Hunter Reese Peña
- Actor
- Director
- Writer
Hunter Reese Peña is a dynamic new force in the entertainment industry, making waves as an actor, singer, and writer. A proud genderfluid artist (he/she/they), Peña is dismantling traditional expectations, presenting both masculine and feminine facets of their identity.
Hunter's big break came in the form of a pivotal role in Netflix's hit show "Selena: The Series," in which Peña captivated viewers across the globe. The Selena Quintanilla drama was watched by a staggering 25 million households in its first month alone, and the show charted on Netflix's top ten list in 23 countries including the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru. Peña's standout performance as Ricky Vela, Selena's songwriter and keyboard player, marked a turning point in his career, generating a wave of new fans and followers.
In the spirit of challenging norms and celebrating gender diversity, Peña released a self-directed music video, "Over California," featuring their drag persona Huntress. Demonstrating his resilience and commitment to authentic representation, he engaged with those who questioned his gender expression, with a video response that amassed over 1.4 million views. This groundbreaking music video was Directed/Edited/Produced by Hunter, and featured a trans lead in a cis role, a bold statement about inclusivity in the entertainment world.
Peña's prowess extends beyond acting and music, making strides as a writer as well. Hunter's pilot, "The Real Life of January June," a compelling narrative about a pop singing drag queen navigating an existential crisis, was a semi-finalist in the 2022 ATX TV Festival's "Pitch Competition." The script also marked a milestone as a quarterfinalist in WeScreenplay's 2022 "Diverse Voices," underscoring his commitment to amplifying underrepresented narratives.
Born to Mexican immigrant parents in California's Central Valley, Peña is a bilingual powerhouse, fluent in English and Spanish, and a dedicated student of the revered Meisner Technique.
Peña's raw talent, coupled with their unyielding commitment to authenticity and representation, makes them an indispensable asset in Hollywood. Their fearless exploration of their genderfluidity and dedication to pushing boundaries sets them apart in the industry, solidifying their status as a trailblazer for a new era of diverse storytelling.
Hunter's big break came in the form of a pivotal role in Netflix's hit show "Selena: The Series," in which Peña captivated viewers across the globe. The Selena Quintanilla drama was watched by a staggering 25 million households in its first month alone, and the show charted on Netflix's top ten list in 23 countries including the U.S., Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Peru. Peña's standout performance as Ricky Vela, Selena's songwriter and keyboard player, marked a turning point in his career, generating a wave of new fans and followers.
In the spirit of challenging norms and celebrating gender diversity, Peña released a self-directed music video, "Over California," featuring their drag persona Huntress. Demonstrating his resilience and commitment to authentic representation, he engaged with those who questioned his gender expression, with a video response that amassed over 1.4 million views. This groundbreaking music video was Directed/Edited/Produced by Hunter, and featured a trans lead in a cis role, a bold statement about inclusivity in the entertainment world.
Peña's prowess extends beyond acting and music, making strides as a writer as well. Hunter's pilot, "The Real Life of January June," a compelling narrative about a pop singing drag queen navigating an existential crisis, was a semi-finalist in the 2022 ATX TV Festival's "Pitch Competition." The script also marked a milestone as a quarterfinalist in WeScreenplay's 2022 "Diverse Voices," underscoring his commitment to amplifying underrepresented narratives.
Born to Mexican immigrant parents in California's Central Valley, Peña is a bilingual powerhouse, fluent in English and Spanish, and a dedicated student of the revered Meisner Technique.
Peña's raw talent, coupled with their unyielding commitment to authenticity and representation, makes them an indispensable asset in Hollywood. Their fearless exploration of their genderfluidity and dedication to pushing boundaries sets them apart in the industry, solidifying their status as a trailblazer for a new era of diverse storytelling.