Few actresses make a splash on network TV and Broadway before their 30th birthday, but Lily Santiago is doing just that. Best known for playing Veronica Castillo in NBC’s La Brea, she’s also stepped onto the Broadway stage and landed a lead role in an upcoming Netflix series. This article separates verified facts from the myths that have followed her online — from her nationality to the lingering question about a twin brother.
Born: April 2, 1996 ·
Birthplace: New York City, New York, USA ·
Profession: Actress ·
Known for: La Brea (NBC) ·
Award nomination: 2023 Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress
Quick snapshot
- Born April 2, 1996 in New York City (IMDb biography)
- American nationality (Playing on Air)
- Played Veronica Castillo in La Brea (Popternative)
- Exact identity of spouse (social media hints, no public confirmation)
- Parent names beyond father Ruben Santiago-Hudson
- Full list of early stage credits
- 1996: Born in NYC
- 2021: Cast in La Brea
- 2023: Imagen Award nomination
- 2024: Broadway debut in Mary Jane
- 2025: Lead role in Netflix’s Untamed
- Netflix series Untamed (2025) (BroadwayWorld)
- Continued stage work (Broadway.com profile)
Seven key facts build a clear picture of who Lily Santiago is — and what remains unconfirmed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lily Santiago |
| Date of birth | April 2, 1996 |
| Place of birth | New York City, New York, USA |
| Profession | Actress |
| Known for | La Brea (NBC series) |
| @lily_santiago | |
| Award nomination | 2023 Imagen Award – Best Supporting Actress |
The table shows that the confirmed details far outnumber the gaps in public knowledge.
What nationality is Lily Santiago?
American heritage
Lily Santiago is American, born and raised in New York City. Multiple sources confirm her U.S. nationality: Playing on Air (theatre podcast) describes her as a “born-and-raised New Yorker,” and IMDb biography lists her birth location as New York City, New York, USA. Her father is the acclaimed actor and playwright Ruben Santiago-Hudson (IMDb bio).
New York upbringing
She attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts and later graduated from Northwestern University’s theater program (Broadway.com profile). No credible source suggests any other nationality.
Lily Santiago’s identity as an American actress is well-documented across multiple authoritative sources, making the occasional online confusion about her nationality a clear case of misinformation.
The implication: Any claim that she holds a different nationality lacks evidence and should be disregarded.
How old is Lily Santiago?
Date of birth
Lily Santiago was born on April 2, 1996, according to IMDb biography and Famous Birthdays. That makes her 28 years old as of 2024.
Age calculation
Her birth date is consistent across all reputable sources. The same date is shared by her twin brother, Trey Santiago-Hudson (IMDb biography for Trey Santiago-Hudson).
What this means: Age is one of the most reliably documented facts about Lily Santiago, with no discrepancies among tier-2 sources.
Who is Lily Santiago married to?
Wedding announcement
Lily Santiago appears to be married based on her Instagram activity, but the identity of her spouse has not been publicly confirmed by any major news outlet or official biography. Her Instagram profile shows personal posts, but no verified marriage announcement exists in the public record.
Spouse identity
No verifiable source names her spouse. This remains one of the few gaps in publicly available information about her personal life.
If she chooses to share more details, fans can expect an update on her social media. Until then, this is a genuine unknown.
The trade-off: The lack of public information means any claim about her spouse’s identity should be treated as speculation.
What movies and TV shows has Lily Santiago been in?
Television roles
- La Brea (2021–2024) – Played Veronica Castillo, a recurring role across all three seasons (Popternative).
- Untamed (2025) – Lead role as Naya Vasquez in the upcoming Netflix series (BroadwayWorld).
Film appearances
- Vineyards – Listed on her IMDb profile.
- Lackawanna Blues – Her first acting role at age 7, a brief appearance in her father’s film (Popternative interview).
Stage work
- Broadway debut in Mary Jane (2024) – An acclaimed production (BroadwayWorld).
- Additional stage credits include earlier performances during her training at Northwestern University and LaGuardia High School.
“My first acting role was a very brief appearance in my father’s film Lackawanna Blues at age 7.”
— Lily Santiago, Popternative interview
The pattern: From a child cameo to a network series to Broadway, Santiago’s career has moved steadily upward, with each role building on the last.
Who is Lily Santiago’s twin brother?
Origin of the rumor
Despite persistent online speculation, Lily Santiago does have a twin brother. IMDb identifies Trey Santiago-Hudson as her twin sibling, born on the same day — April 2, 1996 — in New York City. The rumor likely started because the two share a last name and are both involved in the entertainment industry.
Fact check
In an interview with Popternative, Santiago mentioned that her twin brother Trey reacted to the La Brea season 2 renewal news. This confirms the existence of a twin brother, contrary to some online claims that it was a myth.
“I decided to pursue acting after attending Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School for the Performing Arts.”
— Lily Santiago, Popternative interview
The catch: The twin brother is real, but the confusion between Lily Santiago and actress Lily James is a separate issue — they are unrelated, and the similarity in first names has caused mix-ups online.
Timeline
- April 2, 1996 – Born in New York City (IMDb).
- 2021 – Cast as Veronica Castillo in NBC’s La Brea (Popternative).
- 2023 – Nominated for Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress (Broadway.com profile).
- 2024 – Broadway debut in Mary Jane (BroadwayWorld).
- 2025 – Lead role in Netflix’s Untamed (BroadwayWorld).
Clarity check
Confirmed facts
- Born April 2, 1996 in New York City.
- American nationality.
- Actress in La Brea and Untamed.
- Has a twin brother named Trey Santiago-Hudson.
- Nominated for 2023 Imagen Award.
- Broadway debut in 2024.
What’s unclear
- Exact identity of spouse.
- Full sibling details (beyond twin brother).
- Parent names beyond father Ruben Santiago-Hudson.
- Complete list of early stage credits.
“I’m a born-and-raised New Yorker.”
— Lily Santiago, Playing on Air
Lily Santiago’s career is on an upward trajectory, but the public record still has gaps. For fans and researchers, the lesson is clear: trust authoritative sources like IMDb, Broadway.com, and verified interviews rather than rumor-driven profile sites. The confusion with Lily James and the twin brother myth are two examples where a quick fact check can save time.
tia.mlga.ek.gov.ng, fangirlish.com, imdb.com, en.wikipedia.org, youtube.com, youtube.com
For a more comprehensive look at her early stage work and family background, readers can explore a detailed biography of Lily Santiago.
Frequently asked questions
Does Lily Santiago have children?
No public information indicates she has children.
What is Lily Santiago’s height?
According to IMDb, she is 5′ 7″ (1.70 m).
Is Lily Santiago related to actress Lily James?
No. They share a first name but are not related.
What is Lily Santiago’s next project?
She will star in the Netflix series Untamed (2025) as Naya Vasquez (BroadwayWorld).
Where can I watch Lily Santiago’s movies?
La Brea is available on NBC and streaming platforms. Untamed will premiere on Netflix in 2025.
How did Lily Santiago start her acting career?
She began with a brief role in her father’s film Lackawanna Blues at age 7 (Popternative).
What award was Lily Santiago nominated for?
She was nominated for the 2023 Imagen Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for La Brea (Broadway.com profile).
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Victoria Hayes is Editor-in-Chief at Aussie Brief, overseeing editorial standards, publication decisions and corrections.