Suki Lopez (born October 7, 1990) is an American actress, dancer, and graphic designer. She plays Nina on the children's television series Sesame Street.

Early life and career

Lopez grew up in Miami, Florida.[1][2][3] Lopez began studying ballet at age three,[1][2] at the Maria Verdeja School of the Arts.[2] She participated in talent shows and school choir as a child, and performed in Spanish-language commercials that aired in Latin America.[1] She studied dance at summer workshops with Joffrey Ballet and American Ballet Theatre.[1][2] The first Broadway musical she saw was Hairspray, which further inspired her to pursue acting as a career.[2]

Lopez participated in musical theatre in high school.[1] She attended Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, where she performed in the Troupe 6273,[2] and was cast in Thoroughly Modern Millie in her senior year.[2] Lopez later moved to New York City to study at the Collaborative Arts Project 21 acting conservatory.[1] She appeared in a productions of the Singin' in the Rain musical, and in a national tour of the musical West Side Story.[1][3] Lopez also performed on the Disney Cruise Line,[1][2] appearing in the shows Disney Wishes and Disney's Believe. She also understudied the role of Jasmine from Aladdin,[1] and performed as Belle from Beauty and the Beast.[2]

Sesame Street

Lopez joined the cast of Sesame Street during its 46th season in 2016, the first year that the show had moved to HBO, marking her television debut.[1][4] Her first audition was reading a scene involving a heart to heart conversation with someone performing as Elmo, and her second audition included singing and improvisation with the Murray Monster puppet.[1] Her casting was part of a series of updates and changes to the show that coincided with the move to HBO.[1][4][5] Lopez portrays Nina, works at the Sesame Street laundromat and bike store,[4][6][7] and works as a babysitter for Elmo.[1] Sesame Street promotional materials described Nina as "a young bilingual Hispanic woman who uses her wit, compassion, and charisma to help the furry residents of Sesame Street solve their daily dilemmas".[1] Lopez said of the character: "Nina is a millennial, and she has a bunch of jobs. So I guess she is like me."[1][3] Lopez watched and enjoyed Sesame Street as a child.[1][2][3] Shortly after Lopez's character was introduced, a petition was circulated asking for Nina to be depicted as a college graduate.[8][9]

Personal life

Lopez has one brother. Her first name means "love" in Japanese.[1] She has also worked in graphic design,[1][2] as a choreographer and acting coach,[2] and has run social media accounts for various dance studios in Florida.[1][3] While appearing in Sesame Street, Lopez was also studying liberal arts at The New School in New York City.[1][3][8]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Reyes, Raul A. (January 15, 2016). "Sesame Street Welcomes 'Nina,' a Young Latina, to 46th Season". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Skiles, Christa. "Five Questions with Suki Lopez". Dramatics. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Arreola, Cristna (January 21, 2016). "Meet The New Latina On Sesame Street, Nina". Latina. Archived from the original on June 10, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 Nordyke, Kimberly (July 28, 2016). "'Sesame Street' Drops 3 Longtime Castmembers". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 21, 2016. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  5. ↑ Pressler, Jessica (January 12, 2016). "What Will HBO's Sesame Street Look Like?". Vulture. Archived from the original on December 25, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  6. ↑ Morabito, Andrea (January 16, 2016). "'Sesame Street' debuts new look in move to HBO". New York Post. Archived from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  7. ↑ Poniewozik, James (January 13, 2016). "Review: HBO's 'Sesame Street,' Fancy but Not Free". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 1, 2019. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  8. 1 2 Reyes, Raul A. (January 27, 2017). "Is 'Sesame Street's' new Latina character the right role model?". CNN. Archived from the original on July 20, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
  9. ↑ Varela, Julio Ricardo (January 21, 2016). "Online Petition Calls for New Latina Sesame Street Character to Be a College Graduate". Latino USA. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved February 17, 2020.
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