With the release of 3rd season of Netflix sitcom “That ’90s Show” on August 22, 2024, the rising star Sam Morelos has become the matter of curiosity for her fans, specially regarding her ethnic background.
Key Takeaways
- Sam Morelos has a mixed ethnicity of American and Filipino, making her a Filipino-American.
- During her School days, Sam had the fear of missing out because of her Filipino ethnicity.
- But over time, she embraced her identity in its entirety and took her pride in being a Filipino.
Sam Morelos, well-known for her character Nikki from That ‘90s Show, was born on 7th July, 2005 in Los Angeles, California to her immigrant Filipino parents Francis (Beeboy) and Jenny Morelos.
She also has an older brother named Matt.
Sam Morelos has a Filipino-American Ethnicity
Sam’s ethnicity is a blend of her own American upbringing and her parent’s Filipino roots, making her a Filipino-American.
Although born and raised in America, Sam Morelos fully embraces her Filipino heritage and enjoys maintaining her roots with it.
She expresses her Filipino roots while addressing her family members in her native Tagalog language, calling her parents Itay and Inay, brother as Kuya and grandparents as Oyo and Oya (because her Kuya couldn’t say Lolo and Lola as a kid).
However, in an interview with Jannelle So in SoJannelleTV, Sam opened up about her school days’ struggles with her Filipino roots resulting to FOMO (fear of missing out).
“… But once I started school, I actually would throw tantrums if they (her parents) spoke to me anything but English. And I think that was some sort of internalized, even at a young age it could really exist some sort of internalized racism, I guess to yourself. Like I want to fit in… I want to fit in so hard that if I speak another language than my peers, than my classmates, then I am going to be classified as “other”. So, I push that side of me away…”
Via YouTube
But over time, she embraced her identity in its entirety and took her pride in being a Filipino.
Interestingly, her Filipino-ness has extended from her real life to her reel life.
In a Netflix sitcom That ‘90s Show which serves as the sequel to That ‘70s Show, Sam portrays the character of Nikki Verasco, who also happens to be a Filipino.
She shares one of her experiences during the set of That ‘90s show, where she could relate with her role of Nikki more personally because of the ethnicity that both shared.
“…I walked on and there were Filipino flags in Nikki’s bedroom. It was like very intentional. Just that small thing to see, not vocally but visually, that Nikki is proud of her heritage is just very Filipino because every Filipino person I know is proud and I think that is just something of the culture that everyone is proud to be of this community. I can say confidently that Nikki will always be Filipino because that’s just who I am and I can not pretend to be anything else…”
Via YouTube
Sam is also done with her upcoming Hulu film, Summer of ’69, where she portrays one of the lead roles.
Sharing her experience with ABS-CBN News about this project, she expressed her pride in leading a movie while being a Filipino.
“I feel a lot of pride, especially being Filipino and leading a movie,” said Morelos. “My heart [was] filled with so much joy. Just being part of this project created more opportunities for Filipino actors to have their light and to have their moment. It’s such a lovely feeling to be seen.”
Via ABS-CBN News
In today’s world, where culture and tradition are being overshadowed in the name of modernization, it is quite fascinating to see a young lady of 19 taking pride in her heritage and sticking to her roots.
Sam’s love and respect for her Filipino culture can be an inspiration for many who are struggling with the fears of missing out due to the ethnic identity they hold.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Sam is in a relationship with Warren Riley.
- In addition to being an actor, Sam is also a beautiful singer.
- She will attend New York University this fall, where she will major in Drama.
