Francia Raisa Explained

Francia Raisa
Birth Name:Francia Raisa Almendárez
Birth Date:26 July 1988
Birth Place:Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Occupation:Actress
Years Active:2004–present
Father:Renán Almendárez Coello

Francia Raisa Almendárez (born July 26, 1988[1]) is an American actress.[2] Raisa is known for her roles in , The Secret Life of the American Teenager,[3] Grown-ish, and How I Met Your Father.

Early life and education

Raisa was born in Los Angeles, California to a Mexican mother, Virginia Almendárez (née Pelayo), and Renán Almendárez Coello, a Honduran-born radio personality; and raised in Los Angeles.[4] [5] A few years after she was born, her father started using his new Latin radio personality, "El Cucuy".

Raisa attended Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, California, where she was a cheerleader.[6]

Career

Raisa began to take acting jobs in her junior year of high school, modeling for print ads and appearing in commercials. She guest-starred in the sitcoms American Family: Journey of Dreams and Over There. Raisa appeared in Lil' Romeo's music video "My Girlfriend" as Tamy in 2004 and in Iyaz's music video "So Big". A month into her senior year, she booked one of her first lead roles, starring opposite Hayden Panettiere in . She co-starred in the Nickelodeon movie Shredderman Rules, where she portrayed Isabel, and in and as Alexandra Delgado. She played the role of Adrian Lee in the hit ABC Family drama, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, from its beginning in July 2008, until the series finale in early June 2013.

In 2009, Raisa guest-starred on the USA Network's TV series In Plain Sight and co-starred in a short film directed by David Henrie called Boo, which aired on YouTube. In 2013, Raisa starred in the Christmas-themed movie Christmas Bounty alongside Mike "The Miz" Mizanin.

From 2018 to 2022, Raisa starred in the Freeform show, Grown-ish, executive produced by Black-ish creator Kenya Barris.[7] [8] She starred in the show's first four seasons, exiting upon the character's graduation at the end of the fourth season.[9] She also starred in Freeform's 2018 television film, Life-Size 2, opposite Tyra Banks.[10] [11]

In May 2021, Raisa was cast in How I Met Your Mothers spinoff series How I Met Your Father, which premiered on Hulu on January 18, 2022.[12] In February 2022, the series was renewed for a 20-episode second season.[13] In September 2023, however, it was cancelled after two seasons.[14]

Personal life

Raisa was born in Los Angeles.[15] In the summer of 2017, Raisa donated one of her kidneys to her friend, singer and actress Selena Gomez, who has lupus.[16] [17] [18] Raisa said that Gomez was told by doctors that the two were match before she was and that it was Gomez who informed her that the two were a match.[19] In 2023, Raisa shared on Instagram about her recent diagnosis with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).[20]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006LetiVideo
2007Shredderman RulesIsabel LopezTV movie
2008Alexandra "Alex" DelgadoTV movie
2009Fired Up!Marly
Boo!HerselfShort
2010BulletfaceMaria
Alexandra "Alex" DelgadoTV movie
ASD. Alma sin dueño-
2012StrainJulieShort
2013Chastity BitesKatharine
Christmas BountyTory BellTV movie
PennyTV movie
2015Beyond ParadiseShahrzad
2016GretchenTV movie
The Secrets of Emily BlairTara
Holly's GirlGirlShort
2017Dirty LiesOfficer Ramirez
Tiny House of TerrorSamTV movie
Once Upon a DateIzzy FloresTV movie
2018Life-Size 2 Grace ManningTV movie
2020Second TeamMollyShort

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2005Over ThereSawaEpisode: "The Prisoner"
2008–13Adrian LeeMain Cast
2009HerselfEpisode: "Kathy at the Apollo"
In Plain SightOlivia Moreno/Olivia MoralesEpisode: "Jailbait"
2012Erin VicklerEpisode: "Trends with Benefits"
2013WWE RawHerselfEpisode: "Episode #21.47"
MassholesHerselfEpisode: "Catfish and Coldcuts"
KatieEpisode: "Frat Party"
2014Halloween WarsHerself/Guest JudgeEpisode: "Mummies vs. Werewolves"
2016Hit the FloorRennaeRecurring Cast: Season 3
2017RosewoodLena PriceEpisode: "Mummies and Meltdowns"
Dear White PeopleVanessaRecurring Cast: Season 1
Shut EyePalm Reading GirlEpisode: "Are You Listening?"
2018Black-ishAna TorresEpisode: "Don't You Be My Neighbor"
2018–24Grown-ishAna TorresMain Cast: Season 1-4, Guest: Season 5-6
2020FlooredHerself/Guest JudgeEpisode: "Heart Attack"
2021To Tell the TruthHerself/PanelistEpisode: "Kevin Nealon, Retta and Francia Raisa"
Celebrity Family FeudHerself/Celebrity PlayerEpisode: "Episode #8.5"
The TalkHerself/Guest Co-HostRecurring Guest Co-Host: Season 11
2022Guy's Ultimate Game NightHerself/ContestantEpisode: "Pizza Guy Delivers"
Celebrity Wheel of FortuneHerself/Celebrity ContestantEpisode: "Francia Raisa, Joel Madden & Jenifer Lewis"
2022–23How I Met Your FatherValentina MoralesMain Cast
2023Play-Doh SquishedHerself/Guest JudgeEpisode: "Dinosaurs"
The $100,000 PyramidHerself/Celebrity PlayerEpisode: "Episode #6.17"

Music videos

YearTitleArtist(s)Ref.
2010"So Big"Iyaz
2013"Everybody Knows"Dustin Tavella [21]
2015"Gibberish" (feat. Hoodie Allen)MAX[22]
2020"Man"JoJo
2020"Red Sangria"Jordin Sparks

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated WorkResultRefs
2011ALMA AwardsFavorite TV Actress: Leading Role in a DramaThe Secret Life of the American Teenager[23]
2011Gracie Allen AwardsOutstanding Female Rising Star in a Drama Series or SpecialThe Secret Life of the American Teenager[24]
2012Teen Choice AwardsChoice Scene Stealer: FemaleThe Secret Life of the American Teenager[25]
2012Imagen AwardsBest Young Actress in a Television SeriesThe Secret Life of the American Teenager[26]
2016Imagen AwardsBest Actress - Feature FilmBeyond Paradise[27]
2018Imagen AwardsBest Supporting Actress - TelevisionGrown-ish[28]
2022NHMC Impact Awards GalaImpact Award for Performance in a SitcomHow I Met Your Father[29]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Raisa . Francia . Francia Raisa Official Twitter . . July 26, 2017 . March 21, 2019.
  2. News: Rodriguez. Priscilla. Exclusive: Francia Raisa Talks 'Christmas Bounty' & BFF Selena Gomez!. Latina. November 26, 2013. en. October 31, 2017. December 23, 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171223193431/http://www.latina.com/entertainment/buzz/francia-raisa-christmas-bounty-exclusive?page=1%2C2. dead.
  3. News: Hernández. Lee. Francia Raisa, mean girl of 'The Secret Life of the American Teenager'. New York Daily News. January 27, 2009. November 30, 2020. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170914220445/https://www.nydailynews.com/latino/francia-raisa-girl-secret-life-american-teenager-article-1.425124. September 14, 2017.
  4. News: Hernandez. Lee. 'The Secret Life Of The American Teenager:' Our 15 Favorite Francia Raisa Scenes (VIDEO). Huffington Post. June 11, 2012.
  5. News: Moniuszko. Sara M.. Who is Francia Raisa? 5 things to know about Selena Gomez's kidney donor. USA Today. September 14, 2017. en.
  6. News: Geragotelis. Brittany. Francia Raisa's (Not So) Secret Life. American Cheerleader. June 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20110815163609/http://www.americancheerleader.com/2011/06/francia-raisa%E2%80%99s-not-so-secret-life/. August 15, 2011.
  7. Web site: Denise. Petski . 'Grown-ish': 'Black-ish' Spinoff Adds Francia Raisa & Jordan Buhat As Regulars, Chloe x Halle To Recur. Deadline Hollywood. August 30, 2017 .
  8. Agard. Chancellor. 'Grown-ish': Francia Raisa, Jordan Buhat Join 'Black-ish' Spin-Off. Entertainment Weekly. August 30, 2017.
  9. Web site: Ausiello . Michael . grown-ish Shake-Up: 6 Original Cast Members Exiting Ahead of Season 5 . . March 24, 2022 . March 24, 2022.
  10. Web site: Denise. Petski . Francia Raisa To Co-Star Opposite Tyra Banks In 'Life Size 2' On Freeform . . July 9, 2018 . September 2, 2018.
  11. Tyra Banks reveals Francia Raisa as her costar, more Life-Size 2 plot details. Nolfi. Joey. July 9, 2018. Entertainment Weekly. August 4, 2018.
  12. Web site: Schwartz . Ryan . How I Met Your Father Gets January Premiere Date on Hulu — Watch Video . . November 17, 2021 . November 17, 2021.
  13. Web site: 'How I Met Your Father' Renewed For Season 2 At Hulu. Deadline Hollywood. Rosy. Cordero. February 15, 2022. February 15, 2022.
  14. Web site: Ben. Sherlock. Why Hulu Cancelled How I Met Your Father After Only 2 Seasons. Screen Rant. September 4, 2023. October 19, 2023.
  15. News: Sara M.. Moniuszko. Who is Francia Raisa? 5 things about the 'Grown-ish' actress you've probably seen before. USA Today. September 14, 2017. March 22, 2018. en.
  16. News: France. Lisa Respers. Selena Gomez's best friend gave her a kidney. CNN. September 15, 2017.
  17. News: Kim. Eun Kyung. Selena Gomez: Kidney transplant 'defined everything that I am right now'. The Today Show. October 31, 2017. en.
  18. News: Leanne Aciz. Stanton. Francia Raisa Talks Recovery After Selena Gomez Kidney Donation. February 17, 2018. Us Weekly. March 22, 2018. en-US.
  19. Web site: Chung • • . Gabrielle . 2023-08-02 . Francia Raísa addresses claim she was 'forced' to donate kidney to Selena Gomez . 2024-05-20 . NBC Boston . en-US.
  20. Web site: Vasquez . Ingrid . Francia Raisa Reveals Polycystic Ovary Syndrome Diagnosis: 'Still Learning How to Live with It' . 2023-08-08 . Peoplemag . en.
  21. Web site: Dustin Tavella Releases "Everybody Knows" Video Featuring Danny Trejo and Marielle Jaffe with Appearances from Selena Gomez, Francia Raisa, Samantha Droke and Baby Bash. Yaranon. Charisma. Cision PRWeb. July 15, 2013. July 30, 2020.
  22. Web site: Raisa. Fancia. Had so much fun working with these guys for @maxgschneider new video "gibberish" which will be dropping tomorrow! Thanks for having me be a part of it @maxgschneider and @laurajquinn excited for you guys to see it. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/0i133Hpg7m . 2021-12-23 . subscription. FranciaRaisa. Instagram. en. March 22, 2015.
  23. Web site: 2011 NCLR ALMA AWARDS. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140204032541/http://www.almaawards.com/pdf/2011nominees.pdf. February 4, 2014. ALMA Awards. May 16, 2023.
  24. Web site: 2011 Gracie Awards Winners . The Gracies. dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130518030324/http://www.thegracies.org/2011-grace-awards.php . May 18, 2013. May 16, 2023.
  25. News: MTV. Teen Choice Awards 2012: Complete Winners List. https://web.archive.org/web/20140907112855/http://www.mtv.com/news/1690174/teen-choice-awards-winners-list/. dead. September 7, 2014. July 22, 2012. May 16, 2023.
  26. Web site: 2012 Imagen Awards Winners & Nominees . . May 16, 2023.
  27. Web site: Nominations Announced for the 31st Annual Imagen Awards . Imagen Foundation. July 18, 2016 . May 16, 2023.
  28. Web site: 2018 Imagen Awards Winners & Nominees . . May 16, 2023.
  29. Web site: Gardner. Chris . Impact Awards to Honor George and Mayan Lopez, Colman Domingo, Francia Raisa and Yvett Merino . The Hollywood Reporter . August 31, 2022 . December 28, 2022.