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Jillian Mercado is a force to be reckoned with, and that’s something the world got a chance to see in 2019 when The L Word: Generation Q debuted on Showtime. Generation Q welcomed several new characters, including Jillian’s character, Maribel, as a modern and more diverse continuation of the original series The L Word. Maribel is an outspoken lawyer who is fiercely loyal to her friends and family. She also doesn’t let anyone play with her. During her time on the show, Maribel has shown that being in a wheelchair doesn’t mean she can’t enjoy life as much as everyone else. Continue reading for 10 things you didn’t know about Jillian Mercado.
1. She’s a New York Native
New York City is easily one of the world’s most famous cities; countless people flock there every year to experience the city that never sleeps. Jillian was born and raised there, and it’s a place she’s always been proud to call home. It’s unclear if she still lives in the area or has relocated to Los Angeles.
2. She Loves Fashion
Jillian developed an interest in fashion at a very early age. She’s always loved expressing herself through her clothing and developed a great sense of style. Eventually decided she wanted to get into the industry. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and got the opportunity to work with major fashion publications.
3. The L Word: Generation Q Is Her First Acting Gig
Even though Jillian isn’t new to being in front of the camera, she is definitely new to the professional acting world. The L Word: Generation Q marks her first acting role. As of now, it remains her only TV credit. Hopefully, however, she will get more acting opportunities in the future.
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4. She’s Part of the LGBTQ+ Community
Being open about your sexuality can be difficult when you don’t fit into what’s considered the ‘norm.’ However, that didn’t stop Jillian from sharing that she is queer – and proud of it. After coming out in an Instagram post, Jillian wrote, “Over the course of this year I had the absolute honor to know people from all communities that make me me. That being a woman, having a disability, being Dominican, and finally I can add to that magical layer being queer. Although I’ve always felt at home with the queer community and when love is love I understood that I’ve always known. It’s so beautiful when you can truly feel what freedom feels like inside your own body and space your in”.
5. She’s Worked With Several Major Brands
Jillian’s love for fashion didn’t stop with her attending the Fashion Institute of Technology. In 2014, she entered the modeling world, where she got the opportunity to work with several internationally known brands, including Diesel and Nordstrom. She even got the chance to model Beyonce’s merchandise for the Formation World Tour.
6. She’s Passionate about Human Rights
As someone who is a member of several marginalized communities, Jillian understands the importance of representation and equal treatment. She is serious about several human rights causes, and she has used her platform to highlight the things that are important to her.
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7. She Loves to Read
Through her love for acting and fashion, it goes without saying that Jillian is a great storyteller. Sometimes, however, she also enjoys being the one to get lost in a good story. She loves reading and occasionally shares photos of her favorite books on social media.
8. She Likes to Stay Active
Some people may see Jillian and assume that she isn’t able to do much because she’s in a wheelchair. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. She is a very active person, and she loves to exercise when she can. Some of her favorite workouts include boxing and weight lifting.
9. She Enjoys Traveling
If there’s one thing Jillian will do, it’s getting out and see as much of the world as she can. She has been fortunate to do a good amount of traveling across the United States and other parts of the world. Some of the countries she’s visited are Italy and the Dominican Republic.
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10. She Was a Fan of the Original L Word
When the original L Word debuted in 2004, it quickly became a hit and Jillian was one of its man fans. Jillian told The New York Times, “I actually used to watch it under my covers when I was younger because my parents thought it was a little too risqué for me to watch, which got me even more curious.”