Jessica Pimentel of Orange is the New Black

The Total Tutor Neil Haley will interview Jessica Pimentel of Orange is the New Black.

Jessica Pimentel is best known for her role as Maria Ruiz on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black, which recently premiered Season 5. She has also been bumped up to series regular as of this season.

Fun fact: Before receiving the offer for the role of Maria Ruiz, Jessica was about to quit the industry and was planning to work for Microsoft. She is extremely knowledgeable in the world of tech!

Pimentel has taken the performance route of most New York Natives, spending much of her early career performing on stage in the city. She was recently seen in the American Stage production of the Pulitzer Prize winning play Anna in the Tropics and Shakespeare Theater’s production of A Very Old Man With Enormous Wings adapted by Nilo Cruz. Additionally, she appeared in films Pride and Glory with Colin Farrell (directed by Gavin O’Connor) and Illegal Tender directed by Franc Reyes and produced by John Singleton.  As well as television series Person of Interest and Law and Order.

The Brooklyn born and raised native is the daughter of Dominican immigrants and a practicing Buddhist. Her heritage also includes Taino Indian and African. Blessed with gorgeous looks and extreme talent on-screen, many would be surprised to learn the Latina goddess is also the front woman for the metal band, Alekhine’s Gun, as well as a trained classical violinist.