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Latin fans have always embraced their favorite celebrities and A-List stars, especially when they have Latino ancestry. While many fan-favorite actors and singers have been rumored to be Latino at the beginning of their careers, for playing a role or for singing in Spanish, some of them have a completely different heritage. Here are some of the most famous stars that were mistaken for their descent.
Vanessa Hudgens
Vanessa Hudgens is a proud Filipino. The 34-year-old actress played Gabriella Montez in High School Musical. “Obviously, I became famous for High School Musical,” Vanessa said to Allure. “So everyone automatically assumed that I was Latina, and most people still do.”
Catherine Zeta-Jones
Catherine Zeta-Jones previously played a Spanish woman in ‘The Mask of Zorro’ and most recently Colombian criminal Griselda Blanco. However, she is far from being Latina and she is from Welsh and Irish descent. “This happens to be the third Hispanic I’ve played,” she said to ET. “I played the lead in Zorro, and I screen-tested with six Hispanic women, and I got the role. I don’t know what to say.”
Olivia Rodrigo
At the start of her career many thought Olivia was of Latin descent. However, she is a proud Filipino from her father’s side and shares German and Irish heritage from her mother’s side. “My Filipino heritage comes from my great-grandfather. He came on a boat from the Philippines when he was just a teenager,” she said during a Disney Channel segment.
Lana Del Rey
Lana Del Rey has an undying love for Latin America, even calling herself “Lanita” and including lines in Spanish in some her hit songs. Elizabeth Grant was actually born in New York City, and has previously revealed the inspiration behind her stage name. “I wanted a name I could shape the music towards. I was going to Miami quite a lot at the time, speaking a lot of Spanish with my friends from Cuba—Lana Del Rey reminded us of the glamour of the seaside. It sounded gorgeous coming off the tip of the tongue.”
Ashley Graham
Ashley Graham was rumored to be from Latin descent, with many speculating if she had Mexican or Puerto Rican heritage. However, the model has Germany and English descent. “I know I’m on this pedestal because of white privilege,” she said to New York magazine. “To not see black or Latina women as famous in my industry is crazy! I have to talk about it. I want to give those women kudos because they are the ones who paved the way for me.”
Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande previously said that her background is Sicilian and Abruzzese Italian, but this didn’t stop fans from thinking that she was from Latin American descent at the height of her career.
Maria Menounos
Maria Menounos was born in the Boston suburb of Medford, Massachusetts. She is the daughter of two Greek immigrant parents. The famous media personality and host is fluent in Greek but has no Latin American heritage.