Selenis Leyva

Selenis Leyva, born and raised in The Bronx, has made a significant impact in the world of television and film. With a career spanning multiple popular series and films, Leyva is best known for her role as Gloria Mendoza on the Netflix comedy-drama series "Orange Is the New Black." Her performances have also been noted in the Disney+ series "Diary of a Future President," the NBC sitcom "Lopez vs. Lopez," and films such as "Custody," "Spider-Man: Homecoming," and "Creed III."

Aside from her standout roles in popular series and films, Leyva has shown her versatility as an actress with appearances in various TV shows. In 2015, she appeared in an episode of "Veep," followed by a recurring voice role in "DuckTales" from 2018 to 2021. Leyva also made appearances in "Dietland," "Maniac," "Murphy Brown," and "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Leyva's accomplishments extend beyond the screen. Of Cuban and Dominican descent, she has contributed to the literary world as a co-author of the book "My Sister: How One Sibling's Transition Changed Us Both" alongside her sister, Marizol, and details their journey through Marizon's transition. Her work has been recognized with a Gracie Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role - Musical or Comedy, and nominations for the Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress - Comedy (Television) for her roles in "Diary of a Future President" and "Lopez vs. Lopez."