Camila Mendes

Camila Mendes is an American actress who gained prominence for her role as Veronica Lodge in The CW's teen drama series Riverdale (2017–2023). Born on June 29, 1994, in Charlottesville, Virginia, she has since expanded her career into film and production, becoming a notable figure in contemporary Hollywood.

🧒 Early Life and Cultural Background

Camila Carraro Mendes was born to Brazilian parents, Victor Mendes and Gisele Carraro. Her father is a business executive, and her mother is a flight attendant. Due to her father's job and her parents' divorce when she was eight, Mendes moved frequently during her childhood, living in various parts of the southern United States and spending a year in Brazil at age 10. She is fluent in Portuguese and maintains strong ties to her Brazilian heritage .

Mendes attended the American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida, where she participated in the Fine Arts program. She later graduated from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in May 2016 .

🎭 Breakthrough with Riverdale

Shortly after graduating, Mendes was cast as Veronica Lodge in Riverdale, marking her first acting job. The series, a subversive take on the Archie Comics, became a cultural phenomenon, running for seven seasons from 2017 to 2023. Mendes's portrayal of the confident and complex Veronica earned her the Teen Choice Award for Choice Scene Stealer in 2017 .

🎬 Transition to Film and Production

While working on Riverdale, Mendes began exploring film roles. She appeared in The New Romantic (2018), The Perfect Date (2019), and Palm Springs (2020). In 2022, she starred in the Netflix dark comedy Do Revenge, playing Drea Torres, a scholarship student at an elite private school. The film was noted for its blend of teen drama and dark humor .

In 2024, Mendes took on leading roles in Upgraded and Música, both romantic comedies released on Amazon Prime Video. She also served as an executive producer for these films, showcasing her expanding role in the industry .

🌟 Personal Life and Advocacy

Mendes has been open about her experiences with discrimination in Hollywood, particularly regarding her Latina identity. She has spoken about being told she didn't look "Latina enough" for certain roles and has since made efforts to infuse her cultural heritage into her characters. For instance, she advocated for her characters in Do Revenge and Upgraded to have names that reflect Latin heritage .

In her personal life, Mendes has been in a relationship with actor and musician Rudy Mancuso since 2023. The couple co-starred in Música, which also marked Mancuso's directorial debut .

🏆 Awards and Recognition

• 2017 Teen Choice Award for Choice Scene Stealer (Riverdale)

• Nominations for MTV Movie & TV Awards, People's Choice Awards, and additional Teen Choice Awards in subsequent years .

📚 Filmography Highlights

• Riverdale (2017–2023) as Veronica Lodge

• The New Romantic (2018) as Morgan Cruise

• The Perfect Date (2019) as Shelby Pace

• Palm Springs (2020) as Tala

• Do Revenge (2022) as Drea Torres

• Upgraded (2024) as Ana Santos (also Executive Producer)

• Música (2024) as Isabella (also Executive Producer)

Camila Mendes continues to evolve as an actress and producer, taking on roles that challenge stereotypes and reflect her commitment to authentic storytelling.