Actress and singer Jackie Cruz, best known for her role as Marisol “Flaca” Gonzalez on the Netflix series "Orange is the New Black", made an appearance at Foy Hall Auditorium for a stop on her “CRUZing Through Adversity” tour.
Cruz told stories about the trials and tribulations she had gone through in her life, starting when her mother, fifteen at the time, gave birth to her.
Cruz said she aspired to sing and act as early as the age of seven.
“My mother really did believe in me, because she left her whole life behind to take me to Hollywood,” Cruz said.
Cruz also told the story of a life-changing car accident she was involved in at age sixteen.
“I had a blood clot in my brain, a kidney contusion, a collapsed lung,” Cruz said. “I woke up, and my head was shaved."
Cruz said she had no idea how severe her injury was at the time.
"When I stood up, I was dizzy because I had been in that hospital bed for two weeks," Cruz said.
The incident changed her and inspired her in her career, Cruz said.
“I’m a miracle," Cruz said. "I was in a coma for 72 hours--they literally sent a priest to my mother to say goodbye to me.”
Cruz said in the aftermath of her accident she was further encouraged by her mother to pursue her dreams.
"My mother told me, ‘you have to make it now even more’," Cruz said. "Look at me; I can walk, talk, I can do everything. What’s stopping me?”
One of her mother's dreams for her was to be an inspiration to others, Cruz said.
“I’m actually doing what my mother said I needed to do, I’m inspiring people,” Cruz said. “Don’t put a time limit on your dreams, either."
Cruz said she is determined to continue striving for success in the acting business.
"I may end up winning an Oscar when I’m ninety, but I’m gonna win an Oscar no matter what," Cruz said.
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