Ricky Vela

Hunter Reese Peña is an actress, singer, writer, and proudly transgender (she/they).

Hunter's big break came in the form of a pivotal role in Netflix's hit show "Selena: The Series," in which Peña captivated viewers across the globe.

The Selena Quintanilla drama was watched by a staggering 25 million households in its first month alone, and the show charted on Netflix's top ten list in 23 countries including the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru.

Peña's standout performance as Ricky Vela (Selena's songwriter and keyboard player) marked a turning point in her career.

In the spirit of challenging norms and celebrating gender diversity, Peña released a self-directed music video, "Over California," featuring their drag persona Huntress. Demonstrating her resilience and commitment to authentic representation, she engaged with those who questioned her gender expression, with a video response that amassed over 1.6 million views.

Their groundbreaking music video was Directed/Edited/Produced by Hunter, and featured a trans lead in a cis role.

Peña's making strides as a writer as well. Hunter's pilot, "The Real Life of January June," a compelling narrative about a pop singing drag queen navigating an existential crisis, was a semi-finalist in the 2022 ATX TV Festival's "Pitch Competition."

The script also marked a milestone as a quarterfinalist in the 2023 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, WeScreenplay's 2022 "Diverse Voices," and more.

Born to Mexican immigrant parents in California's Central Valley, Peña is a bilingual (fluent in English and Spanish), and a dedicated student of the Meisner Technique.

Peña's fearless exploration of their genderfluidity and dedication to pushing boundaries as a Latinx artist sets them apart in the industry as a trailblazer for a new era of diverse storytelling.

See photos of celebrities before they hit the big-time.

Hunter Reese Peña

Director

Writer

Actress

Credit Score: Hunter Reese Peña