Ah, Valentine’s Day. The one day of the year when we really focus on–and celebrate–love. Many of us will put on sweet rom-com TV shows and films, following along with the twists and turns of others’ love stories. It’s always an added bonus, and something that really hits home when these heart-warming narratives are also Latinx. When the faces we see mirror ourselves. When our cultures are showcased. We want–and need–to see our love stories up there on the small and large screens. So, to highlight and celebrate amor Latinx, and to inspire more cute, inspiring, complicated, and just-plain-real Latinx on-screen romances, here are nine Latinx couples who show the world just how we love.
Angelina and Miguel from Christmas With You
Christmas With You, starring Aimee Garcia and Freddie Prinze Jr., combines a Valentine’s Day-worthy love story with a cozy and cheery Christmas theme. She’s Angelina, a pop star who grants a fan’s Christmas birthday wish with a visit. He’s the fan’s music-teacher father. Sparks fly when their two worlds collide, and they find their collaboration goes further than just music.
Tita and Pedro from Like Water from Chocolate
Based on the much-loved classic book by Laura Esquivel, 1992’s Like Water for Chocolate (also a classic) follows Tita, a Mexican woman, who, as the youngest daughter, must follow family tradition – here, taking care of her mother and forgoing marriage. She falls in love with Pedro, however, but her obligations get in the way of them being together. Watch this supernatural story, known for its expression of emotions through food and use of magical realism, to find out whether the two are ever able to truly be happy together.
Erik and Lidia from Gentefied
Love isn’t easy. There are many twists, turns, and bumps on the road of any great relationship. In Gentefied, we meet Erik and Lidia, a young couple in Los Angeles. Erik is trying to save his family’s restaurant, while Lidia is focused on her career. Like all couples, they have to navigate issues outside of their love for each other, like their hopes and dreams, education, careers, families, and how (and where) they want to live their lives.
Betty and Armando from Betty La Fea
The Colombian show Yo, Soy Betty La Fea is known as the most successful telenovela of all time, being remade at least 19 times in countries around the world, from Thailand to Algeria to Ukraine. It is the classic ugly duckling story, starring Betty, a smart-yet-nerdy secretary who falls in love with her boss, Armando, at a big fashion company. You get to witness their journeys–both individually, and together–in this hilarious-yet-heart-warming tale to becoming one of the most memorable Latinx couples.
Angel and Lil Papi from POSE
POSE is an incredible show that pulls back a sparkling curtain to reveal what life was like during the 1980s and ‘90s in the LGBTQ Black and Latinx ballroom culture in New York City. Besides the amazingness of it having “the largest cast of transgender actors in series regular roles,” “the largest recurring cast of LGBTQ actors ever for a scripted series,” the amazing fashion, larger-than-life performances, and overall badassery, there is the love. One great Latinx love story is that of trans model Angel and her man, Lil Papi. They meet as members of the House of Evangelista and fall in love. This is a story of total support, acceptance, growth, and success despite trials and tribulations.
Nina and Eddie from New York Undercover
New York Undercover was one of those cool ‘90s hit shows that everyone knew about. It featured a young, attractive, and diverse cast who portrayed undercover cops. Rounding out our selection of Latinx couples on the right side of the law is Nuyorican Detective Eddie Torres played by Michael DeLorenzo and Afro-Nuyorican Detective Nina Moreno played by Luna Lauren Velez.
