It is currently National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15th-Oct.15th), a time to recognize the great contributions that have been made by the Latin community. I myself am Hispanic, where my ethnic background consists of being Puerto Rican and Mexican. Being able to embrace and share my culture with others has always made me proud of who I am and the identity that I present to the rest of the world. While a majority of Americans are familiar with the extremely large Hispanic population in the United States, not very many people know about the Puerto Rican population that have such a big representation, especially when it comes to music and entertainment.
1. Jennifer Lopez (a.k.a JLo)
Born in The Bronx, New York, this actress, dancer, and singer was born to full Puerto Rican parents. Mostly known for her musical career and dancing, JLo has become one of the best entertainers in the music industry.
2. Lin Manuel-Miranda
Also known as the creator of the hit Broadway musical 'Hamilton.' Miranda was born to Puerto Rican parents and grew up in the Latino neighborhood of Inwood in Manhattan, New York.
3. Victoria Justice
This Nickelodeon actress and singer is best known for her role as Lola on the hit TV show 'Zoey 101' and as Tori on 'Victorious.' Although Justice's father is of German, Irish, and English descent, her mother has Puerto Rican background within her ancestry.
4. Ricky Martin
Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico singer and actor Ricky Martin, most commonly known for his hit song "Livin' La Vida Loca," a song that gained him enormous success with the English-speaking community, has also remained an iconic entertainer to the Latin community.
5. Marc Anthony
Born in New York City, New York to Puerto Rican parents, Marc Anthony is one of the most successful Salsa artists of all time.
6. Bruno Mars
Known for his chart-topping pop hits, Bruno Mars, born as Peter Gene Hernandez to a half Puerto Rican father and a mother of half Jewish descent, has gained massive success within the music industry.
7. Rosario Dawson
Best known for her role as Mimi in the movie musical 'Rent,' Dawson was born to a mother of Puerto Rican and Cuban Ancestry.
8. Freddie Prinze Jr.
Best known for his movie roles in the slasher thriller 'I know What You Did Last Summer' and the live-action version of 'Scooby Doo,' Prinze's Hispanic background mostly comes from his paternal grandmother, of whom was Puerto Rican.
9. Adrienne Bailon
The singer-songwriter and actress was born to a Puerto Rican mother and Ecuadorian father. She became famously known from her role as one of 'The Cheetah Girls,' an all girl group created by Disney that had appeared in an original Disney Channel movie of the same name.
10. Sonia Sotomayor
Also known as the first Hispanic woman to have a position as an associate justice of the U.S Supreme Court, Sotomayor was born in The Bronx to Puerto Rican-born parents. She attended Princeton University and Yale Law School and was appointed as a supreme justice back in 2009.
The Puerto Rican population has made a remarkable impression on both the entertainment industry and even politics. Having this type of diversity and representation in the Latin community emphasizes how talented Latinos of all ethnic backgrounds really are. Being able to see the success that Puerto Ricans are able to achieve has demonstrated to me that we are capable of doing anything we put our minds to. I am definitely proud to call myself Puerto Rican.
