Who Plays Maritza on Orange Is the New Black?

1 She's Half of "Flaritza," One of the Best Things About Orange Is the New Black

Image Source: Netflix

Although Taystee and Poussey have one of the cutest friendships on OITNB, "Flaritza" (aka Maritza and Flaca) gives them a run for their money. The inseparable BFFs have been delightful from the beginning, and their brief stint as beauty bloggers in season five is yet another highlight. What's even better? Diane and actress Jackie Cruz, who plays Flaca, are really close in real life.

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2 She's a Successful Author

When Diane was just 14 years old, she watched her parents get ripped away from their home in Boston and deported to Colombia. The experience was as traumatic and eye-opening as you might expect for a young girl, which is why the now-30-year-old decided to write a memoir about it, titled In the Country We Love. The book details the harrowing experience of being an American citizen left behind after her parents were deported but also puts a spotlight on her hopes for immigration reform.

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3 She's an Activist

Diane has not only written a book about her experiences with and opinions on immigration in America but is also actively trying to change the country through activism. She recently met with lawmakers in Washington DC to help push for the creation of a National American Latino Museum, which aims to "educate, inspire, and complete the telling of U.S. history."

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4 She's a Red Carpet Queen

Image Source: Getty / Steve Granitz

When you're one of the stars helping OITNB take home SAG Awards for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a comedy series, you're going to hit the red carpet in style. She wowed at the 2017 SAG Awards in a black and gray gown, which was a follow-up to the hot pink number she wore the previous year.

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5 She Has a Bunch of TV Roles Under Her Belt

Image Source: The CW

In addition to making us laugh (and sometimes cry) as Maritza on OITNB, she also makes us laugh (and usually cry) as Lina on Jane the Virgin (the bond between Lina and Jane is just as adorable as the one between Maritza and Flaca). On top of those roles, she's appeared in episodes of Blue Bloods and Person of Interest and has signed on for the upcoming thriller The Godmother and the comedy Distefano. In other words, we'll be seeing Diane a whole lot more soon!

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