Known as “the heartland of the ancient Maya civilization,” Guatemala is home to ancient temples, pyramids, and astronomical observatories. The Central American country is also home to VIPs who have made their mark globally. Here we've compiled a list for you of celebs you didn't know were Guatemalan.
7 Celebs You Didn’t know were Guatemalan
You're probably already a fan of their movies and their songs, but did you know some of your favorite VIPs were from Guatemala too? Here's a list of 7 celebrities you may not have known were Guatemalan:
- Oscar Isaac: Born in Guatemala City, Oscar Isaac is an acclaimed actor known for breaking stereotypes in Hollywood. His breakthrough roles include characters in “Ex Machina,” the “Star Wars” franchise, and “Inside Llewyn Davis.” “Widely regarded as a sex symbol, he was also named in Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world list,” The Famous People website writes.
- Ricardo Arjona: Grammy-award winning singer-songwriter Ricardo Arjona has sold millions of records worldwide. His music blends Latin pop, rock, and salsa sounds. Arjona’s hits include “Señora De Las Cuatro Décadas” and "El Amor." “And he's currently one of the most successful Latin American artists of all time, with more than 80 million albums sold,” Ranker writes.
- Arturo Castro: Known for his role as Jaimé Castro on Comedy Central’s “Broad City,” Castro has also appeared in Netflix’s “Narcos” and portrayed Pablo Escobar in "Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.” “Castro honed his funny side by growing up in a house full of women with his three sisters and mom in Guatemala,” People magazine writes.
- María Mercedes Coroy: Coroy, of Kaqchikel Maya descent, gained international fame for her roles in films like “Ixcanul,” “La Llorona,” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.” "No matter what though, the “Marvel superhero and Indigenous Actress holds fast to Maya roots” the New York Times explains.
- Gaby Moreno: A singer-songwriter and musician, Moreno has a soulful voice that blends blues, jazz, and Latin influences. She has collaborated with artists like Hugh Laurie and performed on various international stages. “She already had a strong reputation in Guatemala, but the single “Fuiste Tu” introduced her to a wider audience in Latin America,” The Culture Trip explains.
- Carnage: Born Diamanté Anthony Blackmon, Carnage, a DJ and record producer, has made waves in the electronic dance music scene. “... Blackmon has been a prominent DJ and producer in the hip-hop and electronic music worlds. He made songs with Young Thug, Migos and Mac Miller; … Drake brought him out during one of his concerts in Amsterdam,” Time magazine writes.
- Soluna Samay: A singer-songwriter, Soluna Samay represented Denmark in the Eurovision Song Contest. Born in Guatemala, she moved to Denmark at a young age and has since pursued a successful music career. “The first time my parents took me from Guatemala to Europe I was two years old. From then on my parents and I lived in Guatemala, but every summer we would go to Europe for three months and live in the campervan during that time,” she explained in an interview about her Central American roots.
Images of Oscar Isaac and Ricardo Arjona from Deposit Photos.
