How is Camila Mendes?

Camila Carraro Mendes was born on June 29, 1994, in Charlottesville, Virginia, U.S. She is an American actress of Brazilian descent, best known for her roles in television and film.

Family Background

Mendes was born to Brazilian parents her father, Victor Mendes, is a business executive, and her mother, Gisele Carraro, is a flight attendant. She also has an older sister. Her family moved frequently due to her father’s job and her parents’ divorce.

Childhood and Frequent Relocations

Due to her family circumstances, Mendes moved 16 times during her childhood, living in various places such as Atlanta, Virginia, and Orlando, Florida. She spent most of her time mainly in Florida, but briefly lived in Brazil for a year at the age of 10.

Education in Fine Arts

Mendes attended the Fine Arts program at the American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida. She graduated from the school in 2012 and pursued a higher education in acting.

College Education

In May 2016, Mendes graduated from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, a prestigious school for the performing arts. During her time there, she studied acting and honed her craft.

First Acting Role

Her first acting job was in a commercial for IKEA. Although it was a small role, it marked her introduction to the entertainment industry, setting the stage for her career.

Breakthrough Role in Riverdale

In 2016, Mendes was cast as Veronica Lodge in Riverdale, The CW’s modern, darker take on Archie Comics. The show premiered in 2017 and ran until 2023. Her portrayal of the confident and stylish character earned her widespread recognition.

Awards Recognition

For her performance in Riverdale, Mendes won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Scene Stealer in 2017. This early recognition helped cement her place in the entertainment industry.

Film Transition

After Riverdale, Mendes transitioned into film roles. In 2018, she made her feature film debut in The New Romantic, which premiered at the SXSW Festival. She continued this momentum with roles in The Perfect Date (2019) and Coyote Lake (2019).

Critically Acclaimed Roles

In 2020, Mendes appeared in Palm Springs, a critically acclaimed sci-fi & comedy that premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and was released on Hulu. She also starred in the Netflix thriller that same year. She also starred in Upgraded, which gained further attention for her versatility.

Success with Do Revenge

In 2022, Mendes co-starred with Maya Hawke in the Netflix teen black comedy Do Revenge. Her performance as Drea, a high school student who plans revenge, earned critical acclaim for her nuanced portrayal of a “popular girl with a hidden weakness“.

Leading roles and executive producing in 2024

In 2024, Mendes played leading roles in two romantic comedies, Upgraded and Musica, both produced by Amazon Prime. She also served as executive producer for both films, expanding her influence in the industry beyond acting. Both films received positive reviews.

Production company founding

In June 2024, Mendes co-founded the production company Honor Roll with Rachel Matthews, beginning a new chapter in her career as a producer and content creator.

Casting in Masters of the Universe

In August 2024, it was announced that Mendes would be cast as Teela in the live-action reboot of Masters of the Universe, co-starring alongside Nicholas Galitzine, who will play He-Man.

Personal life and relationships

Mendes has been open about her Brazilian American identity and the challenges of working in Hollywood as a Latina. She speaks Portuguese and embraces both her American and Brazilian cultures. Mendes has also shared her experience of being roofied and sexually assaulted during college, which led her to get a tattoo symbolizing her commitment to personal safety. In her personal relationships, Mendes has dated Ian Wallace (2013–2017), Charles Melton (2018–2019) and actor Rudy Mancuso, with whom she confirmed her relationship in 2023.