Tonantzin Carmelo

Who is Tonantzin Carmelo?

Tonantzín Carmelo is an American actress. Descending on her mother's side from Tongva and Kumeyaay Native Americans of Southern California, she grew up performing in an Native American dance troupe led by her mother, Virginia Carmelo. Branching out into acting during college, she has since appeared in theater productions and independent films. A graduate of UC Irvine. Her acclaimed stage roles include Anita in Exmagare, Christina Khalo/Paula in Frida Khalo, and multiple characters in Malinche. She is in national commercials and starred in the feature film King Rikki with Jon Seda and Mario López. Carmelo is a traditional Aztec dancer and pre-Columbian musician, recording 3 CDs with Canyon Records. She is an Emerging Voice with the California Indian Storytellers Association and a mentor for the Native Voices Youth Playwright Project. She has recently provided her likeness and voice for the character Kendra Daniels in EA's survival horror video game Dead Space.