Melissa Barrera Martínez (born 4 July 1990 in Monterrey, Nuevo León) is a Mexican actress and singer. ... Barrera earned praise starring as Vanessa in the critically acclaimed musical drama film In the Heights (2021) based on the Lin-Manuel Miranda stage musical.

Did Melissa Barrera do her own dancing in In the Heights?

Warner Bros. Barrera said she had to keep practicing for the night club scene right up until the day of the shoot, and explained that her moves required her to do roughly three turns in one moment, while the dancers behind her had to do four or five.

Does Vanessa really dance in the Heights?

Though the character's backstory is fleshed out in the film, Barrera really “found” Vanessa in the long, strenuous rehearsal process. Her most challenging scene, which features Vanessa as the queen of the dance floor, salsa-dancing alongside some of New York's top performers, was a turning point.