She is known for her role as Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales on the Netflix original series Orange Is the New Black.

Born Jacqueline Chavez[5][6] in Queens, New York on August 8, 1986, Cruz grew up between Los Angeles, California, and Santiago, Dominican Republic.

[8] When she was 17, she was the victim of a car accident where she suffered a collapsed lung, fell into a coma and required brain surgery.

She and Kourtney Kardashian became friends after meeting in an art class, which led to further appearances on the series.

[8] Cruz was working as a model[3] and a waitress at New York City restaurant Lavo[citation needed] before she was cast as Marisol "Flaca" Gonzales on the Netflix series Orange Is the New Black.

[15] In early 2022 she filmed a starring role in the romantic comedy, "Things Like This", directed by fellow Orange Is the New Black actor, Max Talisman.

[22] In March 2022, Cruz announced on Instagram that she had welcomed her twins (a girl and a boy).