‘Orange is the New Black’ Actress to Speak

03/03/2016 

Netflix users won’t need their TVs or laptops to gain an insider’s look at the streaming service’s most popular series.

Jackie Cruz, who plays Flaca on the critically acclaimed show “Orange is the New Black,” visits SUNY Cortland for a talk Friday, April 1.

Presented by the College’s Student Activities Board (SAB), the speaking engagement begins at 7 p.m. in the Corey Union Function Room. Cruz’s talk, which is free and open to the public, will focus on overcoming adversity. A meet-and-greet photo opportunity will follow. 

The New York City-born actress will star as a main character on “Orange is the New Black” when the fourth season of the series is released in June. The comedy-drama, which is the most watched series on Netflix, examines the relationships of inmates in a minimum-security federal prison for women. It has won many awards and accolades, including four Primetime Emmys.

Cruz has performed in a recurring role as inmate Marisol “Flaca” Gonzales since the show premiered in 2013. That year, she was tabbed as one of the “Top Latino Powerhouses Under 40” by The Hollywood Reporter along with names that included Eva Longoria, Selena Gomez and Demi Lovato. Cruz also has served as a fashion correspondent during New York Fashion Week for OK! Magazine.

In addition to acting, Cruz also sings and writes her own music both in English and Spanish. She split time between New York City, Los Angeles, Miami and the Dominican Republic during her childhood — surviving a near fatal car accident that resulted in brain surgery, a coma and a collapsed lung. 

She is slated to participate in a question-and-answer session with audience members following her talk at SUNY Cortland.

For more information, contact the College’s Campus Activities Office at 607-753-5574.