Camila Mendes is an actress of Brazilian-American heritage who is fluent in both English and Portuguese and considers herself part of the Latin American community.
Key Takeaways
- Camila Mendes, an actress with Brazilian and American roots, is playing her first role portraying a Brazilian-American character in the new movie “Música.”
- She was born to her now-divorced parents, Victor Mendes and Gisele Carraro, and raised alongside an older sister, Viviane Mendes.
- Mendes stresses how crucial it is for Brazilian girls to see themselves accurately represented on screen.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Mendes shared, “I am a Brazilian of blood, with all the extended family of Brazilians, but I was born and raised in the United States.”
She added, “When I go to Brazil, I feel like an American, and in the United States, I always realize the traits that make me Brazilian.”
As a first-generation Brazilian American, Mendes dreamed of showcasing Brazilian American stories in her work but couldn’t figure it out until she met Rudy Mancuso.
The “Riverdale” actress is both an executive producer and the lead actress, playing Isabella in “Música,” which is available to watch on Prime Video.
The film, directed, written, and starring her partner, Rudy Mancuso, tells a coming-of-age love story.
It follows a young creator with synesthesia as he navigates love, family, and his Brazilian heritage in Newark, New Jersey. “Música” beautifully showcases Brazilian culture.
This marks Mendes’ first time playing a Brazilian-American character on screen.
Talking about her role in the movie, she said, “It was really hard for me to perceive me being Brazilian-American as an asset in Hollywood because there was nobody calling for it, so to have that quality naturally and to be able to bring that to this character was amazing.”
Mendes explains that while growing up, she found inspiration in Latina roles, but most of her role models weren’t Brazilian.
She emphasizes the importance of representation for Brazilian girls who have not seen themselves depicted on screen, expressing her excitement to allow them to be portrayed cinematically.
She hopes to highlight their experiences and ensure authentic representation of Brazilians in film.
Family Ties Of The Actress
Camila Mendes was born to Brazilian parents Victor Mendes and Gisele Carraro on June 29, 1994, in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Her father worked in business, while her mother was a flight attendant.
She grew up with her older sister, Viviane Mendes, and experienced a nomadic childhood due to her father’s job and her parents’ divorce.
Camila moved homes 16 times during her upbringing, mainly in Florida. She also spent a year living in Brazil when she was 10.
Father Victor currently serves as the CEO of INVIXIA Construction LLC, having previously held executive positions at VIXIA Healthcare and CHEP.
Moreover, he is in a relationship with Rayza Caravia, a native of Miami, Florida.
On the other hand, Mendes’s mother, Gisele, has transitioned her career into vegan baking, sharing her creations, such as cakes and other recipes, on Instagram under the handle “Vegan Sweet Vegan by Gisele.”
FAQs
Is Camila Mendes Related To Shawn Mendes?
No, even though the actor and singer share the same surname, they are not related.
Who Is Camila Mendes’ Boyfriend?
Since 2023, Mendes has been in a relationship with actor and internet personality Rudy Mancuso. Before that, she was dating photographer and director Ian Wallace from 2013 to 2017. Then, she began dating her Riverdale co-star Charles Melton around October 2018, but they split up by December 2019.
Where Did Camila Mendes Graduated From?
She finished her studies in the Fine Arts program at the American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, and graduated in 2012. Later, in May 2016, she completed her studies and graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
