She may not be a typical “Brazuca” – those that came from Brazil and established in the U.S, having been born in Los Angeles, but actress Bianca A. Santos proudly holds dual citizenship and deep Latin American roots. With a Brazilian father from Rio de Janeiro (and grandparents from Salvaldor, Bahia), and a Cuban mother, Bianca embodies the growing multicultural fabric of Hollywood.
From a young age, Bianca was shaped by her rich heritage. “Every summer growing up, from July through September, I’d travel with my parents to Rio and spend one to two months there,” she recalls. “Those are some of my fondest childhood memories.”
Even while growing up in the U.S., her Brazilian upbringing remained present. “I was lucky to grow up surrounded by a vibrant Brazilian community. I remember weekends at Marina del Rey – there’d be five or six families at the beach, the kids running around, speaking what we called ‘Portinglês’,” she laughs.
Although she earned a degree in Psychology from California Lutheran University, Bianca’s path took a sharp turn during a guest lecture in her final semester. “I asked the speaker what advice he had for us, and he replied with a question: Do you regret the things you didn’t do? BAM! That was it. Acting instantly came to my mind. It was the clearest moment of my life.” That moment set her on a path toward Hollywood.
Bianca’s multicultural perspective influences everything she does – from her taste in food to her passion for storytelling. “I love Brazilian music, style, food – and above all, the people. They’re so alive and generous. In the U.S., people live to work. In Brazil, people just live.”
Her favorite Brazilian dishes? “Pão de queijo, coxinha, feijoada, and moqueca baiana,” she shares. “And I grew up listening to Djavan, Gilberto Gil, and Caetano Veloso.”
Bianca rose to fame through her role in the Disney/ABC series The Fosters Executive, produced by Jennifer Lopez. Her performance earned her critical acclaim and a devoted fanbase over four seasons. She went on to appear in feature films like Ouija, The DUFF, SPF 18, and also created her own show, Happyland.
More recently, Bianca played the lead and co-produced the 2023 indie thriller Stronghold, directed by fellow Brazilian Julia Camara. “The industry is changing. There’s more opportunity to collaborate internationally, and Brazil has so much to offer in terms of talent and storytelling,” she notes.
Despite her Hollywood success, Bianca remains grounded in her roots and dreams of exploring more of Brazil. “It’s incredible, but I still haven’t been to Bahia. My grandfather is from there – it’s always felt like a magical place that’s calling me.”
Bianca A. Santos is a shining example of the power of multicultural identity and the importance of inclusion in entertainment. Whether she’s on-screen or behind the scenes, she continues to inspire a new generation of global storytellers.
