Daniela Vega
Birth date1989 (age 37–38)
Birth placeSan Miguel, Santiago Province, Chile
Other namesDani Vega
OccupationActress · singer
Years active2011–present

Daniela Vega Hernández (born 1989) is a Chilean actress and mezzo-soprano singer. She is best known for her critically acclaimed performance in the Academy Award-winning film A Fantastic Woman (2017). At the 90th Academy Awards in 2018, Vega became the first transgender person in history to be a presenter at the Academy Awards ceremony. In 2018, Time magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world.

Early life and education

Daniela Vega Hernández[citation needed] was born in 1989 in San Miguel, Santiago Province, as the first child of Igor Alejandro Vega Inostroza and Sandra del Carmen Hernandez de la Cuadra.[1] Vega began studying opera with her grandmother at the age of eight.[2][3]

Growing up, she attended an all-boys school, where she was bullied.[4][5] It was while she was attending the all-boys school in her teens that she realized she was a girl and began to transition.[4][2] Her parents and younger brother Nicolás were supportive of her, despite the conservative nature of Chile at that time.[6][5] Vega described suffering depression for the three years of transition due to the lack of opportunities in Chile to progress her education or express herself, but Vega's parents were supportive and her father encouraged her to go to beauty school, and later theater school.[7][8][2][4]

Career

2011–2017: Early roles and breakthrough

Vega was asked by a writer and director to collaborate on a stage piece about transitioning, using her experience as a foundation.[9] Her contribution resulted in her going on to star in the eventual stage production, Martin de la Parra's 2011 play La mujer Mariposa (The Butterfly Woman). This piece, where she also had the opportunity to sing, ran for eight years in Santiago. During this time, she participated in more pieces, most notably in Migrante (Migrant), a piece about migration.[10][11] Vega's profile was elevated to a wider audience when she appeared in the music video of the famous song "Maria" by Manuel García in 2014. The song and music video were made in collaboration with a gay suicide prevention organization, to help raise awareness and prevent suicide in gay teens.[12] She made her screen debut in 2014 in a drama called The Guest (La visita), playing a trans woman at her father's wake.[13][9]

The 67th Berlin International Film Festival saw the release of A Fantastic Woman (2017), directed by Sebastián Lelio, a film for which her performance was acclaimed by critics.[14][15] A Fantastic Woman tells the story of Marina (played by Vega) and Orlando (played by Francisco Reyes), an older man with whom she is in love and planning a future. After Orlando falls ill and dies, Marina is forced to face family and society, and fight again to show who she is: a fantastic woman.[16] Critic Guy Lodge in a review for Variety praising Vega's performance said: "Vega's tough, expressive, and subtly distressed performance deserves far more than political praise." He continued to note that "It’s a multi-layered, emotionally polymorphous feat of acting, nurtured with pitch-perfect sensitivity by her director, who maintains complete candor on Marina’s condition without pushing her anywhere she wouldn’t herself go."[17][15][18] Her name was strongly mentioned for an Oscar nomination as Best Actress.[19][20][21] She won an award for her performance at the Palm Springs International Film Festival for Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film.[22] A Fantastic Woman went on to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, and Vega became the first openly transgender person ever to be a presenter at the Academy Awards ceremony in 2018.[23][24][25]

In 2018, it was announced that Vega would have a recurring role in the Netflix miniseries Tales of the City.[26]

Media image

Vega became the first transgender person in history to be an Academy Awards presenter in 2018.[27] Time magazine named Vega one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.[28] Hernández can sing mezzo-soprano.[29][30]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2014The GuestElenaOriginal title: La visita[9]
2017A Fantastic WomanMarina VidalOriginal title: Una mujer fantástica[31]
2019The night, unshelteredGabrielaShort film
2020Un Domingo de Julio en SantiagoPamela
2024TechnoboysCharlize
†FuturaPost-production
Key
†Denotes films that have not yet been released

Television

YearTitleRoleNotesRef(s)
2019Tales of the CityYsela3 episodes[32]
2020The PackElisa MurilloMain cast[33]
2022La rebeliónJanaMain role[34]
2022Once Upon a Time... Happily Never AfterThe Witch / EnamoraMain role[35]
2023The PowerSister MariaMain role[36]
Key
†Denotes television shows that have not yet been released

Awards and nominations

YearAwardNominated workCategoryResultRef(s)
201517èmes Rencontres du Cinéma sud-américainThe Guest (La visita)Best Actress[37]
2017Film Festival Lima PUCPA Fantastic WomanBest Actress[38]
4th Fénix AwardsBest Actress[39]
Havana Film FestivalBest Actress[40]
2018Palm Springs Film FestivalBest Actress in a Foreign Language Film[41]
Dorian AwardsBest Performance of the Year – Actress[42]
HerselfRising Star Award
International Cinephile Society AwardsA Fantastic WomanBest Actress[43]
Caleuche AwardsBest Leading Actress[44]
5th Platino AwardsBest Actress[45]

References

  1. ^ "Daniela Vega: La Historia Detras de la Verdadera Mujer Fantastica". Tele Trece. 2018. Archived March 5, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 21, 2018.
  2. ^ Osenlund, Kurt (January 29, 2018). "Meet Daniela Vega, the Trans Star of the Oscar-Nominated A Fantastic Woman". out.com. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  3. ^ Sandberg, Patrick (September 15, 2017). "Meet Daniela Vega, Who Could Be the First Transgender Actress Nominated For an Oscar". W Magazine. Archived September 15, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  4. ^ Aftab, Kaleem (February 28, 2018). "Meet Daniela Vega – actress, singer and the first ever transgender presenter at the Oscars". inews.co.uk. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  5. ^ "Daniela Vega, the transgender who conquered Hollywood". Gulf News. March 6, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  6. ^ "Meet Daniela Vega, The Transgender Chilean Woman Who Conquered Hollywood". news18.com. March 8, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  7. ^ O’Hara, Helen (February 27, 2018). "'Art saved my life': Daniela Vega on Oscar-winning 'A Fantastic Woman'". Time Out. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  8. ^ Fratti, Karen (March 4, 2018). "Who Is Daniela Vega? Meet The Star Of Oscar-Nominated Film 'A Fantastic Woman'". romper.com. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  9. ^ Romney, Jonathan (February 18, 2018). "Daniela Vega: the transgender star lighting up the film industry". The Guardian. Archived April 15, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  10. ^ "Daniela Vega's Winding Path to Acting". BackStage. January 31, 2018. Archived August 12, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  11. ^ "ESTRENO DE DANZA EN GAM: EL CUERPO QUE MIGRA BAILANDO" (in Spanish). RadioDemente. Archived from the original on August 12, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2018.
  12. ^ "Daniela Vega y su protagonismo en clip de Manuel García" (in Spanish). radiozero.cl. Archived from the original on April 8, 2019. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  13. ^ "10 claves de 'María', el nuevo video de Manuel García" (in Spanish). MQLTV. Archived August 12, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved September 13, 2017.
  14. ^ "Aki Kaurismäki, Oren Moverman, Agnieszka Holland, Andres Veiel, and Sally Potter – First Films for the Competition of the Berlinale 2017". Berlinale. December 15, 2016. Archived August 12, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 15, 2016.
  15. ^ Gilbey, Ryan (February 14, 2017). "A Fantastic Woman review – timeless trans tale stands alongside Almodóvar". The Guardian. Archived October 22, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 18, 2017.
  16. ^ "A Fantastic Woman (2017) – Reviews". Metacritic. Archived August 12, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  17. ^ Lodge, Guy (February 12, 2017). "Film Review: 'A Fantastic Woman' (2017)". Variety. Archived August 12, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  18. ^ Nevins, Jake (March 4, 2018). "A Fantastic Woman wins best foreign language film at Oscars 2018". The Guardian. Archived February 14, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  19. ^ "Oscars: Why Daniela Vega's "Transformative Performance" in 'A Fantastic Woman' Deserves a Nom". The Hollywood Reporter. January 8, 2018. Archived April 15, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  20. ^ "Trans Actress Daniela Vega Drawing Oscar Buzz for 'Fantastic Woman'". BreitBart. September 14, 2017. Archived April 15, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  21. ^ "An Oscar Nomination for Daniela Vega Would Make Trans Hollywood History". Vice.com. November 22, 2017. Archived April 15, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  22. ^ "'A Fantastic Woman' (2017) | Palm Springs International Film Festival". Palm Springs International Film Society. Archived April 15, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  23. ^ "Daniela Vega as the Oscars' First Openly Transgender Presenter Is a Win for the LGBTQ and Latinx Communities". Fuse
  24. ^ Betancourt, Manuel (February 17, 2018). "Transgender Actress Daniela Vega to Make History By Presenting at the Oscars". remezcla.com. Archived April 15, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  25. ^ Maya Oppenheim (2018). "Daniela Vega: Star of A Fantastic Woman makes Oscars history as first openly transgender presenter". The Independent. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  26. ^ Rick Porter (October 16, 2018). "Netflix's 'Tales of the City' Welcomes Back Paul Gross, Fills Out Cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved October 17, 2018.
  27. ^ Lang, Cady (March 5, 2018). "What You Need to Know About Daniela Vega, the Star of the Oscar Winning Film A Fantastic Woman". Time. Archived March 6, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  28. ^ Bachelet, Michelle (April 19, 2018). "Daniela Vega by Michelle Bachelet". Time. Archived February 14, 2017 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 19, 2018.
  29. ^ Mackelden, Amy (March 2, 2018). "Everything You Need to Know About A Fantastic Woman Star Daniela Vega". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved March 30, 2018.
  30. ^ "Chile's Oscar for 'A Fantastic Woman' Bolsters Gender Identity Bill". The New York Times. March 5, 2018. Archived March 6, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  31. ^ Reed, Rex (February 12, 2018). "Review: Three Stars: 'A Fantastic Woman' Shows the Grim Reality of Trans Discrimination". The New York Observer. Archived February 12, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  32. ^ Dry, Jude (October 16, 2018). "'Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City': Netflix Spotlights Trans Talent As Daniela Vega & Jen Richards Join Cast". Indiewire. Archived October 16, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  33. ^ Rolfe, Pamela (November 10, 2018). "A Fantastic Woman's' Daniela Vega to Star in Drama Series 'The Pack'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived October 11, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  34. ^ Hopewell, John (January 14, 2022). "Pantaya, Elefantec Shoot 'La Rebelión' With 'A Fantastic Woman' Lead Daniela Vega, Aracely Arámbula (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
  35. ^ "Daniela Vega regresa a Netflix: en marzo debutará la serie de fantasía Érase una vez... pero ya no" (in Spanish). La Tercera. 2022-02-12. Retrieved 2024-12-08.
  36. ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 14, 2020). "John Leguizamo, Toheeb Jimoh, Ria Zmitrowicz And 4 Others Join All Female-Directed Amazon Thriller Series 'The Power' – TCA". Deadline. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
  37. ^ "Le choix des jurys" [The choice of juries] (in French). JournalZibeline. March 28, 2015. Archived May 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  38. ^ "21 Festival de Cine de Lima 2017" (in Spanish). Festival de Lima. Archived May 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved December 12, 2017.
  39. ^ "'A Fantastic Woman,' 'A Monster Calls,' 'Devil's Freedom,' 'Narcos' Top 2017 Fénix Awards". Variety. December 7, 2017. Archived May 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  40. ^ "Argentine Drama "Alanis" Takes Best Film Award at the Havana Film Festival". Havana Times. December 17, 2017. Archived May 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 10, 2018.
  41. ^ Haring, Bruce (January 13, 2018). "29th Palm Springs Int'l Film Fest Names 'Félicité' As Best Foreign Language Film". Deadline Hollywood. Archived May 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  42. ^ Kilday, Gregg (January 10, 2018). "'Call Me by Your Name' Leads Dorian Award Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived May 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved January 11, 2018.
  43. ^ Stevens, Beth (January 21, 2018). "2018 ICS Award Nominees". International Cinephile Society (ICS). Archived May 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 18, 2018.
  44. ^ Mostrador Braga, El (January 24, 2018). "Daniela Vega ganadora de premios Caleuche emociona con su discurso: "El arte salvó mi vida"" [Daniela Vega award winner Caleuche thrills with her speech: "Art saved my life"] (in Spanish). El Mostrador. Archived May 14, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 21, 2018.
  45. ^ "Sebastian Lelio's 'A Fantastic Woman' Sweeps 5th Platino Awards". Variety. April 30, 2018. Archived April 30, 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved April 30, 2018.