Alicia Marie Sixtos forges ahead one role at a time.
Ready for the future because that’s what happens when one has brains, muscle, and a giant heart.
Oh, and did we mention she’s also beautiful?
By Elia Esparza
How good of an actress is Alicia Marie Sixtos? Well it took me months to call her by her real name and not “Maya” her East Los High onscreen moniker.
When the teen drama series East Los High (ELH) premiered in 2013, I had no interest in watching a show about teenagers and their unique brand of crazy drama. But as an entertainment journalist I forced myself to watch. To say it was a delightful surprise is an understatement. The new series introduced a cluster of untapped young Latino talent, and then Alicia Marie burst onto the screen like gangbusters as the troubled “Maya,” and I was hooked!
The on-screen chemistry between Maya and her love interest Jacob, portrayed by the hot young actor, Gabriel Chavarria, is sheer magic. And, I’ll go out on a limb here, but probably one of the main reasons ELH was such a hit was because of the fan likeability factor of Maya and Jacob. Everyone watching wants them together forever.
Season three of ELH premiered on July 15th and of course, I binged watch all 12 episodes. Happy to report the series does not disappoint and that Alicia Marie’s Maya continues to resonate with so many Latinas of all ages.
“Maya is back stronger and more driven and focused on her goals than ever,” says Sixtos. “There are some really interesting things that happen with Maya and Jacob in this new season that I’m sure will make fans go absolutely crazy!”
Alicia Marie Sixtos, Gabriel Chavarria
“I’m not running away, Ceci, I’m chasing my dreams,” says Maya on ELH3
Alicia Marie’s Reel:
Alicia Marie was born in the San Francisco Bay area to Mexican and Portuguese parents. She didn’t start out initially to be an actress – according to her mom she was a little rebel and active tomboy— a powerful softball player, a sport she played from age 5 through college. Alicia Marie is one of four sisters—two who are also impressive thespians.
At the age of ten, Alicia Marie became a print model for ad agencies, and then in 2005, her family moved to Los Angeles. It didn’t take long for her life to shift like a mini earthquake when she soon found herself cast in the indie film, Quinceañera, in the role of Eileen May Garcia. The movie went on to become a huge Sundance Film Festival hit, but best of all, this experience ignited her passion for acting. There was no turning back. She’s all in and she means business.
Today, aside from her work on East Los High, Alicia has a recurring role on ABC’s Family hit series, The Fosters. Here she portrays Carmen, a young lady wadding through life escaping a troubled childhood.
“It’s my third season on The Fosters. I love it because it is an edgy show and thrilled to be a part of it,” says Sixtos.
As I’ve gotten to know Alicia Marie better, I realize that there is something else about her that really caught my attention. At first I couldn’t figure out who she reminded me of and then as I’ve seen her in action earning her Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, it hit me! She has that raw natural talent like Michelle Rodriguez in one of her first films Girl Fight and a younger Angelina Joie in the 2001 blockbuster Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. Watch out, ladies, because Alicia Marie Sixtos can kick some serious booty.
Since graduating from her film debut in Quinceañera, Alicia Marie has also shined in High School (stars Adrien Brodey/2012), The Avengers (the Marvel blockbuster/2011), and The Custom Mary (2011). Her TV credits are equally impressive having worked on such iconic TV series as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, Lincoln Heights, Californication, King of the Hill, Entourage, General Hospital, 90210, and more currently on New Girl, East Los High (3 seasons), and The Fosters (3 seasons).
So what else has she been up to?
“I’ve been working on my Jiu Jitsu game pretty intensely for the last few months,” she reveals, “and have just recently gotten back into weight training and target practice. I’m looking to book a badass character that carries a gun and knife on the daily but is also ruthless without them. Gotta be ready for when the opportunity arises.”
I’ve no doubt that we will see Alicia Marie Sixtos star continue to rise and we will see her in action films filled with car chases, booty kicking and mega shootouts. And, best of all, she has ability to perform her own stunts!
Alicia Marie Sixtos can gut-kick and knee strikes as good as the pros! She’s a rising star. Keep an eye out for her.
Follow Alicia Marie Sixtos on Social Media: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Actress.Alicia.Sixtos Twitter: @AliciaSixtos Instagram: @aliciamariesixtos Snap chat: AliBeKoo
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