When Jackie Cruz began playing Flaca on the first season of Orange Is the New Black, she only had a couple of lines — but she made every last word count. As OITNB became one of Netflix's most popular shows, Jackie was given the opportunity to show off more of her acting chops. And by the third season, the scene-stealing actor was made a series regular, giving fans more of the Litchfield inmate with a love for the Smiths whose hilarious one-liners had audiences in fits of laughter.
But breaking into Hollywood wasn’t easy for Jackie. When she was a teen, a severe car accident that left her in a coma. She needed brain surgery and had to relearn how to walk, a harrowing experience that made Jackie think any chance of becoming an actor was done for. Thankfully, she recovered and found herself with a new lease on life. However, even after landing her role on Orange Is the New Black, it wasn't immediately all glitz and glamour. Jackie kept her job as a cocktail waitress at a New York City nightclub during the show's first two seasons to support herself.
Years later, and now we know her as the beloved Flaca taking on an even bigger role on the latest season of OITNB. And now she's even working on her burgeoning music career. Being open about the challenges she has faced, even after rising to stardom, is important for Jackie — who also often speaks out about the lack of representation and opportunities for Latinx women in Hollywood. Teen Vogue chatted with Jackie about the new season of Orange Is the New Black, the release of her independent album Hija de Chavez, how her car accident shaped her perspective on life and the trajectory of her career, and more.
JC: This season is about starting over, everything feels new. There are a lot of power struggles between the inmates and the guards, but there are all kinds of new people in there. I can’t tell you too much about it without spoiling, but It definitely feels new. It’s also scary because its maximum security now, and we’re about to show you how people are treated in that space, and it’s not a pretty sight. It’s a little more hardcore and dark, but people are going to enjoy it.
JC: We talk about things that are powerful and important and things that need to be changed in the world, and it’s made me a bigger person. It’s also made me a better advocate and activist. I work a lot with Justice League NYC, and Carmen Perez is my mentor now.
The show changed my life, and its changed a lot of people’s lives. I get the most amazing emails, including those from LGBTQ people who watch the show and say the LGBTQ portrayals and representation helped them come out to their family and feel less alone. Our show is not just about women in prison, it’s about all women and empowerment and justice. So, I just feel really proud, and this season is different for me, and I’m excited for everyone to see.
JC: It means “daughter of Chavez,” because my legal last name is Chavez. I met my father when I was 23-years-old. He said he was disappointed in me because I didn’t finish college, and that I should find something realistic to do with my life. And I said, “To me, singing and acting is realistic. I’m going to make it, and I’m not going to use your name.”
This album is very personal. I’m Dominican-American and the album uses English and Spanish. I have a song called "Sweet 16" about a terrible car accident I had when I was 16, where I was in a coma for 72 hours, and then pretty much couldn’t remember what happened for the next few weeks. I have songs about my father, and love and loss, and all the things I’ve been through in life that I used to be afraid to talk about, but now I feel more open and free.
