Jaina Lee Ortiz is an acclaimed actress, dancer and producer whose career has spanned over a decade. Born Jessica Ortiz in 1986 at Ford Ord Army Base in California to first generation Puerto Rican parents, she was raised in The Bronx, New York. As a child, Ortiz trained as a salsa dancer and became a professional instructor and performer at the young age of 16.
Although her career as a salsa dancer led her to appear in minor parts, it was after she changed her name to Jaina that she booked her first national commercial. Since then, Ortiz has appeared on numerous television shows and movies such as Grey’s Anatomy, How To Get Away With Murder, Rosewood and The Rookie. In 2018 she even earned an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series for her performance in the web series Brooklyn Animal Control.
Ortiz has also ventured beind the camera as an executive producer on the 2019 pilot episode of Grey’s Anatomy: B-Team. Additionally, she often uses her platform to promote causes close to her heart such as mental health awareness, animal rights and Latinx empowerment.
Fans of Ortiz can look forward to seeing her on the small screen this fall when she stars as Detective Annalise Villa on ABC’s new drama series Station 19. This marks one of many milestones for Ortiz who has come a long way since changing her name from Jessica to Jaina back when she was just starting out in show business.
Is Jaina Ortiz of Puerto Rican Descent?
Yes, Jaina Ortiz is Puerto Rican. She was born at Fort Ord army base in California to two first-generation Puerto Rican parents, and then was raised in The Bronx, New York. As a child, she learned Salsa at a dance studio and has gone on to become an actress known for her roles in the TV series Rosewood and 9-1-1. Ortiz is proud of her Puerto Rican heritage and has described it as being a big part of who she is.
The Reason Behind Jaina Lee’s Name Change
Jaina Lee changed her name because she did not feel artistically connected to her birth name, which began with the letter J. To find a more suitable name, she looked up other names that started with the letter J and added the middle name Lee as an homage to Bruce Lee, who is her father’s favorite figure. Ironically, this decision led to her first national commercial almost immediately.
Jaina Lee Ortiz’s Racial Identity
Jaina Lee Ortiz is of Puerto Rican descent. She was born to first-generation Puerto Rican parents in 1986 at Ford Ord Army base. Her heritage has been a part of her life from the start, and she draws upon it in her professional career as an actress.
Is Jaina Lee Ortiz of White Ethnicity?
No, Jaina Lee Ortiz is not white. She was born to first generation Puerto Rican parents, and grew up learning salsa at a dance studio. Puerto Ricans are an ethnic group, with a mix of African, Spanish and Indigenous heritage. Her background is a reflection of the cultural diversity that makes up the island, and she is proud of her identity as a Latina.
Portrayal of Lt Herrera in 19
Jaina Lee Ortiz plays Lieutenant Andy Herrera on the ABC drama series Station 19. She is an intelligent and strong-willed firefighter who has been with the Station 19 crew since her introduction in the fourteenth season of Grey’s Anatomy. Her character is dedicated to protecting her fellow firefighters, living up to her role as a leader, and helping to keep their station running smoothly. Lt Herrera has proven time and again that she can handle any situation that comes her way and has shown great courage in the face of adversity.
Conclusion
Jaina Lee Ortiz is an accomplished actress, dancer and instructor who has successfully melded the two art forms throughout her career. Her love for the arts began in her childhood when she was introduced to salsa dancing and soon began performing and teaching professionally at a young age. Despite switching to acting in her mid 20s, she has continued to pursue both paths with great success, appearing in television shows such as “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Rosewood” and “Station 19”. With a strong background in dance and a growing list of acting credits, Jaina Lee Ortiz is sure to continue entertaining audiences for many years to come.
