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Cal Poly | Culture

The Next Generation of Hispanic Figures in the Entertainment Industry

Kayla Castillo Student Contributor, Cal Poly State University - San Luis Obispo
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Cal Poly chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

As the entertainment industry continues to grow in diversity and representation, there has been an influx of breakout stars. With Hispanic Heritage month starting on Sept. 15, let’s take a look at the next generation of iconic Hispanic figures making a name for themselves in the spotlight. 

  1. Marcello Hernandez

Marcello Hernandez first created buzz when he joined the cast of comedy powerhouse Saturday Night Live (SNL) as the first Gen Z cast member. He has starred in numerous viral skits on SNL, including his run as his most popular character, “Domingo”, singing renditions of pop hits like Sabrina Carpenter’s “Espresso”. He projects his culture through his comedy, often referring to his mother, who was born in Cuba, in his jokes. He proudly represents his dual Cuban and Dominican ethnicity in his Netflix special, “Marcello Hernandez: American Boy.” His special is a flared retelling of his life growing up as a Hispanic boy in Miami. Hernandez was most recently invited to present at the 2026 Emmy Awards, where he brought his Cuban-Dominican charm to the stage. 

  1. Inde Navarrette

Inde Navarette is creating Oscar buzz at a speed that no one could have predicted, with her breakout role as Nikki, in what the internet is calling one of the best horror films of all time: “Obsession”. Navarrette, who identifies with her Mexican heritage, was recently cast in the highly-anticipated Marvel Studios X-Men film as Rouge. This opportunity will no doubt be her cementing role as the future of acting. 

  1. Bad Bunny 

Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, or more famously known as the Puerto Rican sensation, Bad Bunny, needs no introduction. Bad Bunny, who was the biggest artist on Spotify in 2025, is the artist of our generation. The Halftime show that stopped the world recently took home the Emmy for Outstanding Variety Special and he currently holds the title of the best album of 2025, winning Album of the Year at the 2026 Grammy Awards. Bad Bunny uses his love for his country and his roots to connect his listeners with this music. At only 32, he has a generational career still ahead of him. 

Hispanic Heritage month is a reminder for those of us with Hispanic roots to share who we are and where we come from. Celebrities like Marcello Hernandez, Inde Navarrette, and Bad Bunny are just some of the many Hispanic figures who bring light and attention to the beauty of Hispanic culture.

Kayla Castillo

Cal Poly '30

Kayla is a first-year student at Cal Poly studying journalism. She has a passion for all things pop culture, media, and rom-com books. Some of her favorites include The Rookie, 9-1-1, The Pitt, K.L. Walther's Maybe Meant To Be, and Better Than the Movies. She has experience in amateur journalism, having served as her previous publication's social media manager and editor-in-chief. She is excited to pursue a career in journalism with hopes of working in the entertainment industry, as press junkets hold a special place in her heart.