America Ferrera is an acclaimed actress, producer and director whose groundbreaking work has reshaped the landscape of representation in Hollywood. She rose to prominence with her iconic portrayal of Betty Suarez on ABC’s Ugly Betty, a role that earned her an Emmy, Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award, along with ALMA and Imagen honors. Her authentic, fearless performance positioned her as a cultural trailblazer and a powerful voice for inclusion in entertainment.
Ferrera went on to star in, produce and direct NBC’s hit comedy Superstore, helping the series earn award nominations from GLAAD, Imagen and the Gracie Awards. Behind the camera, she has become a sought-after creative force, executive producing culturally resonant projects such as Gentefied—a Spanglish dramedy exploring family, identity and the pursuit of the American Dream in the face of displacement.
Her acting career spans acclaimed film and television work, including her role as Carmen in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Astrid in the How to Train Your Dragon franchise and her appearance in the TV mini-series WeCrashed. She also joins the ensemble cast of the highly anticipated Barbie movie.
America Ferrera is perhaps best known for her fearless portrayal of “Betty Suarez” on ABC’s hit comedy Ugly Betty and “Carmen” in the popular film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Ferrera’s Ugly Betty role earned her an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award, as well as ALMA and Imagen Awards.
America Ferrera is an award-winning actress and producer known for her breakthrough role as “Betty Suarez” on ABC’s hit comedy, Ugly Betty. For her performance, Ferrera was recognized with a Golden Globe®, Emmy® and Screen Actors Guild Award®, as well as ALMA and Imagen Awards.
America Ferrera was the producer and star of the long-running NBC workplace comedy, Superstore. Additionally, she directed several episodes such as 218 “Mateo’s Last Day” and episode 313 “Video Game Release” for the series. Superstore received nominations for the 2018 GLAAD Media Awards, the 2017 Imagen Awards, and the 2017 Gracie Awards. Ferrera is an executive producer of Gentefied, described as a badass Spanglish series about family, community, brown love, and the displacement that disrupts it all. Gentefied follows three Mexican-American cousins and their struggle to chase the American Dream, even while that same dream threatens the things they hold most dear.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, America Ferrera is the youngest of six children. As a graduate of the University of Southern California, Ferrera studied International Relations while pursuing her career in film and television.
View All Speakers and follow us on Twitter
In this powerful TED Talk, America Ferrera reveals how embracing identity—not resisting it—fuels confidence, agency and cultural change, urging audiences to challenge limiting systems and lead authentically.
America Ferrera opens by recalling her childhood dream of becoming an actress, inspired by movie musicals and fueled by the American belief that anything is possible. Despite having no industry connections and rarely seeing anyone who looked like her onscreen, she trusted that her aspirations were achievable. Her first professional audition at age fifteen, however, exposed her to the stereotypes governing Hollywood. A casting director asked her to “sound more Latina,” meaning broken English—a request that made her question why her authentic identity wasn’t considered “Latina enough.”
Ferrera describes the early roles available to her: gang members’ girlfriends, shoplifters, and other one-dimensional stereotypes that bore no resemblance to her life or ambitions. When she expressed interest in complex, central characters, she was told her expectations were unrealistic, and she repeatedly heard excuses like “we’re not casting diversely” or “we already have one Latino in this film.” These messages reinforced the belief that her identity was an obstacle to overcome rather than a strength.
In response, she tried to conform—lightening her skin tone, straightening her hair, trying to slim down and look more “acceptable”—hoping that erasing herself would open doors. Ironically, her breakout role came when she stopped resisting who she was. Playing Ana in Real Women Have Curves proved that audiences wanted authentic stories, and viewers around the world connected deeply with the character. Despite its success, however, the industry did not shift, and Ferrera noticed a continued scarcity of Latina-led stories.
Speaker fees can vary depending on factors such as expertise, demand, and event specifics. While some speakers may charge a flat fee for their services, others may have hourly rates. It’s best to discuss fee structures directly with the speaker or their representative to understand the pricing model.
Keynote speeches typically range from 30 to 90 minutes, with the duration determined by the speaker’s expertise, the event’s agenda, and audience preferences. Keynote speeches often include a combination of inspirational stories, practical insights, and actionable advice tailored to the event’s theme or objectives.
The scale of the event and audience size can indeed impact a speaker’s fee. Larger events with a broader reach or higher attendance may command higher fees due to increased exposure and demand. Conversely, smaller events or niche audiences may offer opportunities for more flexible pricing arrangements.
Travel expenses such as transportation, accommodation, and meals are typically negotiated separately from the speaker’s fee. These costs vary depending on the speaker’s location, travel distance, and event duration. It’s important to clarify travel arrangements and expenses during the booking process to avoid misunderstandings.
Many speakers require a deposit to secure a booking, with the remaining balance due closer to the event date. Deposits are often non-refundable and serve as a commitment from both parties. It’s advisable to discuss deposit requirements and payment terms with the speaker or their representative when finalizing the booking.
Ready to find the perfect speaker for your event? Use our advanced search feature or contact us to get started today!
In order to view the below you must be logged in.
Taraji P Henson is a powerhouse in Hollywood and beyond, known not only for her award-winning performances but also for her remarkable work as a mental health advocate and social activist. A celebrated actress with roles in acclaimed films like Hidden Figures and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Henson has used her platform to […]
Kristen Kish was born in South Korea and adopted into a family in Kentwood, MI. At a young age she showed an affinity for cooking and, prompted by her mother, attended Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago. After culinary school, Kristen spent the next ten years in Boston honing her skills in several high-profile restaurants, ultimately becoming the […]
Sarah Schauer is a force of unfiltered humor and raw authenticity in the world of comedy. With a straightforward demeanor and a penchant for calling it like she sees it, Sarah has carved out a unique niche for herself in the digital realm as a self-proclaimed “Youtuber when I feel like it, Ex-Viner, and all […]
Marc Randolph is a veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur, advisor, and investor. As co-founder and first CEO of Netflix, he laid much of the groundwork for a service that’s grown to over 200 million subscribers, and fundamentally altered how the world experiences media. He also served on the Netflix board of directors until retiring from the company […]
After his initial shot at acting didn’t pan out, Andy Buckley was 5 years into his career as a Financial Advisor at Merrill Lynch, part of a team managing over $500 million in personal assets, when he got the luckiest phone call of his life – the offer to appear on the NBC comedy, ‘The […]
Dandapani is an internationally renowned and highly sought-after speaker who is revolutionizing the business world with his practical and systematic approach to balancing work/life challenges. His talks offer attendees an understanding of how the mind works so they can create sustainable changes in their personal and professional lives. He delivers keynote addresses all over the […]
Megyn Kelly is a distinguished journalist, political commentator, and media entrepreneur renowned for her sharp insights, fearless interviews, and unwavering commitment to journalistic integrity. With a career spanning decades in broadcast journalism, she has established herself as a powerful voice in American media. As the host of “The Megyn Kelly Show,” she continues to influence […]
W Kamau Bell is a sociopolitical comedian who is the host and executive producer of the Emmy Award winning CNN docu-series United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell. On June 26th he makes his Netflix debut with a new stand-up comedy special, Private School Negro. Kamau has a book with the easy-to-remember title The Awkward […]
These remain the property of its owner and are not affiliated with or endorsed by Speakers Inc.
All talent fees exclude VAT, travel and accommodation where required.
Our Mission:
© All rights reserved 2025. Designed using Voxel
