Cierra Ramirez
An actress and singer who grew up on screen, shaping a decade of television as the thoughtful, ambitious Mariana Foster on The Fosters and its spin-off.
Born 1995 (age 31)·American actress and singer·Birthday: March 9·Millennials
Biography
Cierra Ramirez didn't just play Mariana Foster; she helped evolve her. Joining The Fosters as a teenager, Ramirez portrayed the twin daughter navigating identity, family, and ambition with a nuance that resonated deeply with viewers. As the show matured into the spin-off Good Trouble, set in a Los Angeles co-living space, Ramirez stepped behind the camera as a co-executive producer, ensuring the stories—particularly those about young women of color and LGBTQ+ issues—remained authentic. Her parallel music career, marked by soulful R&B releases, informs her acting with a natural rhythm. From a child actor in films like Girl in Progress to a creative force steering a popular series, Ramirez has built a career defined by artistic integrity and a commitment to representing complex, modern characters.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Cierra was born in 1995, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Cierra Was Born
The biggest hits of 1995
#1 Movie
Toy Story
Best Picture
Braveheart
#1 TV Show
Seinfeld
Cierra's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1995Born
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2000Started school
Y2K passes without incident; contested Bush-Gore election
Gas: $1.51/galHome: $119,600Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Breathe" — Faith HillBest Picture: Gladiator
2008Became a teenager
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Could drive
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2013Could vote
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2016Turned 21
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2025Turned 30
AI agents go mainstream
Gas: $3.10/galHome: $385,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"APT." — Rose & Bruno Mars
2026Age 31 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Portrayed Mariana Foster across 11 consecutive seasons of television on The Fosters and its spin-off Good Trouble.
- Served as a co-executive producer on Good Trouble, helping shape the series' creative direction.
- Won an ALMA Award for Favorite TV Actress – Supporting Role for her work on The Fosters.
- Received a GLAAD Media Award nomination for Outstanding Drama Series as a producer on Good Trouble.
Did You Know?
She is of Mexican and Colombian descent.
She released her debut EP, "Discreet", in 2016, which she wrote and co-produced.
She and her Good Trouble co-star Maia Mitchell are close friends and have worked together for over a decade.
She learned to play the guitar and piano to aid in her songwriting.
“I think it's important to use your platform for something that's bigger than yourself.”
