Eiza González: A Mexican Star Shining Bright in Hollywood

Eiza González is a multifaceted Mexican actress and singer who has carved out a remarkable career in Hollywood. Born in Mexico City in 1990, Eiza’s journey from Mexican telenovelas to Hollywood blockbusters exemplifies her talent, determination, and versatility.

Eiza González was born on January 30, 1990, in Mexico City, Mexico. From a young age, she exhibited a passion for performance, taking singing, acting, and dance lessons. At just 14 years old, González landed her first significant role in the telenovela “Lola, érase una vez.” This opportunity opened the door to several other telenovela roles during her teenage years, establishing her as a rising young star in Mexico. Among her notable early credits are “Sueños y caramelos,” “Amores verdaderos,” and “Mujeres asesinas.”

Despite her success in telenovelas, González had her sights set on Hollywood. At 18, she relocated to Los Angeles to pursue her acting dreams in the United States. Her natural talent and unwavering drive quickly led to her first American role in the teen drama series “Lola: Érase una vez,” setting the stage for her eventual breakthrough in Hollywood.

Eiza González’s big break came when she was cast as Santánico Pandemonium in the TV series “From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series,” based on Robert Rodriguez’s film. This role marked her transition from Spanish-language telenovelas to English-language Hollywood productions. Initially, González had to learn her lines phonetically due to her limited English skills. Despite the challenge, her performance received praise, and she began to gain recognition in the American entertainment industry. The series ran for three seasons on Rodriguez’s El Rey Network, from 2014 to 2016, and González’s portrayal of the iconic vampire queen opened doors to more high-profile roles.

Eiza González’s mainstream success in Hollywood began in earnest in 2017 with her role as Darling in the action film “Baby Driver,” directed by Edgar Wright. Playing the female lead opposite Ansel Elgort, González portrayed a trigger-happy criminal and love interest. The film was both a critical and commercial success, grossing over $226 million worldwide. González’s performance earned her critical acclaim and solidified her status as a rising star.

 

Following “Baby Driver,” González secured significant supporting roles in major blockbuster franchises. She played the tech expert Madam M in “Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw,” alongside Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham. She also starred as Maia in the monster action film “Godzilla vs. Kong,” which grossed over $700 million globally. These roles demonstrated González’s ability to attract large audiences and established her as a bankable star.

Other notable projects during this period include “Bumblebee,” a prequel in the Transformers series, and “Bloodshot,” starring Vin Diesel. González showcased her versatility, balancing action-packed roles with more dramatic performances, and quickly became one of the most in-demand Latinx actors in Hollywood.

Eiza González’s breakout performance in “Baby Driver” earned her multiple nominations and awards. She won the Detroit Film Critics Society Breakthrough Award and was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Awards. González also received nominations from the Teen Choice Awards and Imagen Awards. These accolades affirmed her rising star power and her ability to captivate audiences with nuanced performances.

Eiza González also pursued a music career early on. At 15, she signed with EMI Televisa and released her debut album “Contracorriente” in 2009. The album, featuring pop and rock-influenced songs mostly co-written by González, peaked at #17 on the Mexican Albums Chart and was certified Gold. She released two singles from the album, “Mi Destino Soy Yo” and “Te Acordarás de Mí,” showcasing her singing and guitar-playing talents.

In 2012, González released her second and final studio album, “Te Acordarás de Mí,” which expanded on her pop-rock sound and themes of love and heartbreak. The album reached #33 on the Mexican Albums Chart, with the title track becoming her best-performing song as a musical artist. While González’s music career was relatively short, it demonstrated her vocal talent and versatility across different genres.

Eiza González began her modeling career in Mexico, landing her first job with Televisa Deportes at just 16. This opportunity led to major campaigns and fashion shows across Latin America. In 2007, González moved to New York to pursue international modeling, signing with the agency Glamour and participating in fashion weeks around the world. She modeled for prestigious designers like Chanel, Oscar de la Renta, Prada, and Roberto Cavalli.

González’s stunning looks and star power made her a sought-after brand ambassador. She has represented L’Oréal Paris as their Global Brand Ambassador and worked with brands like Bobbi Brown cosmetics, Louis Vuitton, and Michael Kors. Her notable campaigns include TV commercials for Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, and Volkswagen, and print ads for Barneys New York, True Religion, and John Frieda hair products. Her modeling career demonstrated her determination to succeed in the entertainment industry from a young age.

Eiza González is a vocal advocate for several social causes. She uses her platform to support immigrant rights, gender equality, and LGBTQ acceptance in both the United States and Mexico. González often speaks about her own experiences as an immigrant, calling for more compassionate immigration policies. In 2018, she joined the campaign Welcome.US to support new immigrants in America and partnered with the National Immigration Law Center.

Additionally, González is a strong ally of the LGBTQ community, participating in events for GLAAD and advocating for equal rights. She has also championed women’s empowerment and gender equality, mobilizing her fans to register to vote and highlighting women’s achievements.

To support these causes, González works with several nonprofit organizations, including Planned Parenthood and the Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights. She uses her platform to drive donations and volunteer efforts for these important causes.

Eiza González comes from a family of entertainers; her parents are models, and her great-grandparents were actors. She maintains a relatively private personal life but has been romantically linked to several high-profile figures over the years. She dated businessman Pepe Diaz from 2013 to 2016 and was rumored to be dating actor Liam Hemsworth in 2013. In 2016, González had a relationship with actor Josh Duhamel, and more recently, she has been dating lacrosse player Paul Rabil since 2019.

Outside of her professional life, González enjoys boxing, yoga, hiking, playing the drums, and photography. She loves animals and has three rescue dogs. González frequently visits her family in Mexico City, staying connected to her roots and speaking fondly of the culture and food from her childhood.

Eiza González has made a significant impact on Mexican representation in Hollywood. She has helped break barriers for Latinx talent and represents Mexico positively through her roles. González has several notable upcoming projects that demonstrate her range and star power. She is set to star opposite Jason Momoa in the action thriller “Ambulance” and will headline the adventure movie “I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter,” based on the bestselling YA novel.

On the television side, González will produce and star in “From Scratch,” a limited series for Netflix based on the memoir by Tembi Locke. She has also been cast in the HBO Max thriller series “Idol,” about the dark underbelly of the Latin American music industry. As one of the most in-demand Latinx talents in the entertainment industry today, Eiza González’s future looks bright, and she will continue breaking barriers and representing Mexico on the global stage for years to come.