Latino Actresses Who Aren’t Afraid to Talk Politics

Hollywood has long been a platform for artists to voice their opinions on social and political issues affecting their communities. Many actresses of Latin American descent leverage their visibility to advocate for immigration reform and voting rights. These women often work with nonprofit organizations to drive civic engagement among underrepresented populations. Their activism extends beyond social media posts into direct lobbying and grassroots organizing. The following list highlights performers who consistently use their influence to champion political causes.

America Ferrera

This actress gained fame as the lead in ‘Ugly Betty’ and later starred in the blockbuster ‘Barbie’. She has been a prominent political activist for over a decade through her work with Voto Latino. Ferrera frequently campaigns for Democratic candidates and speaks at national conventions to encourage voter turnout. She also helped launch the Time’s Up legal defense fund to address sexual harassment in the workplace. Her advocacy focuses heavily on empowering young Latinos to participate in the democratic process.

Eva Longoria

Longoria became a household name with her role in ‘Desperate Housewives’ and has since moved into directing. She founded the Latino Victory Fund to increase political representation for Latinos at local and national levels. Her academic research focused on Latinas in STEM fields and their educational disparities. Longoria is a regular presence on the campaign trail and works to mobilize voters in key swing states. She uses her production company to tell stories that highlight the contributions of the Latino community.

Rosario Dawson

Dawson is known for her roles in ‘Sin City’ and the ‘Star Wars’ series ‘Ahsoka’. She co-founded Voto Latino in 2004 to engage young voters through technology and pop culture. Her activism covers a wide range of issues including environmental conservation and income inequality. She has been arrested while protesting for campaign finance reform and raising the minimum wage. Dawson remains one of the most visible political figures in the entertainment industry.

Diane Guerrero

Guerrero appeared in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and used her platform to discuss her personal experience with family separation. She wrote a memoir detailing how her parents were deported to Colombia when she was just fourteen years old. Her advocacy centers on comprehensive immigration reform and the protection of undocumented families. She works closely with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center to educate communities about their rights. Guerrero continues to speak before Congress to urge lawmakers to update outdated immigration policies.

Rita Moreno

Moreno is an EGOT winner known for her iconic performance in the 1961 version of ‘West Side Story’. She sat near Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the historic March on Washington in 1963. throughout her career she has fought against racial typecasting in Hollywood. Moreno advocates for funding the arts and preserving healthcare access for the elderly. Her long career serves as a bridge between the civil rights movement of the sixties and modern activism.

Rosie Perez

Perez burst onto the scene in ‘Do the Right Thing’ and has always been vocal about her Puerto Rican heritage. She was an activist for HIV/AIDS awareness during the height of the epidemic in the late eighties. Perez served on the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS under the Obama administration. She frequently criticizes the federal response to natural disasters affecting Puerto Rico. Her work often highlights the colonial relationship between the island and the United States.

Salma Hayek

Hayek produced and starred in ‘Frida’ which brought the life of the Mexican artist to a global audience. She co-founded Chime for Change to promote health and education for girls and women worldwide. Her humanitarian work includes successful fundraising for domestic violence shelters and earthquake relief efforts. Hayek lobbies for legislation that protects women from gender-based violence. She also speaks out about the disparity in pay between male and female actors in the industry.

Jennifer Lopez

Lopez is a global superstar who has starred in films like ‘Selena’ and ‘Hustlers’. She donated one million dollars to aid Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria devastated the island. Her political engagement includes endorsing candidates and hosting concerts to drive voter registration. Lopez uses her social media platforms to educate her massive following on the importance of midterm elections. She has also advocated for better access to capital for Latina entrepreneurs.

Zoe Saldaña 

Saldaña anchors major franchises including ‘Avatar’ and ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’. She founded the media platform BESE to reshape the cultural narrative surrounding Latinos in America. Her activism focuses on erasing the stigma around immigration and highlighting positive success stories. Saldaña works with various organizations to ensure fair counting in the US Census. She frequently discusses the importance of raising children who understand their civic responsibilities.

Gina Rodriguez

Rodriguez won a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the title character in ‘Jane the Virgin’. She established the movement known as Movement Mondays to highlight works by Latino artists. Her advocacy addresses the lack of representation for people of color in front of and behind the camera. Rodriguez uses her scholarship fund to send undocumented students to college. She actively campaigns against anti-immigrant rhetoric in media and politics.

Jessica Alba

Alba starred in ‘Fantastic Four’ before shifting her focus to entrepreneurship with The Honest Company. She lobbied Congress to reform the Toxic Substances Control Act to ensure consumer safety. Her political work intersects with environmental health and the regulation of household chemicals. Alba supports legislation that mandates clear labeling of ingredients in personal care products. She argues that safe products should be a right rather than a luxury for wealthy families.

Yalitza Aparicio

Aparicio made history as the first Indigenous woman nominated for the Best Actress Oscar for ‘Roma’. She serves as a UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Indigenous Peoples. Her platform is dedicated to fighting racism and securing labor rights for domestic workers. Aparicio speaks frequently about the discrimination faced by indigenous communities in Mexico. She advocates for the preservation of native languages and cultural traditions.

Kate del Castillo

Del Castillo is a superstar in Mexico and known internationally for ‘La Reina del Sur’. She sparked international controversy by brokering an interview between Sean Penn and drug lord El Chapo. Her political stances often criticize corruption within the Mexican government and media censorship. She became a naturalized US citizen to participate in American elections and oppose xenophobia. Del Castillo also works extensively with PETA to advocate for animal rights.

Michelle Rodriguez

Rodriguez is best known for her tough roles in the ‘Fast & Furious’ franchise. She is a staunch environmentalist who supports the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. Her activism often involves participating in campaigns to protect marine life from illegal poaching. Rodriguez speaks out about the need for green energy and reducing carbon footprints. She has also criticized the limited roles available for women in action films.

Tessa Thompson

Thompson gained recognition for her roles in ‘Creed’ and ‘Thor: Ragnarok’. She was a founding member of the Time’s Up movement to combat systemic abuse in Hollywood. Her activism includes advocating for LGBTQ rights and intersectional feminism. Thompson pushes for the inclusion of inclusion riders in film contracts to ensure diverse hiring. She uses her press tours to discuss police reform and racial justice issues.

Selena Gomez

Gomez began her career on Disney Channel and now stars in ‘Only Murders in the Building’. She executive produced the documentary series ‘Living Undocumented’ to humanize the immigration crisis. Her advocacy includes a strong focus on mental health awareness and destigmatizing therapy. Gomez allows activists to take over her social media accounts to amplify their messages. She encourages her young fanbase to register to vote through nonpartisan organizations.

Lupita Nyong’o

Nyong’o won an Academy Award for ’12 Years a Slave’ and starred in ‘Black Panther’. She advocates for wildlife conservation and is a Global Elephant Ambassador for WildAid. Her political voice often addresses colorism and beauty standards within the entertainment industry. Nyong’o wrote a children’s book to encourage self-esteem among girls of color. She speaks at international forums on the importance of protecting women from sexual harassment.

Stephanie Beatriz

Beatriz played Detective Rosa Diaz on the sitcom ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’. She is vocal about her bisexuality and advocates for greater LGBTQ visibility in media. Her political commentary often touches on the complexities of playing a police officer while supporting police reform. Beatriz works with organizations that support queer youth and mental health. She urges the industry to move beyond stereotypes when casting Latinx talent.

Melissa Fumero

Fumero starred alongside Beatriz in ‘Brooklyn Nine-Nine’ and directs television episodes. She is active with the organization Remember the Blue to support Democratic candidates in Senate races. Her social media feed serves as a hub for information on voting locations and deadlines. Fumero speaks out against family separation policies at the border. She regularly participates in phone banking events to mobilize Latino voters.

Dascha Polanco

Polanco is known for her roles in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘In the Heights’. She advocates for body positivity and challenges the fashion industry to be more inclusive. Her political interests include immigration reform and support for community health initiatives in New York. Polanco works to ensure that Afro-Latino voices are included in conversations about diversity. She emphasizes the importance of self-love as a radical political act.

Justina Machado

Machado starred in the reboot of ‘One Day at a Time’ which tackled many social issues. She advocates for the destigmatization of mental illness and the importance of therapy in Latino families. Her work supports veterans and their families through various charitable organizations. Machado speaks about the need for authentic representation of working-class families on television. She campaigns for healthcare access for underserved communities.

Judy Reyes

Reyes is known for her role as Carla on ‘Scrubs’ and later in ‘Devious Maids’. She has been a long-time advocate for the National Domestic Workers Alliance. Her activism helped push for the passage of the Domestic Workers Bill of Rights in several states. Reyes uses her platform to highlight the essential labor provided by nannies and caregivers. She argues that domestic work is the work that makes all other work possible.

Michaela Jaé Rodriguez

Rodriguez made history as the first trans woman to win a Golden Globe for her role in ‘Pose’. She advocates for the protection of trans rights and equal access to healthcare. Her political presence focuses on housing security for LGBTQ youth. Rodriguez speaks at rallies to condemn legislation that targets transgender individuals. She views her visibility in mainstream media as a necessary step toward social acceptance.

Indya Moore

Moore starred as Angel in ‘Pose’ and is a non-binary actor and model. They are a fierce advocate for the rights of trans and sex workers. Their activism often centers on decolonization and the dismantling of white supremacist structures. Moore uses social media to crowdfund for marginalized individuals in need of financial assistance. They frequently challenge corporate performative activism during Pride month.

Q’orianka Kilcher

Kilcher gained fame for her role as Pocahontas in ‘The New World’. She is a dedicated activist for indigenous rights and environmental justice. Her work led to her arrest while protesting at the White House against oil pipelines. Kilcher founded a youth organization to bring renewable energy to indigenous communities. She travels to the Amazon to support tribes fighting against deforestation.

Alicia Machado

Machado is a former Miss Universe who became an actress and television personality. She became a central figure in the 2016 election after Hillary Clinton highlighted Donald Trump’s past treatment of her. Her political activism focuses on women’s empowerment and standing up against bullying. Machado campaigned for Democrats to prevent the election of candidates with anti-woman rhetoric. She continues to speak about the psychological impact of body shaming.

María Conchita Alonso

Alonso is a Grammy-nominated singer and actress known for ‘The Running Man’. She is a vocal critic of the socialist regimes in Venezuela and Cuba. Her political activism is often aligned with conservative viewpoints regarding foreign policy. Alonso lobbies for sanctions against dictatorial governments in Latin America. She frequently appears on news programs to discuss the plight of political prisoners.

Sônia Braga

Braga is a Brazilian acting legend known for ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’. She gained attention for her protest at the Cannes Film Festival against the impeachment of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff. Her activism involves defending the artistic community from government censorship. Braga speaks out against the destruction of the Amazon rainforest. She remains a symbol of resistance for the Brazilian cultural sector.

Daniela Vega

Vega starred in the Oscar-winning Chilean film ‘A Fantastic Woman’. Her performance and visibility helped accelerate the passage of the Gender Identity Law in Chile. She advocates for the legal recognition of transgender people on official documents. Vega works to combat violence against the trans community in Latin America. She uses her international acclaim to pressure lawmakers to modernize civil rights laws.

Jenna Ortega

Ortega stars in the hit series ‘Wednesday’ and the ‘Scream’ franchise. She is a vocal supporter of Planned Parenthood and reproductive rights. Her activism includes raising funds for the families of victims of gun violence. Ortega uses her massive social media following to support Pride and LGBTQ charities. She frequently posts about the need for compassion and unity in divided times.

Rachel Zegler

Zegler won a Golden Globe for her debut in Steven Spielberg’s ‘West Side Story’. She speaks openly about racial justice and the backlash she faces as a Latina in Hollywood. Her political commentary includes support for labor unions during industry strikes. Zegler advocates for accurate casting that reflects the diversity of the real world. She uses Twitter to engage directly with fans about social issues.

Ariana DeBose

DeBose won an Academy Award for her role as Anita in ‘West Side Story’. She launched a fund to support abortion access following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Her advocacy focuses on the intersection of racial justice and queer rights. DeBose works with organizations that provide shelter for homeless LGBTQ youth. She speaks about the importance of Afro-Latina visibility in the arts.

Francia Raísa

Raísa is known for her roles in ‘Grown-ish’ and ‘How I Met Your Father’. She advocates for organ donation awareness after donating a kidney to Selena Gomez. Her political work involves encouraging young Latinos to register and vote. Raísa speaks out against the deportation of Dreamers and supports the DACA program. She visits high schools to talk about civic engagement and health education.

Melissa Barrera

Barrera starred in ‘In the Heights’ and the recent ‘Scream’ films. She was dropped from a major franchise due to her vocal social media posts regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict. Her willingness to lose work over her political convictions made global headlines. Barrera continues to post about humanitarian crises and the rights of displaced people. She asserts that silence is not an option when witnessing injustice.

Eiza González

González has appeared in action films like ‘Baby Driver’ and ‘Ambulance’. She speaks out about the humanitarian crisis at the US-Mexico border. Her activism involves visiting shelters to support migrant women and children. González criticizes the stereotypes that Mexican women face in the entertainment industry. She uses her platform to call for humane treatment of asylum seekers.

Selenis Leyva

Leyva played Gloria Mendoza in ‘Orange Is the New Black’. She is a passionate advocate for the LGBTQ community and supports her transgender sister. Her work involves educating families on how to support trans youth. Leyva works with anti-bullying organizations to create safe spaces in schools. She speaks about the intersection of race and gender identity.

Isabella Gómez

Gómez gained recognition for her role in the sitcom ‘One Day at a Time’. She advocates for inclusive language and the representation of the LGBTQ community. Her political interests include fighting against legislation that restricts the rights of queer people. Gómez participates in panels discussing the importance of non-binary and pansexual visibility. She encourages her fans to support local diversity initiatives.

Cristela Alonzo

Alonzo was the first Latina to create and star in her own network sitcom ‘Cristela’. She focuses her activism on immigration and the rights of the working class. Alonzo works with organizations like the Special Olympics and advocacy groups for farmworkers. She frequently visits border communities to provide legal information and supplies. Her stand-up comedy often integrates political commentary on poverty and the American Dream.

Ana de Armas

De Armas is an Academy Award nominee for her role in ‘Blonde’. While often private, she has spoken out about the political situation in her native Cuba. Her activism includes supporting the San Isidro Movement of artists fighting censorship. De Armas raises awareness about the shortage of medicine and food on the island. She uses her global fame to keep international attention on the struggles of the Cuban people.

Aubrey Plaza

Plaza is famous for her role in ‘Parks and Recreation’ and ‘The White Lotus’. She has used award show appearances to make statements about the political status of Puerto Rico. Her advocacy includes supporting fundraising efforts for hurricane recovery on the island. Plaza satirizes political absurdity while drawing attention to serious issues. She supports independent cinema as a means of free expression.

Share your favorite performance by these activists in the comments.