Justina Machado has been captivating audiences since her debut in the 1993 ABC Afterschool Special “Love Hurts.” With her undeniable talent and determination, she has risen through the Hollywood ranks, most recently starring in the critically acclaimed show “One Day at a Time.” But there’s more to this talented actress than meets the eye. Here are ten things you didn’t know about Justina Machado.
1. Chicago’s Pride and Joy
Born and raised in the Windy City, Justina’s parents moved to Chicago from Puerto Rico. She frequently mentions her hometown with pride, and although she moved to LA with one of her brothers, most of her family still resides in Chicago. The transition from the cold winters of Chicago to the sunny warmth of southern California must have been quite the change for her.
2. A Passion for Dance
Like many actors, Justina was active in theater as a child and developed a lifelong passion for performing. She even took dance classes at Franklin Fine Arts Center for a while. Although dance didn’t hold her attention, she left home to pursue her theatrical dreams. Who knows, maybe we’ll see her on a future episode of Dancing With the Stars.
3. Award-Winning Performances
From 2001-2005, Justina starred in the critically acclaimed show “Six Feet Under” as Vanessa Diaz. Her performance earned her a SAG “Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series” award, along with numerous other accolades, including a FilmOut Festival award for Best Supporting Actress in “Pedro” and five Imagen nominations (with two wins).
4. An Impressive Filmography
Justina’s extensive filmography, featuring over fifteen movies and numerous TV shows, is a testament to her talent and hard work. She has been consistently working on set or stage since 1996, reaping the rewards of her dedication to her craft.
5. Family Ties
Although Justina isn’t married, she has been rumored to be dating award-winning producer, writer, and actor Emanuel Gironi since 2015. She doesn’t have any children, but she does have a large family, with one brother living with her in LA and the rest of her family residing in Chicago. Growing up in a household with five kids must have been quite the experience.
6. Not a Fan of Improv
Despite her extensive theater background, Justina isn’t a fan of improv. She respects and admires actors who can excel at it, but it’s not her style. In an interview with the Chicago Tribune, she recalled a challenging moment when Sean Penn started improvising without notice, and she had to keep up. Her ability to adapt landed her a role in the movie ‘In the Electric Mist’ with Tommy Lee Jones.
7. A Love for Theater
Although most of her work is now on film, Justina has continued to perform in stage shows, with her most recent appearance in 2010. She credits her time with the Latino Theater company in Chicago for her success, as it helped her land jobs in NYC and eventually led to more prominent Hollywood roles.
8. A Humble Beginning
Contrary to the glamorous image of actresses on the red carpet, Justina didn’t grow up in luxury. Her family moved several times before she was ten, with her mother always seeking cheaper housing to provide more for her children after paying rent.
9. Quinceanera Misadventures
Many young Latinas cherish their quinceanera as a memorable coming-of-age celebration. However, Justina’s experience was quite different. After convincing her family to throw her a quinceanera, she realized she didn’t fully understand the event’s significance beyond the dress and party. In hindsight, she described the experience as “really lame.”
10. Breaking Stereotypes
Justina has built her career on portraying characters that defy racial stereotypes often faced by Latina actresses. She refuses to pander to offensive, dated, and minimizing scripts and is proud to present a more realistic and positive image for young women to look up to.
Final Thoughts
Justina Machado’s talent and levelheadedness continue to impress us. As we learn more about her as a person, our admiration for her as an actress only grows. If you know any fun facts we missed, feel free to share them in the comments section below.
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