Yvette González-Nacer is an American actress and singer. She is best known for originating the role of Fate in the original Broadway production of the Grammy and Tony Award-winning musical Hadestown, starring in the first Broadway National Tour of Moulin Rouge!, and starring as Kiki on Nickelodeon's Emmy Award Winning TV series The Fresh Beat Band. During the show's run, Yvette and the cast performed a sold-out tour in front of half a million fans.
Early life and education González-Nacer was born to Cuban immigrant parents in Miami, Florida. She became interested in music early, taking violin lessons when she was 3 years old and taking voice lessons in high school. She attended the University of Miami after receiving an opera scholarship.
Career González-Nacer's early career focused on music rather than acting. She spent time as a member of a jazz band and toured alongside Engelbert Humperdinck, singing the duet "How Do You Keep The Music Playing" with him on a World Tour.
Theater González-Nacer played the character Maria in Dolores Prida's Off-Broadway show 4 Guys Named Jose ... and Una Mujer Named Maria. Her performance was praised as "comically endearing" by Variety. and as "unfairly charming" by Back Stage West. She performed alongside Luis Valdez in Corridos Remix, and she was awarded a Craig Noel Award for Outstanding Female Lead in a Musical by the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. She played Vanessa in the first national tour of Lin-Manuel Miranda's musical In the Heights.
González-Nacer made her Broadway debut in 2019, playing one of the three Fates in Anaïs Mitchell's musical Hadestown. She had previously played the role in a 2017 performance at the New York Theatre Workshop. Nacer handled the highest part of the three. Her performance in the musical was complimented in reviews by The Daily Beast, The Hollywood Reporter, and Rolling Stone. In 2022, she joined the cast of Moulin Rouge! for the show's first national tour. Initially an alternate, she took over the role of Satine shortly after the tour began. Her performance was received positively by The Washington Post and Metro Weekly. González-Nacer played Mrs. Wright in Real Women Have Curves, which received a limited run at the American Repertory Theater from 2023 to 2024.
Television and film González-Nacer starred in the television series The Fresh Beat Band from 2009 to 2013, later rejoining the case for the animated spin-off series Fresh Beat Band of Spies in 2015. She embarked on a concert tour alongside the cast of The Fresh Beat Band in 2012. She was nominated in the "Best Young Actress/Television" category at the 2011 Imagen Awards for her work in The Fresh Beat Band. She was again nominated for "Best Actress/Television" at the 2014 Imagen Awards. In 2016, González-Nacer played Cha Cha in Grease Live!, a television film adaptation of the 1978 film Grease. She then went on to portray the role of Soledad Penagos on CBS' "Madam Secretary," Ella on ABC's "9-1-1" and Isabella on AMC's "Wicked City." She most recently portrayed the role of Amanda in the feature film "Murder Motel" with Mickey Rourke and starred in the feature film "Playing For Mozart."
Music González-Nacer released her first album, "Not Gonna Wait," in 2012. In 2020, she released a Christmas album featuring her Hadestown castmates Jewelle Blackman and Kay Trinidad titled "If The Fates Allow: A Hadestown Holiday Album."
Philanthropy González-Nacer is the founder of Creative Minds Care, a nonprofit organization that raises awareness and funds for Alzheimer's research as well as other neurodegenerative diseases. She is also a "Celebrity Champion" for the Alzheimer's Association and an ambassador for Active Minds.
Filmography
Film YearTitleRoleNotes2018Life, ItselfPerformed and produced "Not Dark Yet"2019Cactus FlowerColby2022The Curse of La PatasolaLa PatasolaComposed, produced and performed the Main Theme. Voiced titular character2023Murder MotelAmanda2024Playing For MozartMara2025Hurricanna Executive Producer
Television YearTitleRoleNotes2007The Wedding BellsTeresaEpisode: "Fools in Love"2007Guiding LightRosa3 episodes2009–2013The Fresh Beat BandKiki60 episodes2011The Tonight Show with Jay LenoHerselfEpisode: "Episode #20.19"2013Criminal MindsGina MendesEpisode: "Nanny Dearest"2015–2016Fresh Beat Band of SpiesKiki (voice role)20 episodes2016Grease Live!Cha ChaTV Movie2017Madam SecretarySoledad PenagosEpisode: "Labor of Love"2018Goldie & BearPhyllisEpisode: "Horsin' Around/Pigs Without Twigs"20239-1-1EllaEpisode: "Love Is In the Air"2024Wicked CityIsabellaSeason 3
Video games YearTitleVoice RoleNotes2011Nickelodeon DanceKiki
Theater YearProductionRoleTheatreCategory2009–2011In the HeightsVanessa1st Broadway National Tour2018Sweet CharityNickieReprise 2.02019–2020HadestownFateWalter Kerr Theatre2022–2023Moulin Rouge!Satine1st Broadway National Tour2023–2024Real Women Have CurvesMrs. WrightAmerican Repertory Theater2024Mozart: Her Story (A New Musical)Constanze WeberTheatre Royal Drury Lane (West End)
Awards and nominations YearOrganisationAwardWorkResultRef.2005Craig Noel AwardsFemale Lead, MusicalCorridos Remix2011Imagen AwardsBest Young Actress/TelevisionThe Fresh Beat Band2014Imagen AwardsBest Actress/TelevisionThe Fresh Beat Band2016BTVA Television Voice Acting AwardBest Vocal Ensemble in a New Television SeriesFresh Beat Band of Spies 2018Bonehead AwardsBest Music VideoSanteria
References
External links Official website
Creative Minds Care