When celebrities come into Bustle HQ in New York, whether it's for a photoshoot, videoshoot, or a Facebook Live, we want to give them the chance to leave their mark. Literally. So we hand them a pen, a piece of paper, a few questions, and ask them to get creative. The rest is up to them. This time, actress Gabrielle Ruiz is leaving her mark in the Bustle Booth.
Before landing her breakthrough role as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’s Valencia, Gabrielle Ruiz carved a career in theater. She acted in musicals like Evita, A Chorus Line, and Lin-Manuel Miranda's In The Heights — all parts that primed her for Crazy Ex’s delightfully comedic songs. So when Ruiz came by the Bustle office, we had to ask her to sing — and tease what's ahead for Valencia.
For those unfamiliar, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend follows the life of Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom), a zany lawyer who uproots her life in New York City and relocates to West Covina, California to chase after her summer camp ex-boyfriend. Like much of the cast, Ruiz’s character has had quite the dramatic ride, morphing from Rebecca’s rival — and Josh’s girlfriend — into one of her close friends and a fellow ex. As Crazy Ex-Girlfriend heads further into the back half of its second season, she and Rebecca are navigating their lives post-Josh together.
Ruiz also shared her dream guests for Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and a few of her favorite things from the series. She got even more personal in the Bustle Booth, revealing her celebrity crush, biggest fear, and how she hopes people perceive her. Now that the show has officially been renewed for a third season, you’ll be seeing a lot more of Ruiz on screen. Get to know her a little bit better below.
