Born in Tlaxiaco, Oaxaca, she gained international fame for her debut role in Alfonso Cuarón's 2018 film "Roma," where she portrayed Cleo, a domestic worker. Her performance garnered critical acclaim, earning her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress, making her the first Indigenous Mexican woman to achieve this honor. Before acting, she studied to be a preschool teacher. She is also an advocate for Indigenous rights and women's issues, using her platform to promote social change.