td>Graciela</td><td>Episode: "The New Guy"</td></tr><tr><td>2008</td><td>My Own Worst Enemy</td><td>Mendez's Girlfriend</td><td>Episode: "Down Rio Way"</td></tr><tr><td>2009–2010</td><td>Kourtney & Khloé Take Miami</td><td>Herself</td><td>2 episodes</td></tr><tr><td>2013–2019</td><td>Orange Is the New Black</td><td>Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>2014</td><td>Unforgettable</td><td>Maria Torres</td><td>Episode: "True Identity"</td></tr><tr><td>2016</td><td>Blue Bloods</td><td>Rosa Alvarez</td><td>Episode "Blast from the Past"</td></tr><tr><td>2020</td><td>Good Girls</td><td>Rhea</td><td>Recurring role (season 3)</td></tr><tr><td>Acting for a Cause</td><td>Lady Capulet</td><td>Episode: “Romeo and Juliet”</td></tr><tr><td>2024</td><td>Husband, Father, Killer: The Alyssa Pladl Story</td><td>Alyssa Pladl</td><td>Television film</td></tr></tbody></table>