Mariel Perez

Born in Santurce, Puerto Rico, Mariel Enid Perez was exposed to music, acting, and dance since early childhood. Her father, Eddie "La Bala" Perez, a saxophonist, started the musical group El Gran Combo of Puerto Rico in 1962. Since then, the group has performed world-wide and received many prestigious awards including, Premios Juventud, a Billboard Lifetime Achievement Award (2007), a Latin Grammy, and several Grammy nominations. Mariel's mother, Enid Collazo, originally from New York City, had a successful singing career with her group Viva La Gente, which toured nationally for many years. Surrounded by such early influences, Mariel began ballet classes at age three; then at age eight, expanded her arts studies by adding singing and salsa lessons. Because of her precocious nature and obvious gifts, Mariel was selected to attend an acting academy at age nine. A natural born entertainer, Mariel has been acting, singing and dancing in front of larger and larger crowds ever since. While attending El Colegio Puertorriqueno de Ninas, an all-girl private elementary/high-school, Mariel acted in numerous plays and soloed in the school chorus, while excelling in her other academic classes. Concurrently, at age 13, she was invited to study at the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico, where she had concentrated courses in voice, piano, guitar and jazz. Mariel was also actively involved in various sports, including, volleyball, kick boxing, body surfing and cycling. Mariel finished her academic studies at the Universidad de Puerto Rico, where she received her Bachelor's Degree - with Honors - in Communications and Advertising, in 2004. While attending university, and until 2006, Mariel also held various jobs in corporate promotions, artist representation and public relations, and, event planning and coordination. Desiring to fulfill her childhood dream of having an acting career, Mariel moved to Los Angeles in August, 2006. Although it was a difficult transition, Mariel was passionate about achieving professional success and doing what she loved most. So, after three hard months, she notified her parents that she was not returning to Puerto Rico, and immediately began to further develop her skills. Mariel is currently taking acting courses at the Beverly Hills Playhouse; cold read classes at Gene Bua Acting for Life; and, on-camera preparation with Zora DeHorter. She has also done scene study at Ivanna Chubbuck Studios and Brian Reese Acting Studios. Mariel was chosen as a Field Host for NBC's "Your LA," and has appeared on various other television programs. In film, Mariel had the leading female role, as Kiki, in "House Arrest," and supporting roles in "Las Angeles" and "Father the Fatherless." Mariel continues to participate in other independent film projects and music videos, and has auditioned for numerous TV pilots and commercials. She enjoys both dramatic and comedic roles, and of course, never passes up an opportunity to showcase her singing and dancing abilities!