America Ferrera's Hunky Husband In 'Barbie' Is Also Her Real-Life Husband

Jul 26, 2023

Everyone who watched "Ugly Betty" knew who America Ferrera is and how magnificent of an actress she is. Born in 1984 to Honduran parents, America Georgine Ferrera is one of the most decorated actresses of her generation. 

Known particularly for her role as Betty Suarez in "Ugly Betty," Ferrera launched into mainstream popularity, which got her several awards, including a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, among many others. She also received critical acclaim for the said role. 

Aside from "Ugly Betty," Ferrera also appeared in various films and television shows. Some of her notable works include "Real Women Have Curves," "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," "How to Train Your Dragon," and "Superstore," among others.

Throughout her career, Ferrera has been recognized for her talent and contributions to the entertainment industry and has been a prominent advocate for diversity and representation in Hollywood. This is why it was quite fitting to see her in a movie like "Barbie" after seeing her in "Ugly Betty" for years. 

Ferrera joins an ensemble cast of actors on the Greta Gerwig-directed "Barbie" like Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, and Helen Mirren, among others. Ferrera plays the human Gloria, a Mattel employee who helped Robbie's "Stereotypical Barbie" in her existential crisis. In the movie, Ferrera has a husband, which was also played by her own husband in real life, Ryan Piers Williams. 

Keep on reading to know more about Ferrera's role in the "Barbie" movie and how her husband's cameo was especially important for her heritage!

"Barbie" is a fantasy comedy film directed by Gerwig and written by her and her own husband, Noah Baumbach. The movie, which is based on Mattel's Barbie fashion dolls, is the first live-action Barbie film after several animated versions.

The film features a star-studded cast, including Robbie as Barbie and Gosling as Ken. Aside from Ferrera and Williams, other cast members that appear in the movie include Kate McKinnon, Michael Cera, Ariana Greenblatt, Simu Liu, Issa Rae, and Rhea Perlman. 

"Barbie" follows Barbie and Ken on their journey to self-discovery following Barbie's existential crisis. The film is nothing like any of the other CGI animated versions that were earlier released. It is progressive, portraying a matriarchal society where all women are self-confident, self-sufficient, and successful. 

Ferrera's character Gloria is crucial to the plot of the film. In fact, after Robbie and Gosling, Ferrera was the next most important character. Ferrera's performance in "Barbie" was lauded by critics and fans, primarily because of her feministic monologue that got people wiping their tears in theatres. 

"It is literally impossible to be a woman. You are so beautiful and so smart, and it kills me that you don't think you're good enough. Like, we have to always be extraordinary, but somehow we're always doing it wrong," she said in the movie. "You have to be thin, but not too thin. And you can never say you want to be thin. You have to say you want to be healthy, but also you have to be thin." 

Gerwig revealed to The Atlantic that Ferrera's epic monologue even got men crying on the set when they shot it. Ferrera had a huge support system on her back throughout the entire production as her own real-life husband was also in the film as her on-screen husband!

Williams, Ferrera's actual husband whom she was married to for 12 years, is also an actor, director, and writer. 

The actor and father of two appeared briefly in the film, learning Spanish via the mobile application DuoLingo. Ferrera's character, Gloria, is evidently of Hispanic descent in the film. In reality, Ferrera's parents were from Honduras, but she was born in Los Angeles, California. 

According to an interview with The Cut, Gerwig wrote the part for Ferrera as she had been a fan of her since "Ugly Betty." 

Ferrera and Williams tied the knot in 2011 in Chappaqua, New York, at the home of her "Ugly Betty" co-star Vanessa Williams. They share two kids, Sebastian Piers, 5, and daughter Lucia Marisol, 3.

In fact, Ferrera revealed to People Magazine on October 2022 that her children did not know that their parents were on "Barbie." 

"They don't really have any context for it. So one day [they might care]. But not now, they're still too young," she shared. 

During the London press tour of "Barbie," Ferrera posted a photo of her and her husband on the pink carpet. 

"My favorite & forever Ken, you cute.💙🖤💕" she endearingly captioned the post. 

Similarly, Williams posted another photo of him and Ferrera on the same carpet; he said: "I can't wait for you all to see America in this film! 🔥😍🔥 #barbieworld" 

As "Barbie" raked in millions in its opening week, Hollywood, including Ferrera and Williams, stood in solidarity with the Screen Actors Guild – American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) and the Writers' Guild of America (WGA) in a strike against the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) for a fair contract. 

The couple, along with their "Barbie" co-star Ana Cruz Kayne held placards at the picket, as seen on Instagram. 

Are you a fan of America Ferrera? What can you say about her husband's cameo in the movie? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends, and other "Barbie" fans out there!