Taina, Cast Biographies

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Lisa Lisa ("Gloria Elena Morales")

Photo courtesy of Sonny Senser/Nickelodeon

Born Lisa Velez in New York's Hell's Kitchen on January 15, 1967, Lisa Lisa, the youngest of 10 children, dreamed of being a star. She became an American pop music icon in the 1980's, when at the age of 16 she, with her group "Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam" scored her first #1 gold hit, "I Wonder If I Take You Home". Her first album went Platinum, including the gold single "All Cried Out", and was followed by the Double Platinum "Spanish Fly", which produced the #1 gold singles, "Head To Toe", and "Lost In Emotion". Lisa Lisa has made 13 music videos, numerous television appearances, and her acting credits include theatre classics such as Evita, in which she played the title role. She has also played Maria in West Side Story, and most recently appeared in the AMAS Theatre Off-Broadway production of Barrio Babies.

Lisa Lisa is a role model in the Latino community, hosting one of the largest events in New York City, the Puerto Rican Day parade. She also serves as a spokesperson for the Literacy, Pass It On campaign, the Youth suicide national Center, SUN (Solutions Unlimited Now) and countless other charitable community based organizations. In 1989, Velez was honored with the National Hispanic Heritage Presidential Tribute for being the Most Accomplished Latin American Artist.

Josh Cruze ("Eduardo Morales")
Josh Cruze, who plays Taina's father Eduardo, is an accomplished film, television and theatrical actor with guest-starring roles on ER (NBC); Baywatch (syndicated); NYPD Blue (ABC); Melrose Place (FOX); L.A. Law (NBC); Saved by the Bell (NBC); Brooklyn South (CBS); Private Eye (NBC); Dynasty (ABC); Cop Rock (ABC); Players (NBC); and Borderline (NBC). He has also appeared in numerous movies of the week such as: Alien Nation (HBO); Blind Side (HBO); The Intruder (CBS); Great L.A. Earthquake (NBC); In Self Defense (ABC); Nutcracker (NBC); and The Karen Carpenter Story (CBS). He has also starred on such soap operas as Santa Barbara (NBC), Guiding Light (CBS), All My Children (ABC) and The Bold and the Beautiful (CBS).

Cruze's film credits include roles in Paulie (DreamWorks); Steel (Warner Bros.); Fools Rush In (Columbia); Someone to Watch Over Me (Columbia); Dragnet 87 (Universal); Desperately Seeking Susan (Orion); and Born in East L.A. (Universal).

Manolo Villaverde ("Gregorio 'Goyo' Sanchez")
Manolo Villaverde plays Taina's grandfather, Abuelo. An Emmy Award-winning actor (for his role in the PBS series Que Pasa, USA?), Manolo has appeared in countless television and theatrical productions and commercials, and he is also an accomplished director.

Villaverde's television credits include co-starring roles in such series as El Magnate (Telemundo); Marielena (Telemundo); Guadalupe (Telemundo); Que Pasa, USA? (WPBT-PBS); Wise Guy (CBS); and Nickelodeon's own Gullah Gullah Island. He starred in the movie Cafe and Tobacco, and stage productions including: "The Rose Tattoo"; "Sweet Bird of Youth"; "Fuenteovejuna"; "La Barca sin Pescador"; and "El Huevo del Gallo." He has directed such theatricals as "Dialogos de Carmelitas"; "Lecho Nupcial"; and "La Dama del Alba"; and the operas "Il Tabarro" and "Amahl and the Night Visitors."

Brandon Iglesias ("Santito Morales")
Seven-year-old Iglesias plays Taina's younger brother, Santito. His acting credits include Nickelodeon's new series Noah Knows Best and a national commercial for Epcot "Millennium" by Planet Grande productions. In addition to his acting, Iglesias is a karate student.

He enjoys swimming, roller blading and ice skating. He tackles every opportunity to act with the same tenacity and enthusiasm that he applies to athletics.

Selenis Leyva ("Titi Rosa")
Leyva plays Taina's aunt, Titi Rosa. Levya is also an accomplished theatrical actress, with starring roles in regional productions including: "Now and Then"; "Voire Dire"; "Caliban"; "Sideshow"; "Phomp"; "Simpson Street"; "Fly Girls"; and "Reservations."

Her television and film credits include roles in Law & Order: Special Victims Unit; Law & Order; Showtime at the Apollo; Yes, I Can; A Day at the Dentist and DLG.

Khaliah Menée Adams ("Renee Patrice Jones")
Adams co-stars as Taina's best friend, Renee. Her television credits include roles in Nickelodeon's Eureka's Castle and the CBS soap opera Guiding Light. She has also appeared in the films Evidence of Humanity and Black Utopia.

Adams is a talented pianist, a tap and ballet dancer and has performed with the famed Dance Theatre of Harlem and the Fort Worth Ballet Company. She has also starred in numerous print and television commercials.

Chris Knowings ("LaMar Ernest Chavalier Johnson")
Knowings plays Taina's clumsy friend LaMar. His credits include a starring role as "Nate" in Spike Lee's film Crooklyn and a guest role as Tyndell in the FOX series New York Undercover. He has also appeared in many commercials for such companies as Kodak, Ford, Payless Shoes and AT&T.

Missy Newsome ("Maritza Hoge")
Newsome plays Taina's rival, Maritza. Missy is a talented actress and singer and has appeared in music videos for such artists as Mariah Carey ("Fantasy"), Jodeci ("Get On Up"), Subway ("I'll Make Your Dreams Come True") and Debra Cox ("Where Do We Go From Here"). Her film credits include roles in Fresh with Sean Nelson, Sunset Park (Danny DeVito Films) and Mrs. Winterbourne with Ricki Lake.

Newsome has also appeared in many industrial films and public service announcements and has done voice-over work in several animated films. She is a member of the critically acclaimed City Kids Repertory Group in Manhattan.

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