Early Life and Education
Born on July 26, 1988, in Los Angeles, California, Francia Raisa Almendárez is the daughter of Virginia Almendárez, a Mexican mother, and Renán Almendárez Coello, a Honduran-born radio personality known as “El Cucuy.” She has two younger sisters, Italia and Irlanda. Raisa began taking dance lessons at the age of five, studying various styles including tap, jazz, acrobatics, hip-hop, and Polynesian dance. She also trained in karate and ice skating. Raisa attended Bishop Alemany High School in Mission Hills, California, where she was a cheerleader. During her junior year, she started modeling for print ads and appearing in commercials, which sparked her interest in acting.
Breakthrough and Career Highlights
Raisa’s acting career began in earnest during her senior year of high school when she landed a lead role opposite Hayden Panettiere in the film “Bring It On: All or Nothing” (2006), portraying the character Leti. She went on to appear in television movies such as “Shredderman Rules” (2007) and “The Cutting Edge: Chasing the Dream” (2008), where she played Alexandra Delgado. Her breakout role came with the ABC Family series “The Secret Life of the American Teenager,” where she portrayed Adrian Lee from 2008 to 2013. The show tackled issues of teenage pregnancy and relationships, and Raisa’s performance earned her critical acclaim. Raisa continued to expand her television career with roles in “Grown-ish” (2018–2022) as Ana Torres, a conservative Cuban-American college student, and in “How I Met Your Father” (2022–2023) as Valentina, a stylish and free-spirited character. She also starred in the Freeform television film “Life-Size 2” (2018) alongside Tyra Banks.
Personal Life and Advocacy
In 2017, Raisa garnered widespread attention for donating a kidney to her close friend Selena Gomez, who was suffering from lupus. The act was widely praised and highlighted Raisa’s generosity and close bond with Gomez. Raisa is also an advocate for various causes, including women’s reproductive health. In 2024, she revealed her diagnoses of SIBO and endometritis, conditions that may affect fertility, and expressed her commitment to advocating for better reproductive healthcare for women. Additionally, Raisa is involved with organizations like Unlikely Heroes, which works to combat sex trafficking and provide support to survivors.
Awards and Recognition
Throughout her career, Raisa has received several accolades, including a Gracie Allen Award for Outstanding Female Rising Star for her role in “The Secret Life of the American Teenager.” She has also been recognized with nominations from the Teen Choice Awards, IMAGEN Awards, and ALMA Awards.
