Valery Ortiz

Valery Milagros Ortiz (born August 1, 1984) is a Puerto Rican-American actress. She has appeared in various television series including South of Nowhere (2005-2008), Diary of a Single Mom (2009-2011), Hit the Floor (2013-2016) and Gabby Duran & the Unsittables (2019–present). Ortiz has also appeared in films including Date Movie (2007), Dumbbells (2014) and Thriller (2018).

Valery Ortiz
Ortiz at the 2014 Alma Awards
Born
Valery Milagros Ortiz

(1984-08-01) August 1, 1984
San Juan, Puerto Rico
OccupationActress
Years active2004–present
Websitehttp://www.valeryortiz.com/

Early life

Ortiz was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico[1] and raised in Orlando, Florida.[2] Passionate to become a "ballerina" and she explored her dancing talents after receiving a scholarship to The Southern Ballet Theater Performing Art Centre in Orlando. She continued dancing but eased out of it in middle school as her interest in theatre and acting grew.[1] She worked in Orlando as an extra on the Universal Studios backlot.[3] Following in her older brother's footsteps, she was accepted into the Dr. Phillips High School performing arts magnet program.[2] After four years of study, Ortiz began working in several productions like Latins Anonymous (Orlando Fringe Festival), West Side Story as Maria, A Midsummer Night's Dream as Helena, The Vagina Monologues (Orlando Premiere) and The Edinburgh, Scotland Fringe Festival.[4]

Career

While attending the University of Central Florida for a Bachelor in Fine Arts, Ortiz was given an opportunity to work on television show Splat! as a host.[2] After the first season, a two-week[5] road trip "vacation" to Los Angeles turned into permanent relocation to Los Angeles. Ortiz quickly started working on a local television show called LATV Live as a VJ.

While working at the Hard Rock Cafe as a hostess, Ortiz was cast as in the comedy Date Movie as Jell-O, a Jennifer Lopez impersonation.[6][7] During the movie's filming, she was cast the television series South of Nowhere.[8] Shortly after, she was cast in the pilot Emily's Reason's Why Not, which was picked up and aired in 2006.[4] In 2010, she appeared on an episode of Two and a Half Men. She currently is an anchor for Si TV and E! News. Ortiz was "One of the Top 25 Latinas of 2006" from Maxim en Español.[4] For three seasons, Ortiz portrayed the role of Raquel Saldana in Hit the Floor, a scripted VH1 series that premiered May 2013.[8]

In August 2019, Disney Channel announced the premiere date for their new live-action comedy series Gabby Duran and the Unsittables with Ortiz set to star as 'Dina Duran'.[9] Ahead of the series premiere in October 2019, "Gabby Duran and the Unsittables" received an early season 2 renewal from Disney Channel.[10]

Personal life

Ortiz currently lives in Los Angeles, California. She enjoys reading, hiking, decorating, and writing.[4]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
2006 Date Movie Jell-O
2008 From a Place of Darkness Rosa
2013 2 Dead 2 Kill Donna Valens
2014 Dumbbells Missy
2019 Thriller Ms. Cruz

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2004 Nickelodeon SPLAT! Herself Co-host
2005–2008 South of Nowhere Madison Duarte Main role
2006–2007 What About Brian Roxanne 3 episodes
2006 Emily's Reasons Why Not Waitress 1 episode
2007–2009 On the Up Herself Host
2008 10 Items or Less Buck's Friend #2 1 episode
2009–2011 Diary of a Single Mom Lupe Main role
2009 Cold Case Marisol Acosta 1 episode
2010 Melissa & Joey Celeste Vega 1 episode
2010 Two and a Half Men Tracy 1 episode
2010 Gigantic Kelli 2 episodes
2010–2016 American Latino TV Herself Host
2011 In the Flow with Affion Crockett J-Lo / Kim Kardashian 2011 1 episode
2013 Cltrl.Alt.Del Catalina 1 episode
2013 Cowgirl Up Maddie Main role (season 2)
2013–2016 Hit the Floor Raquel Saldana Main role
2016 Skirtchasers Gabriella Television film
2016 Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Maria Episode: "Ghost Rider: Uprising"
2017 Switched at Birth Noelle 4 episodes
2018 Entanglement Angie unknown episodes
2018 NCIS Carrie Episode: "Dark Secrets"
2019–present Gabby Duran & the Unsittables Dina Duran Main role

References
  1. Y., Madiha (2014-05-05). "Chit Chat with Puerto Rican Actress, Singer and Dancer Valery Ortiz!". missoandfriends.com. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  2. Rodriguez, Priscilla (2014-07-21). "Valery Ortiz Talks VH1's Hit the Floor & Meeting Jennifer Lopez". latina.com. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  3. "Latin Times Media Exclusive Interview Actress Valery Ortiz". latin-times.com. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  4. "Our host: Valery Ortiz". Americanlatino.tv. Retrieved 25 August 2011.
  5. "Valery vs. Raquel". Mr DREAMZ: 6. Summer 2014. Retrieved 2014-10-16.
  6. "Valery Ortiz Joins AfterBuzz TV's 'Spotlight On' to Talk Career, Fitness and More". eurweb.com. 2014-03-14. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  7. "Femme on Fire: Valery Ortiz &#124". playboy.com. 2013-05-29. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  8. "Spotlight: Actress Valery Ortiz has all the right moves". celebzter.com. 2013-03-11. Retrieved 16 October 2014.
  9. "'Gabby Duran & The Unsittables': Disney Channel Sets Premiere Date For Live-Action Comedy Series – Update". Deadline Hollywood. August 29, 2019.
  10. "Disney Channel Gives Early Season 2 Renewal to New Comedy 'Gabby Duran' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. October 7, 2019.
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