Gabrielle Ruiz (born December 12, 1984) is an American actress best known for playing the role of Valencia Perez on The CW musical comedy-drama series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Prior to Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, she performed in several Broadway musicals.
Early life and education Gabrielle was born to Eduardo and Sylvia Ruiz in Edinburg, Texas. Both parents are of Mexican heritage. She discovered her love of performing at a young age through dance. She was trained in dance at Melba's School of Dance and the Texas Association for Teachers of Dance. She also took vocal lessons and was part of the Texas All-State Choir. She attended public schools through high school, and graduated from Oklahoma City University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance in 2007. While in college she was a member of the American Spirit Dance Company, OCU Rhythms, numerous musicals, work-study, and the Alpha Phi women's fraternity.
Career After college, Ruiz landed various roles on both television and Broadway. Her breakthrough role was playing Valencia Perez on The CW comedy-drama series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of Hamilton, saw her perform in his musical In the Heights and referred her to the CXG show producers. On the basis of his recommendation, she got an audition and then landed the part.
Personal life On August 4, 2016, Ruiz married Philip Pisanchyn in a small private ceremony at a villa on Saint Martin. They live in New York City and occasionally Los Angeles. On April 28, 2021 she gave birth to a girl, Mercedes.
Filmography +Film roles Year Title Role Notes 2014 Sex, Love, and Salsa Maria Indie Film Award, Best Featured Actress 2024 Guns & Moses Brenda Navarro
+Television roles Year Title Role Notes 2007 One Life to Live Principal Dancer Episode #1.9956 2009 Sesame Street Singing Electrician Episode: "Y a Quest, Y Not?" 2013 Law & Order: SVU Tina Episode: "Deadly Ambition" 2015–2019 Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Valencia Perez Recurring role (season 1)Main role (seasons 2-4) 2016 Orange is the New Black Singing Inmate #2 Episode: "Power Suit" 2018 Alone Together Linda Episode: "Pop-Up" 2019 Modern Family Anne Episode: "Snapped" 2019 The Filth Frantic Shopper Episode: "Filthy Day Jobs" 2019 Better Things Herself Episode: "The Unknown" 2020 Action Nat and the Cat Bell Episode: "The Field Trip" 20202024 Star Trek: Lower Decks Lieutenant Lemonts / Ensign Castro / T'Lyn Voice, 17 episodes 2021 Mr. Mayor Emily Biyata Episode: "Dodger Day" 2021–present Spidey and His Amazing Friends Rio Morales
+Broadway/national tour roles Title Role Theater performed If/Then Featured, understudy Anne & Elena Richard Rodgers Theater Evita Featured Marquis Theater In the Heights Carla, understudy Nina & Vanessa Richard Rodgers Theater A Chorus Line Diana Morales Third National Tour
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