Today may be a normal Sunday to you, but for Aimee Carrero, it’s a milestone: the Young & Hungry actress turns 30 today! We wanted to celebrate her birthday by showing her some love, so here are five reasons Aimee is a total badass and a huge inspiration.
1. She is the first Latina Disney Princess
That’s right—Aimee’s been bringing Latina representation to the small screen since 2016 as Princess Elena in Elena of Avalor, a Disney Channel animated series that is a spinoff of Sofia the First. Elena is the protector of her kingdom of Avalor, and Aimee has made the importance of the role clear since day one.
#ElenaofAvalor is a peacemaker, #ElenaofAvalor makes her own choices, #ElenaofAvalor listens to those who disagree with her, #ElenaofAvalor fights for #Avalor and the people in it. Ps. I play #ElenaofAvalor, so, I know this well. https://t.co/IyOZMyrEjs
— Aimee Carrero-Rock (@aimeecarrero) July 10, 2018
In an interview with Cliche Magazine, Aimee said, “Latin people have been waiting a long time to see our images represented. What excites me the most about Elena of Avalor is that it features a woman of color in a powerful position, doing a great job. She is a great ambassador; not only for Latin people, but for those who are unfamiliar with our culture and traditions.”
We’re so inspired by Aimee’s role in creating more Latinx representation on the screen, especially for young girls who can feel empowered by the show. Hopefully Elena of Avalor paves the way for more shows just like it.
2. She’s woke AF
We love an informed and involved queen! Aimee has advocated for gun control at the March For Our Lives and proudly displayed her feminism at the Women’s March. She also takes to social media to speak up on issues she finds important, like white privilege and the future of the Supreme Court after Justice Anthony Kennedy’s retirement announcement.
On top of that, she also uses her profession as an actress to send the messages she wants people to learn from. When speaking with POPSUGAR Latina about her roles as Elena in Elena of Avalor and Sofia in Young & Hungry, she said, “One of the things I love about them is that they’re their own hero. There’s not necessarily a love story—there’s no Prince Charming, as far as Elena is concerned—and so they’re kind of in charge of their own narrative and they’re doing what they want to do. That’s something that, I think, is a wonderful example for the modern-day audience.”
3. She’s accomplished outside of acting, too
Aimee graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelors of Science in International Relations from Florida International University in 2008. For reference, she graduated high school in 2006—meaning she got her degree in just two years. Talk about serious academic inspo.
Aimee also told Interview Magazine that while in college, she studied abroad in Nicaragua and was involved in Model UN. FIU’s MUN team is ranked as one of the top in the country, and frankly, we’re not surprised that Aimee made the cut.
4. She’s been on all your favorite shows
Of course we all know and love Aimee as Sofia, aka “Lil So So,” on Young & Hungry, but her filmography includes a wide range of dramatic and comedic roles.
Her big dramatic break was probably as undercover communist Lucia on The Americans. She’s also had guest roles on Hannah Montana, American Horror Story, The Mentalist and Blindspot, to name a few. We can’t wait to see what else she has coming up after Young & Hungry wraps this season!
5. She’s super hardworking and passionate about her craft
Aimee also told Interview Magazine that while in college, she was preparing to go to law school. But her love for acting “just kept calling” to her, and she decided to give up her plan to be a lawyer and return to community theater in Miami. Having that type of dedication is so difficult, especially when your career is possibly at stake, so we’re so inspired by her decision to take the plunge and commit herself to acting.
And now that she’s put in a lot of hard work and made a career for herself that she deserves to be proud of, does Aimee regret not going to law school? Not one bit.
“I’ve had moments, because I’m very Type A and impatient, where I get impatient and sick of [acting],” Aimee said, “but I don’t think I could ever walk away for good. If I wasn’t doing it in this capacity, I would be that crazy woman with 17 cats that volunteers at the local theater. I would be doing it in some way or another.”
And really, we think that’s the only way you can approach the thing you love.
Happy 30th birthday, Aimee! We love you!