Leslie Grace

Grace in 2015, photo by kathclick/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Leslie Grace Martínez

Place of Birth: The Bronx, New York City, New York, U.S.

Date of Birth: January 7, 1995

Ethnicity: Dominican Republic [Spanish, African, possibly other]

Leslie Grace, also known by her full name Leslie Grace Martínez, is an American singer, songwriter, and actress. She stars in the film In the Heights, and played the title role in the now-shelved Batgirl film.

Leslie’s parents, Elba Altagracia Guaba and Francisco “Frank” Martínez, are Dominican, the latter from La Romana, La Romana. She was raised in Davie, Florida. Her mother runs a hair salon. Leslie speaks Spanish.

Of casting African-Latin actors in the film In the Heights, she has said, “[that] was definitely something that I was super mindful of as I was embodying Nina… Even in the audition process-to have read a role that looks and sounded like myself was already very rare. And then at the audition, to be in the space in the hallway where you’re seeing other girls that look like you auditioning for this role? That was also very rare.”

Sources:

Marriage record of Leslie’s parents –