Xochitl Gomez is taking over Hollywood as one of the rising stars among a new generation of multitalented performers. The 17-year-old Mexican-American actress has been sharing her talent with the world from a very young age, making her way from the small screen to the big screen, gaining major recognition for her fan-favorite character America Chavez in the 2022 Marvel film Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness.
Coming from a humble family in California, her parents recognized her talent early on and did everything they could to support her journey wholeheartedly. Introduced to theater by her mother at the age of 5, Xochitl took part in an impressive 22 musicals by age 12, shaping her acting foundation. And although she faced numerous challenges from daily auditions, Xochitl attributes her success to her mother, who eventually quit her job to support her daughter’s aspirations full time.
She has also previously mentioned her father’s meaningful support in helping her practice Spanish lines, underscoring the importance of her family’s support and sacrifices. The young star, whose name means ‘Flower’ in Nahuatl, an indigenous language of Mexico, acknowledges that without her parents’ efforts, her dream in Hollywood would not be a reality.
During a movie premiere, she said, “My mom’s tireless dedication to supporting my goals led me to this red carpet.” - Xochitl Gomez -
And while new stars come and go in the entertainment business, Xochitl has proved to have the star power to continue a successful career, achieving new milestones and entering new exciting projects, honoring her heritage and counting on the support of her mom every step of the way.
2023 has turned out to be an incredible year for Xochitl, who captivated the hearts of the viewers by showing her charisma each week, performing intricate dance routines, and giving her best throughout her time in Dancing With The Stars. The California native has used all of her skills and experience for her performances, including her martial arts training, musical theater, and her enthusiastic personality on the stage.
HOLA! had the opportunity to interview Xochitl directly at the Dancing with the Stars studio, where she shared some of her most meaningful and memorable moments, her appreciation for her dance partner Val Chmerkovskiy, and what she foresees in the near future when it comes to her acting career.
“I never thought I’d be this good of a dancer, so getting in the finale is fabulous... Being a 17-year-old and doing this show, I’ve gained a lot of respect for dancers.” - Xochitl Gomez -
Being the youngest contestant of season 32 of ‘Dancing With The Stars’ has been an incredible experience for Xochitl, proving that she has what it takes to succeed, as she continues her path to the finale and fights for a chance to win the coveted Mirror Ball trophy. But no matter the outcome, this young performer’s path to stardom is unstoppable.
On top of that, Xochitl was one of two Latinas in this season, alongside Lele Pons, collectively representing the vibrant Latin community and throughout the competition, both supported each other, fostering a bond that added an extra layer of unity to the show.
As part of this exclusive, HOLA! was granted first-hand access into the ballroom to witness a sneak peek at Xochitl and Val’s captivating performance of their Semi-Finals Samba dance. The duo took the stage to seamlessly move to the rhythm of Gloria Estefan’s hit song ‘Samba.’ This behind-the-scenes moment offered a unique glimpse into the elaborate choreography and the fun Xochitl and Val have dancing.
As this season of the popular show is coming to an end, fans will have the opportunity to watch it live today, Tuesday December 5th, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC and Disney+, with viewers in the Eastern and Central time zones being able to cast their votes via text and support their favorite stars, including Xochitl, Jason Mraz, Ariana Madix, Charity Lawson and Alyson Hannigan.
“If I could switch lives with a person for one day, it would probably be my mom just to that I could be in her shoes for one moment.” - Xochitl Gomez -
“I would tell my younger self to keep doing what you’re doing. You’re doing amazing and don’t change a thing.” - Xochitl Gomez -
Showing her unique charm and warm personality, Xochitl also shared with HOLA! some fun facts about herself, as well as some of her interests. The young actress named her top three favorite movies as ‘Honey Boy,’ ‘Mamma Mia!’ and ‘Roma,’ talked about Miley Cyrus‘ “cool style,” and looked back at her performance of Miss Hannigan in Annie, revealing that ‘Little Girls‘ is her go-to karaoke song.
In a previous exclusive interview with HOLA! Xochitl, and Val opened up about the secret to being great dancing partners. They revealed that their strong bond is built on trust, communication, and a shared passion for dance. Their connection not only shines on the dance floor but also off it, making them a force to be reckoned with in the competition.
“I’m always excited to work with a young person of influence. You know, she has a lot of young minds, young people looking at her. She is a big responsibility and also relatively new, so to be able to instill some of the things that I’ve experienced in dance and life, we became not just student and teacher but now friends and someone that I care about.” - Val Chmerkovskiy -
Xochitl’s upcoming projects include ‘Ursa Major,’ a sci-fi thriller in which she will be starring alongside Jessica Biel (The Sinner). We can’t wait to see the film and witness this Mexican-American star’s journey as she rises in Hollywood and unfolds chapters of her success.