Cristela Alonzo Celebrates Pixar Breakthrough

Eight years after its June 2017 premiere, Pixar’s Cars 3 still speeds on in fans’ hearts—and so does the memory of one of its breakout characters, Cruz Ramirez. On June 16, 2025, comedian Cristela Alonzo marked the anniversary on Instagram, reminding followers of her double first: “I became the first Latina lead of a Pixar movie when #Cars3 premiered and the world got to meet Cruz Ramirez. It was also the first time I got to be a character that got a Funko (but not the last…so far).”

Cristela Alonzo Reflects On Cars 3 Premiere

When Cars 3 hit theaters, it charted Owen Wilson’s Lightning McQueen through a storyline about legacy and reinvention. In parallel, Alonzo—already gaining buzz for her eponymous ABC sitcom—slipped behind the wheel as Cruz Ramirez, an eager trainer with big dreams of racing glory. She brought an earnest warmth to the role, and her casting resonated: it was Pixar’s first time entrusting a lead role to a Latina performer.

The Instagram carousel Alonzo shared shows two images side by side: one of her recording session with headphones, the other of Cruz Ramirez mid-race. Fans also caught sight of the bright yellow Funko Pop figure that commemorated the character, evidence of how animation and collectibles culture intersect.

Impact On Representation

Latino audiences have long called for on-screen representation that feels authentic—and behind-the-scenes, studios have slowly taken note. In 2017, Hispanics and Latinos made up about 18% of the U.S. population, yet leading roles in major studio releases rarely reflected that diversity. Cruz Ramirez changed the conversation, paving the way for more inclusive casting in family films.

Alonzo’s milestone also sparked dialogue across social media. Under her anniversary post, fans shared personal stories of seeing themselves in animated characters for the first time, and collectors debated which of her Funko figures they’d snagged next—Alonzo has since voiced other roles and inspired additional collectibles.

From Sitcom To Stand-up To Streaming

Before Cars 3, Alonzo had broken barriers as the first Latina to create, produce and star in her own network sitcom, Cristela (2014–15). Born in San Juan, Texas, to Mexican-immigrant parents, she turned her small-town upbringing into a comedy career that led to late-night sets and stand-up specials.

A few years after Cars 3, Alonzo leaned into streaming. In January 2024 she taped her third Netflix special, sharing glimpses from her dress rehearsal at The Ice House in Pasadena. Fans followed along via Instagram post https://www.instagram.com/p/DK9_PZ3JTf2/, where she tagged #Standupcomedy and promised more stories from the stage.

Now, of course, she looks back at Cruz Ramirez as a turning point. That character not only expanded her résumé but also showed Hollywood that animated features could benefit from more diverse voices.

Eight years later, Alonzo’s milestone feels both nostalgic and forward-looking. She’s cemented her place in comedy and voice acting, and her social channels promise even more firsts—Funko variants included.

Trivia

Cristela Alonzo has lent her voice to characters in animated films, including Disney's 'Coco,' where she voiced the character of 'Lupita.'

Reporter

Ratika Pai

 

Ratika holds a master's degree in commerce and a post-graduate diploma in communication and journalism from Mumbai University. She has 6 years of experience writing in various fields, such as finance, education, and lifestyle.

Read full bio of Ratika Pai