Yalitza Aparicio

Yalitza Aparicio made her film debut in "Roma," a performance that garnered her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her the first Indigenous American woman to achieve such a feat. This role also earned her the New Hollywood Award at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2018. She proceeded to enhance her career with roles in the Mexican horror film "Presencias" in 2022 and a recurring spot in the American comedy series "Los Espookys". Aparicio also starred in the Mexican anthology series "Mujeres asesinas," and co-starred in the Netflix comedy "The Great Seduction" in 2023.

As a testament to her growing influence and recognition, Aparicio graced the cover of Vogue México in January 2019 and was featured in the Vanity Fair 2019 "Hollywood Issue" cover. Her impact was further acknowledged when Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2019. That same year, she was honored with the Top Women award at the MTV Millennial Awards and the Outstanding Performance in a Film award at the National Hispanic Media Coalition Impact Awards. Aparicio's influence extended beyond film as she was featured in the music video "Plata ta tá" by Mon Laferte and Guaynaa.

In 2020, Aparicio was invited to join the esteemed Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, a clear recognition of her contributions to the film industry. Her standing was further solidified when she was listed in BBC's 100 Women of 2019. Aparicio's advocacy for Indigenous Peoples was recognized globally when she was named the UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador for Indigenous Peoples in 2019. In 2025, she was honored with the Árbol de la Vida Trailblazer Award at the GuadaLAjara Film Festival for her advocacy work in amplifying underrepresented voices and championing gender equality and Indigenous rights. Her journey from her debut to global recognition portrays her as a figure of resilience, representation, and influence in the world of film and beyond.