15 Celebrities Who Though They Don’t Look Latino, Have Hispanic Roots

There are some celebrities like Salma Hayek, Jennifer Lopez or Ricky Martin whose Latino heritage is quite obvious, either by their physical features or by their surnames. However, in the world of Hollywood there is a very large group of celebrities who have roots in countries like Mexico, Peru or Venezuela. Although they do not have characteristics that usually identify them as Hispanics, these singers and actors also have Latin blood.

O awesome.club gathered photos of 15 celebrities who have Hispanic roots, along with some details of their life stories.

The ex-vocalist of the black Eyed Peas she has commented on different occasions that she is proud to be Mexican for a part of her family, an inheritance she received from her paternal grandmother. In an interview, she said, “I am one of so many Hispanics in the United States, but many don’t know it.”

Actress Uma Thurman doesn’t look Hispanic. However, part of her roots are Latin. her mother is the model “Baby” von Schlebrügge, who was born in Mexico City after his parents moved to the country fleeing the Nazis in World War II. “Nena” lived in the country for several years before moving to Sweden. Thurman also owes his appearance to his German, Swedish and Danish ancestors.

Former Disney Channel star Annabella Avery “Bella” Thorne began her big-screen career in the romantic film Midnight Sun. The actress grew up in Florida, United States. Her mother is of Italian descent and her father, Reinaldo, was Cuban. Thorne has had to fend off critics several times for not looking Latin enough. “I know I am and I don’t think speaking Spanish or having dark hair is what makes you a Latino. I get irritated when people question. Having a 15th birthday party made me feel closer to my roots and my dad.”

It’s hard to imagine that Rory Gilmore could be Latina, but Alexis Bledel, who played this character on the show Gilmore Girls, has Hispanic genes from both sides of his family. The actress was born in Houston, Texas to a Mexican mother and Argentine father. Although she pretended not to speak fluent Spanish in one episode, Bledel commented in an interview that only Spanish was spoken in her home, so it’s her first language. Because of her blue eyes and fair skin, Alexis said most people bet she is Irish.

Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o was born in Mexico, and although she moved to Kenya when she was just one year old, she considers herself Hispanic. Her parents chose her name following the tradition of their native country of naming children after some event that took place on the day of her birth, which is why they called her Lupita (short for Guadalupe) in honor of the patron saint of Mexico City. . At age 16, she returned to the country to learn more about its culture. “I’m Mexican and Kenyan at the same time,” she declared on a red carpet. In addition, as in the case of Bella Thorne, Lupita has had to defend herself from critics who did not consider her Latina. “I see that they discuss my nationality, but I insist that I am from both countries and I love tacos with roast beef.”

Peter Hernandez, better known as Bruno Mars, was raised in Honolulu, Hawaii. His parents met in New York: his mother is from the Philippines and his father is from Puerto Rico. Bruno became the first Latino man to appear on the cover of the magazine playboy. He changed his name to avoid being typecast in the music industry. As he commented in an interview for the magazine QA“people would tell me: your last name is Hernández, maybe you should make Latin music”.

Nicole Richie was adopted when she was three years old by singer Lionel Richie and his wife. Her biological father, Peter Michael Escovedo, is a Mexican who spent time in Richie’s band, and is the brother of renowned Mexican percussionist Sheila E. In an interview with the magazine Latinshe commented that Nicole didn’t grow up speaking Spanish, but that she “knows what’s in her blood”.

Actor Frankie Muniz, best known for his successful role in the series Malcolm, was born in New Jersey, United States. His father is Puerto Rican and his mother is Italian. Frankie is his stage name and his real name is Francisco.

Mariah Carey is one of the most recognized singers today. Her father was of African American and Venezuelan descent. According to the singer-songwriter, her grandfather’s surname was Nuñez, but she changed it to Carey after emigrating to the United States to be more accepted in the artistic world and by the general public.

Howie Dorough, member of the largest boyband 90’s, was born in Florida, United States. His Latin roots come from his mother, a Puerto Rican who married an Irishman.

Model Helena Christensen conquered catwalks around the world in the 1990s. Her dazzling blue eyes and Danish features catapulted her to fame. However, most are unaware that she also has Latin blood. Her mother was born in Peru and at age 18 emigrated to Denmark. In 2009, the formerangel from Victoria’s Secret took a trip to her mother’s homeland to connect with her roots. Christensen took advantage of the adventure to take pictures of the country’s economic and environmental problems and showed his impressions in an exhibition entitled “Portraits of Peru”.

The actress, who played Mia in the franchise Fast and furious, was born in Panama City, and his mother, Maria João, is a former Brazilian model. Jordana lived in Rio de Janeiro from the age of six to 10. She speaks Portuguese and has even given interviews in our language. Her Spanish is not very good. “I went to New York at age 10. I always felt very Brazilian and, in Brazil, I felt very American. So I always felt a little out of place.”

Ryan Lochte is one of the greatest Olympic medalists in the history of swimming. He won 12 medals in three Olympics. In Brazil, he is remembered for an incident that occurred at a gas station during the Rio Olympics, when he was allegedly involved in an act of vandalism. Born in New York, he is the son of a Cuban mother and a father of German and Irish descent. The athlete spent most of his childhood and adolescence in Florida, where his father was a swimming coach.

Although she became famous after participating in the reality show jersey shore (on MTV US), in which most of the contestants were of Italian descent, Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi is actually Latina. She was born in Chile but adopted by Italian-American parents.

The actor, known for his role as Joey Donner in Ten Things I Hate About You, was an American teen heartthrob in the 1990s. Keegan played the typical American bad boy in the film, but he has a Latin side. His mother is Colombian and worked as a hairdresser.

Did you know these celebrities had Hispanic roots? Do you believe there is a stereotype about what a Latino would be in film or music? In your opinion, does the international film and music industry see Brazilians as Latinos or as a separate category?