Ana Brenda Contreras (born 24 December 1986), also known as Ana Breco, is an American actress, singer and model. From 2010 to 2011, she played Aurora Alcázar in the

telenovela A telenovela is a type of a television serial drama or soap opera produced primarily in Latin America. The word combines ''tele'' (for "television") and ''novela'' (meaning "novel"). Similar drama genres around the world include '' teleserye'' ( ...

Teresa Teresa (also Theresa, Therese; french: Thérèse) is a feminine given name. It originates in the Iberian Peninsula in late antiquity. Its derivation is uncertain, it may be derived from Classical Greek, Greek θερίζω (''therízō'') " ...

''. From 2018 to 2019, Contreras starred as Cristal Jennings in

The CW ''The'' () is a grammatical article in English, denoting persons or things that are already or about to be mentioned, under discussion, implied or otherwise presumed familiar to listeners, readers, or speakers. It is the definite article in ...

's series ''

Dynasty A dynasty is a sequence of rulers from the same family,''Oxford English Dictionary'', "dynasty, ''n''." Oxford University Press (Oxford), 1897. usually in the context of a monarchical system, but sometimes also appearing in republics. A ...

'', a reboot of the 1980s series of the same name.

Life and career

1986–2014: Early life and career

Contreras was born in McAllen,

Texas Texas (, ; Spanish language, Spanish: ''Texas'', ''Tejas'') is a state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States. At 268,596 square miles (695,662 km2), and with more than 29.1 million residents in 2 ...

, on 24 December 1986, to Blanca Pérez and Efrain Contreras Puente. Contreras is of

Mexican Mexican may refer to: Mexico and its culture *Being related to, from, or connected to the country of Mexico, in North America ** People *** Mexicans, inhabitants of the country Mexico and their descendants *** Mexica, ancient indigenous people ...

descent and speaks both English and Spanish. She moved to

Mexico City Mexico City ( es, link=no, Ciudad de México, ; abbr.: CDMX; Nahuatl: ''Altepetl Mexico'') is the capital and largest city of Mexico, and the most populous city in North America. One of the world's alpha cities, it is located in the Valley of ...

in 2002 at age 15 to join the

reality show Reality television is a genre of television programming that documents purportedly unscripted real-life situations, often starring unfamiliar people rather than professional actors. Reality television emerged as a distinct genre in the early 19 ...

''Pop Stars'', in which she was a finalist and member of a group, ''T'detila'', who released an album with the same name. In 2003, she took acting classes in the

Televisa Grupo Televisa is a Mexican multimedia mass media company. A major Latin American mass media corporation, it often presents itself as the largest producer of Spanish-language content. In April 2021, Televisa and Univision Communications announce ...

's Centro de Educación Artística (CEA) in Mexico City. In 2005, Contreras portrayed Juanita Sánchez in her debut telenovela, '' Barrera de amor''. In 2006, she participated in a production of '' Grease''. That same year, Contreras played Claudia in the telenovela ''

Duelo de Pasiones ''Duelo de Pasiones'' (English: ''Duel of Passions'') is a Mexican telenovela produced by Juan Osorio for Televisa. The telenovela based on radionovela ''Flor del Campo''. It premiered on April 17, 2006 and ended on October 27, 2006. Erika Bu ...

''. In 2008, she starred in the film ''Divina Confusion'', directed by Salvador Garcini. From 2008 to 2009, Ana also starred as Violeta Madrigal in the telenovela '' Juro que te amo''. In 2009, she played Maura Albarrán in the telenovela '' Sortilegio''. That same year, she appeared as Marcela Garrido in an episode of the TV series '' Mujeres asesinas'' and had a special participation in the original Fox series, '' Tiempo final''. From 2010 to 2011, Contreras played the lead role of Aurora Alcázar on ''

''. She also played Carol in the musical ''

Timbiriche ''Timbiriche'' (also known for a brief time as ''La Banda Timbiriche'') is a Mexican pop music group. The group started as a children's group in 1981 and managed to evolve successfully into adulthood. Timbiriche is considered one of the most ic ...

''. Contreras later starred in the telenovela ''

La que no podía amar ''La que no podía amar'' (The One Who Couldn't Love) is a Mexican telenovela produced by José Alberto Castro for Televisa and aired on Canal de las Estrellas from August 1, 2011 to March 18, 2012. Ximena Suárez wrote the script based on the or ...

'' as Ana Paula Carmona from 2011 to 2012. In 2013, she portrayed Maricruz Olivarez in the telenovela '' Corazón indomable'', a remake of ''

Marimar ''Marimar'' is a Philippine television drama romance series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based on a 1994 Mexican television series of the same title. Directed by Joyce E. Bernal and Mac Alejandre, it stars Marian Rivera in the title ...

'' which achieved international success. In 2014, Contreras appeared in the Mexican film '' Volando bajo'', directed by Beto Gómez. That same year, she was host of the ''

Premios Juventud Premios Juventud (Youth Awards) is an awards show for Spanish-speaking celebrities in the areas of film, music, sports, fashion, and pop culture, presented by the television network Univision. Winners are determined by online vote at univision.com ...

''. In 2015, Contreras played the lead role of Verónica Prado Castelo in the telenovela '' Lo imperdonable''. She sang "Como perdonar", the telenovela's theme, on the soundtrack.

2015–present: Further acting

In 2015, she also starred in the movie ''Tunnel 19''. Contreras starred as Goyita Vera in '' Blue Demon'' in 2016, and as Alejandra Ponce in ''

Por amar sin ley ''Por amar sin ley'' (English title: ''Laws of love'') is a Mexican telenovela produced by José Alberto Castro that premiered on Las Estrellas on 12 February 2018. It is a remake of a 2016 Colombian telenovela '' La ley del corazón''. The telen ...

'' in 2018. From 2018 to 2019, Contreras starred as Cristal Jennings in the second season of

's prime time soap opera reboot, ''

'', in her first English language role.

Personal life

Contreras married Alejandro Amaya in a civil ceremony in Las Vegas on April 4, 2013. On May 14, 2014, she sent a press release announcing the permanent separation from him.

Filmography

Film roles

Television roles

Awards and nominations

Premios Diosas de Plata

Premios ACPT

TVyNovelas Awards

''
Premios Juventud Premios Juventud (Youth Awards) is an awards show for Spanish-speaking celebrities in the areas of film, music, sports, fashion, and pop culture, presented by the television network Univision. Winners are determined by online vote at univision.com ...
''

''
People en Español ''People en Español'' is a Spanish-language American magazine published by Dotdash Meredith that debuted in 1996, originally as the Spanish-language edition of its publication ''People (magazine), People''. As of 2009, it is the Spanish-language ...
''

References

External links

*
Ana Brenda's Biography
in esmas. {{DEFAULTSORT:Contreras, Ana Brenda 1986 births Living people Actresses from Texas American actresses of Mexican descent American television actresses American emigrants to Mexico Actresses from Tamaulipas Mexican telenovela actresses Mexican film actresses Mexican stage actresses People from McAllen, Texas 21st-century Mexican actresses 21st-century Mexican singers 21st-century Mexican women singers 21st-century American actresses