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Alba Flores
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Alba González Villa (born October 27, 1986), known professionally as Alba Flores, is a Spanish actress. She is best known for her roles as Saray Vargas in Locked Up and Nairobi in Money Heist.[1]

Key Information

Early life and education

[edit]

Alba Flores is the only daughter of musician and composer Antonio Flores and Ana Villa, a theatrical producer.[2] Her family consists of Romani performers, musicians, and actors: She is the granddaughter of Lola Flores, known as "La Faraona" ("The Pharaoh"), niece of singers Lolita Flores and Rosario Flores, and cousin of actress Elena Furiase.[3][4] Her paternal grandfather, Antonio González [es] referred to as "El Pescaílla" was also a Spanish singer and guitarist, and is considered to be one of the fathers of Catalan Rumba. She is Romani.[5][6][7]

Alba studied dramatic interpretation from the age of thirteen, with secondary training in piano performance. In her brief career onstage, she performed in a number of roles, most notably in Luna de miel en Hiroshima (Honeymoon in Hiroshima) (2005), and the Romani version of A Midsummer Night's Dream (2007).[8]

Career

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2005–2014: Career beginnings

[edit]

In 2005, Alba made her cinematic debut with Chus Gutiérrez's, El calentito, with Verónica Sánchez, Ruth Díaz, Macarena Gómez, Estíbaliz Gabilondo, and Lluvia Rojo among other performers.[9]

In television, she first participated in an episode of the series the El comisario in 2006. In 2008, she landed a role in the Antenna 3 television series The Ulysses Syndrome [es]. The same year she performed in the musical theater production of Enamorados anónimos (Love Anonymous: The Copla Musical in Broadway) helmed by dance choreographer Blanca Li and music composer Javier Limón.[10]

In 2009, she recorded her father's song, "No Puedo Enamorarme de Ti (I cannot fall in love with you)", for the soundtrack of a movie by Roberto Santiago's [es], Al final del camino, starring Malena Alterio and Fernando Tejero as the protagonists.[11]

She trained at the Corazza Acting Studio by the renowned acting coach Juan Carlos Corazza. She's one of the generation of actors of the studio, a list that includes Javier Bardem, an Oscar Awards winning actor.[12] She participated in the studio's 2011 theater play, Comedia Y Sueno (Comedia and Dream, the most beautiful lie).[13]

2013–2014: Television roles

[edit]

Beginning in 2013, she was cast in a main role as the protagonist's Moroccan servant, Jamila, in the Antena 3 series El tiempo entre costuras (The Time in Between), set in Spain and the Northern Protectorates in Morocco, following the Spanish Civil War. She then played an Indian woman in the movie made for TV based on the life of Spanish Missionary Vicente Ferrer. Filming took place in Anantapur, India.[14] This was followed by an appearance in the TVE series Cuéntame as an important witness in a plot involving corrupt police.[9]

2015–2019: Career breakthrough

[edit]

From 2015 to 2019, she played the character named Saray Vargas de Jesús, a Romani woman who initially faced a 5-year prison sentence for Assault in Vis a Vis (Locked Up). The show suffered comparisons to Orange is the New Black before the premiere due to similar prison setting, however, after the initial episodes, was proven that the two shows are different in themes in which Vis a Vis is more of a high octane thriller Drama and Dark Humor as to the Comedy Drama of Orange is the New Black. Considered a clever and thrilling breakout out hit by critics and fans alike, the show gave Flores her first breakout role in television. For this, she received her first TV Award, a shared Best Female Performer in Fiction Award with the female cast via Ondas Awards, a Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series Award for Spanish Actors Union Awards and several other acting citations.[15][16][17][18] In 2017, Netflix bought Global streaming rights for the show. With a strong following, the show run for a total of four seasons and an additional spinoff called Vis a Vis: Oasis premiered in 2020. Flores, who played an essential character on the main show had a special guest appearance in the finale to close the series.

2017–present: International recognition with La Casa de Papel

[edit]
Nairobi mural in Ehrenfeld, Cologne

While working with Álex Pina in Vis a Vis, the producer called her and asked if she was interested in joining his new show La Casa de Papel (Money Heist). She didn't go to an audition process. Instead, Pina wrote a role specifically for her as one of the bank robbers on the show nicknamed Nairobi, an expert in counterfeiting and forgery and the team's Quality Control Manager who's in charge in printing the money in Parts One and Two and overseeing the melting of gold in Parts Three and Four. [19] After the series was cancelled after its one-season run, Netflix acquired the show's Global Streaming rights late 2017, the cast was called back for production and since then Money Heist gained worldwide critical recognition, becoming Netflix's most viewed non-English series. Due to the massive popularity of the show worldwide, Netflix, ordered additional seasons prompting the producers, writers and cast members to return to the show. The series received critical acclaim for its sophisticated plot and engaging characters as well as winning several awards including best drama series at the International Emmy Awards. Her role as Nairobi brought her international recognition as well as numerous acting citations. She won a Iris Award for Best Actress as well as several nominations for her work as Nairobi.[20][21]

Other works

[edit]

She served as the Spanish narrator for the Netflix made documentary entitled Night on Earth.[22]

Theatre

[edit]

In between working in television she also performs in theatre plays. Some of her recent notable works are: The 2016 Spanish Representation La Rosa Tatuada by Tennessee Williams.[23] The Troyanas, based on the tragedy written by Greek playwright Euripides about the Women of Troy after the end of Trojan War. She played Políxena, the daughter of the King of Troy who was sacrificed after the fall of Troy. It premiered on Mérida International Classical Theatre Festival. Flores was nominated for Best Supporting Actress Award in Spanish Actors Union Awards for her performance.[8] The musical play "Drac Pack" written by her Vis a Vis co-star and friend Najwa Nimri and the Spanish version of La excepción y la regla by German Playwright Bertolt Brecht wherein she was nominated for Best Theatre Actress on Fotogramas de Plata.[24][25][26]

Theatre works

[edit]
Year Title Author Director
2005 Honeymoon in Hiroshima Esteve Ferrer
2007 Midsummer Night's Dream William Shakespeare Tamzin Townsend
2008 Enamorados “Anonimos" Olga Iglesias Durán Blanca Li y Javier Limón
2011 Comedia Y Sueno William Shakespeare, Federico García Lorca Juan Carlos Corazza
2016 La Rosa Tatua Tennessee Williams Carme Portaceli
2016 Drac Pack Najwa Nimri, Emilio Tomé y Carlos Dorrego Fernando Soto
2017 Troyanas Euripides, versión de Alberto Conejero Carme Portaceli
2019 La excepción y la regla Bertolt Brecht Catalina Lladó

Personal life

[edit]

Her father, Antonio Flores composed a song dedicated for her entitled "Alba". She was nine years old when her father died, two weeks after her grandmother, Lola Flores died.[27]

Flores is vegetarian and has campaigned on behalf of the Latin division of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, saying that, "You have to leave the animals off the plate".[28]

In March 2022 she was amongst 151 international feminists signing Feminist Resistance Against War: A Manifesto, in solidarity with the Russian Feminist Anti-War Resistance.[29][n. 1]

Filmography

[edit]

Film

[edit]
Year Title Role Director
2005 El calentito Amaya Chus Gutiérrez
2006 Los managers Chica Casting Fernando Guillén Cuervo
2013 Vicente Ferrer Shamira Agustín Crespi
2015 The Memory of Water Carmen Matías Bize
2023 Te estoy amando locamente (Love & Revolution)[33] Lole

Television

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2006 El comisario Sohara Episode: "Y dime tonta"
2008 El síndrome de Ulises [es] Arabia Salazar Episode: "Volver"
2013 Vicente Ferrer Shamira TV movie
The Time in Between Jamila 5 episodes
2014 Cuéntame cómo pasó La Chelo Episode: "En la boca del lobo"
2015–2019 Vis a vis Saray Vargas de Jesús Main role; 40 episodes
2017–2021 Money Heist Ágata Jiménez / Nairobi Main role; 34 episodes
2020 Vis a vis: El Oasis Saray Vargas de Jesús Episode: "¿Quién era Zulema Zahir?"
2021 Maricón perdido Lola [34]
2022 Sagrada familia (Holy Family) Caterina [35]
TBA Ulterior Ada [36]
TBA Romancero Tábata [37]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2015 Ondas Awards Best Female Performer in Fiction (ex aequo female cast) Vis a vis Won [15]
2016 25th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series Vis a vis Nominated [38]
2017 4th Feroz Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series Vis a vis Nominated [39]
26th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series Won [16]
2018 21st Iris Awards Best Actress Vis a vis Nominated [40]
27th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Supporting Actress in Theatre Troyanas Nominated [8]
6th Feroz Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series Money Heist Nominated [41]
27th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series Nominated [42]
2019 21st Iris Awards Best Actress Money Heist Won [43]
28th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Lead Actress in a Television Series Nominated [44]
7th MiM Series Awards [es] Best Drama Actress Nominated [45]
Zapping Awards Best Actress Nominated [46]
Fotogramas de Plata Best Theatre Actress La Excepcion Y La Regla Nominated [26]
2020 29th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Lead Actress in a Television Series Money Heist Nominated [47]
7th Feroz Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Television Series Nominated [48]
7th Platino Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Miniseries or TV series Won [49]
2021 9th MiM Series Awards [es] Best Comedy Actress Maricón Perdido Nominated
2022 30th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Stage Actress in a Secondary Role Shock 2 (La tormenta y la guerra) Won [50]
2024 32nd Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Television Actress in a Minor Role Romancero Nominated [51][52]

Notes

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References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Alba Flores

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Alba González Villa (born 27 October 1986), known professionally as Alba Flores, is a Spanish actress. Born in to and granddaughter of , she descends from a prominent in Spanish entertainment with Romani ancestry on her father's side. Flores began her acting career in the mid-2000s, gaining initial recognition for her role as in the period drama series El tiempo entre costuras (The Time in Between). She achieved widespread acclaim for portraying Saray Vargas, a Romani inmate, in the prison drama Vis a vis (Locked Up) from 2015 to 2019, and for her role as , a key member of the heist crew, in the international hit La casa de papel () from 2017 to 2021. These performances earned her an Iris Award in 2019 for her work in . In addition to television, Flores has appeared in films and stage productions, contributing to her reputation as a versatile performer in Spanish media. Her heritage and roles often highlight themes of cultural identity, though she has maintained a focus on professional acting over public activism in her core biography.

Early life and background

Family heritage and upbringing

Alba Flores was born Alba González Villa on October 27, 1986, in , , into a lineage deeply rooted in Spanish and entertainment traditions. She is the only daughter of musician and composer , who died of in 1995 when Alba was eight years old, and theater producer Ana Villa. As the granddaughter of flamenco icon —a pioneering gitano artist whose career spanned , dancing, and —and the niece of singers and , Alba grew up amid a multi-generational dynasty of performers whose influence permeated Spanish from the mid-20th century onward. This familial heritage, characterized by gitano musical and artistic output, immersed her in environments of live performance and creative expression from infancy, fostering an environment where entertainment was the normative professional sphere. Her early years were marked by direct exposure to her father's career, including his composition of the song "Alba" dedicated to her, which underscored the personal artistic ties within the family. Following Antonio's death, the household dynamics shifted under her mother's guidance in Madrid's cultural circles, yet the absence of alternative vocational models reinforced a trajectory toward performance; biographical accounts indicate she exhibited an innate inclination toward acting without pursuing other paths. While this legacy offered proximity to industry networks, her subsequent career demanded independent achievement amid competitive fields where familial renown alone does not guarantee success.

Initial influences and education

Alba Flores began her training in childhood, focusing on drama and music from her teenage years onward, which laid the groundwork for her performance skills. She emphasized rigorous preparation, dedicating six years to intensive study before accepting her debut , prioritizing practical immersion over formal academic paths. This self-directed approach, informed by her awareness of the demands of professional , shaped her technical foundation without reliance on traditional university . Flores attended specialized acting schools in , including the Escuela de Cristina Rivas for interpretation techniques and workshops on the Meisner method, which emphasize authentic emotional responsiveness and scene . She also trained at the Escuela de Corazza, known for its focus on physical and vocal expressiveness in theater. These programs provided hands-on experiences that honed her craft through exercises in character embodiment and ensemble dynamics, fostering readiness for professional demands. Family mentorship from her theatrical background offered targeted guidance on performance nuances, linking informal home-based insights directly to her workshop proficiency and enabling a causal progression toward debut-level competence. This blend of institutional training and familial input prioritized experiential learning, bypassing broader academic curricula in favor of skill-specific development verifiable through her early technical command.

Acting career

Early professional roles (2005–2012)

Flores debuted on screen in 2005, portraying Amaya in the Spanish El calentito, directed by Chus Gutiérrez, marking her entry into professional at age 19. This minor role in a production centered on Madrid's nightlife scene provided initial exposure but did not lead to immediate follow-up opportunities, reflecting the competitive nature of Spain's where entry-level parts often serve as auditions for persistence rather than stardom. In 2006, she secured guest appearances in two television projects: as Sohara in the episode "Y dime tonta" of the long-running El comisario, and as the casting girl in the short-lived series Los managers. These episodic roles, typical for emerging actors, involved limited and character depth, underscoring a gradual buildup amid sparse casting calls. By 2008, Flores appeared as Arabia Salazar in the episode "" of the adventure series El síndrome de Ulises on Antena 3, a role shared with family member , her aunt, in a season focused on challenges. This credit, alongside a musical theater involvement in Enamorados anónimos, highlighted continued activity but no lead positions, with only four verifiable screen roles accumulated over seven years despite her lineage from the prominent Flores artistic dynasty—father and grandmother —suggesting that familial connections facilitated access yet required personal merit for retention in a meritocratic yet nepotism-influenced sector. The infrequency of bookings points to industry realities where newcomers, even with heritage advantages, face high rejection rates and typecasting risks, demanding sustained effort without guaranteed progression.

Rise through Spanish television (2013–2016)

Flores gained initial visibility in Spanish television through supporting roles in established series. In 2013, she portrayed Jamila, a young Moroccan assistant who learns the trade of dressmaking, in seven episodes of the Antena 3 historical drama El tiempo entre costuras, which chronicled the life of a seamstress during the and eras. The series, adapted from María Dueñas's novel, drew significant domestic audiences and helped introduce Flores to broader viewers prior to her more prominent work. In 2014, she made a guest appearance as Chelo, a key witness in a journalistic investigation, in episode 270 ("En la boca del lobo") of the long-running TVE series Cuéntame cómo pasó, which depicted Spanish family life from the 1960s onward. This single-episode role further solidified her presence in national programming, though it remained minor compared to her subsequent commitments. Flores's breakthrough came in 2015 with her casting as Saray Vargas de Jesús, a main character in the Antena 3 prison drama Vis a vis (internationally known as Locked Up), which premiered on April 20, 2015. She depicted Saray as a resilient Roma woman serving a five-year sentence for assaulting a police officer, navigating the harsh dynamics of incarceration with a volatile yet resourceful personality marked by loyalty to her community and confrontations with authority. The role demanded portraying a figure from a historically marginalized ethnic group, involving intense emotional and physical scenes that highlighted survival instincts amid prison hierarchies. The first season achieved record viewership for Antena 3 scripted content, averaging 4.3 million viewers per episode with a 22.4% audience share, contributing to the series's reputation as a pivotal advancement in Spanish television production. Through 2016, Flores continued as Saray across the second season, which sustained the show's domestic momentum and critical acclaim for its gritty realism and dynamics, establishing her as a recognized face in before international expansion. Her performance in the role was credited with elevating the character's arc to one of the series's standout elements, fostering early among Spanish audiences for its unfiltered depiction of inmate complexities.

Breakthrough with Vis a Vis and Money Heist (2017–2021)

Flores continued her role as Saray Vargas de Jesús in seasons 3 and 4 of the Spanish prison drama Vis a Vis, airing from 2017 to 2019, where the character navigated complex alliances and personal conflicts within the prison system. Concurrently, in 2017, she debuted as Ágata Jiménez, known as Nairobi, in La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), portraying a skilled counterfeiter tasked with overseeing the printing of billions in euros during the heist at the Royal Mint of Spain. Nairobi's character arc spanned the series' initial two parts in 2017 and subsequent Netflix originals through 2021, highlighting her resilience, maternal aspirations for her son, and leadership among the robbers, which resonated with audiences for its depth in scripting and . The role culminated in her dramatic death in part 4 (season 4, released April 2020), where she was shot by security head Gandía after surviving an earlier wound, a plot point that intensified the series' emotional stakes and fan engagement. The global phenomenon of on , which amassed over 1.65 billion hours viewed for its first season alone and positioned it as the platform's most-watched non-English-language series, directly propelled Flores to international prominence, shifting her career from domestic Spanish television to worldwide recognition. This elevation stemmed from the shows' effective character development and narrative synergy, rather than ancillary promotion, as evidenced by sustained viewership metrics like 619 million hours for part 4 featuring her final major appearances. Her dual commitments underscored a period of intensive exposure that solidified her as a breakout actress through verifiable performance demands and audience metrics.

International expansion and recent projects (2022–present)

In 2022, Flores expanded her presence on international streaming platforms with a lead role in the series (original title: Sagrada Familia), created by and released on October 14. She portrayed Caterina, a complex family member entangled in a web of secrets and relocation to , alongside co-stars and ; the thriller-drama explored themes of hidden pasts and interpersonal tensions, achieving a 6.5/10 rating on based on over 3,000 user reviews. This project marked her continued collaboration with global audiences following , leveraging 's distribution to reach viewers beyond . Flores further diversified into supernatural horror with Romancero, a six-episode Prime Video released on November 3, 2023, where she played Tábata, a character navigating demonic forces, witches, and fugitives amid real-world social issues. Directed by aspects of the series' blend of fantasy and gritty realism, it premiered at the 56th on October 13, 2023, and garnered mixed reception with a 4.8/10 score from 1,300+ ratings, praised for its atmospheric tension but critiqued for pacing. Her involvement in such genre fare on Amazon's platform underscored efforts to branch into English-subtitled international markets, potentially mitigating from prior dramatic roles by embracing edgier, effects-driven narratives. Venturing into writing and shorter formats, Flores co-wrote and starred in the 2023 short film Malegro verte (translated as Good T'see Ya), directed by Nüll García, which depicts two estranged teenage friends reuniting in a shopping center bathroom after two decades, earning a 6.7/10 IMDb rating from limited viewings. Completed in June 2023, it highlighted her artistic evolution toward personal storytelling and was submitted for awards consideration, reflecting a deliberate pivot to indie projects amid high-profile TV commitments. Looking ahead, Flores leads the sci-fi thriller series Ulterior, announced in November 2022, where she executive produces and stars as a young singer awakening in a dystopian world altered by human connectivity experiments; produced by Upgrade Productions and Morena Films under creators Álex Rodrigo and Manuel Burque, it aims to capitalize on her Money Heist draw for broader sci-fi appeal, though no release date has been confirmed as of October 2025. She also features prominently in the Prime Video adventure-drama Punto Nemo, set for 2025 release following a March trailer, portraying a role in an oceanographic expedition to the Pacific's inaccessibility pole, blending mystery and scientific exploration with co-stars Óscar Jaenada and Maxi Iglesias; this follows Prime Video's strategy for Spanish-language originals targeting global subscribers. In September 2025, Flores narrated and presented the documentary Flores para Antonio (Flowers for Antonio) at the 73rd , directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Elena Molina, which chronicles the life of her late father, musician , using archival footage and personal insights to examine his legacy; screened in official selection on September 23-24, it received early acclaim for its intimate familial lens, with a 6.9/10 score from initial viewings. These endeavors, spanning and Prime Video's vast international catalogs, demonstrate sustained booking on major platforms despite genre shifts, though viewer metrics remain platform-proprietary, with projects like sustaining visibility through algorithmic promotion in non-Spanish markets.

Theatre work

Key stage appearances and contributions

Flores debuted professionally on stage in 2005 at age 19 in Luna de miel en Hiroshima, a play by Víctor Winer directed by Esteve Ferrer at Madrid's Teatro Arlequín Gran Vía, portraying a character in a to address themes of human resilience amid . This early role established her foundational training in live performance techniques, distinct from later screen work. Subsequent appearances included El sueño de una noche de verano (2007–2008), William Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream adapted and directed by Tamzin Townsend, and Enamorados anónimos (2008), directed by Blanca Li and Javier Malón, both in Madrid venues, where she honed ensemble dynamics and improvisation under direct audience scrutiny. Following her television prominence, Flores pursued selective stage engagements emphasizing political and historical narratives, prioritizing depth over frequency amid a prolific screen career spanning dozens of episodes. In 2019–2020, she led as the porteadora in La excepción y la regla, La Extraña Compañía's adaptation of Bertolt Brecht's parable on exploitation and moral exception in capitalist pursuit, touring venues including Teatro del Barrio in Madrid and Teatro Zorrilla in Valladolid on December 4, 2020. Her contributions extended to Centro Dramático Nacional productions under Andrés Lima: Shock 2: La tormenta y la guerra (premiered April 27, 2021, at Teatro Valle-Inclán, ), a documentary-style of pre-Civil War societal fractures through multifaceted roles, earning her the 2022 Unión de Actores Best Supporting Actress in award; and (premiered September 2024 at Teatro Valle-Inclán, running through January 26, 2025, with national tour), portraying (La Pasionaria), General Rojo, and Mika Etchebéhère in a 4.5-hour montage of the July 1936 coup and ensuing onset. These roles underscored her capacity for transformative, vocally demanding portrayals in ensemble formats, refining emotive precision transferable to high-stakes television characters while maintaining a output limited to fewer than ten verified productions over two decades.

Public statements and activism

Advocacy for LGBTQ+ issues

Flores identifies as a , as documented in the Spanish Ministry of Equality's "Somos Diversidad" publication highlighting diverse public figures. Her public stance emerged prominently during the height of 's popularity from 2017 onward, aligning with increased visibility for LGBTQ+ in Spanish media. On June 28, 2023, Flores co-delivered the opening proclamation at Pride's Plaza de Zerolo event with actor Omar Banana, stressing the essential role of individuals within the LGBTQ+ collective and the urgency of defending hard-won amid contemporary challenges. In her remarks, she rallied against censorship of LGBTQ+-themed cultural works by far-right groups like Vox, referencing the barring of playwright Paco Bezerra from public theaters and blocks on a staging of Virginia Woolf's Orlando, asserting, "We are not going to allow our culture to be taken from us." Flores framed as a site of ongoing resistance, declaring, "There is no ditch where they will be able to put us all together," and attributed rights advancements to collective mobilization over institutional promises, while calling for an anti-capitalist, feminist, and anti-racist ethos in celebrations. Her advocacy underscores personal experiences within marginalized communities, including her Romani heritage, as informing a broader push against cultural erasure, though she has tied these views primarily to historical precedents like the execution of poet under censorship threats.

Positions on political and global conflicts

At the 38th ceremony held on February 10, 2024, in , , Alba Flores publicly expressed solidarity with amid the ongoing Israel- conflict. Wearing a badge emblazoned with "Gaza," she stated during a that over 30,000 people had been killed in Gaza, making it difficult to celebrate the event. Flores affirmed her full support for Gaza, which had been under bombardment since the attacks of , 2023, and called for a to halt the violence. Her remarks echoed those of other Spanish actors and directors at the ceremony, who similarly denounced the conflict and urged peace. Flores emphasized the moral challenge of attending award celebrations while recalling the situation in , noting, "It's hard for me to come and celebrate anything without remembering what's happening in Palestine." This intervention occurred during a period of heightened international attention to the , where casualty figures reported by local health authorities exceeded 28,000 by early February 2024, predominantly civilians including women and children. Her platform at the Goyas, Spain's premier film awards equivalent to the Oscars, amplified calls for amid broader European cultural sector actions on the issue. No public statements from Flores on other global conflicts, such as the Russia-Ukraine war or tensions in the , have been documented in major outlets as of October 2025.

Responses to her views

Flores' advocacy during the 2023 Madrid Pride proclamation, where she described the LGBTQ+ movement as "antifascist" and criticized right-wing parties like Vox for alleged , elicited strong applause from thousands of attendees in Chueca and praise in progressive outlets for its combative tone. Conservative media, however, highlighted contradictions, accusing her of for decrying in an event sponsored by corporations such as BBVA and , which they argued undermined her message. Her February 2024 Goya Awards speech calling for a Gaza ceasefire and expressing solidarity with —stating over 30,000 deaths made celebration difficult—garnered support from pro-Palestine activists and media, with no documented professional repercussions or widespread domestic backlash. Earlier, her 2021 tweet condemning Israeli actions during Operation Guardian of the Walls aligned with prevailing sentiments in Spanish entertainment circles, contrasting with criticism faced by pro-Israel co-stars from . Overall, responses reflect audience polarization: enthusiastic endorsement from LGBTQ+ and left-leaning fanbases, with sparse but pointed critiques in right-wing publications questioning ideological consistency, yet no empirical indicates career harm, as her projects continued unabated post-statements. International reception, particularly in English-language progressive spaces, mirrored domestic support without notable conservative pushback.

Personal life

Sexuality and relationships

Alba Flores publicly identified as during a 2019 appearance on the Spanish talk show La Resistencia, stating directly that she is in response to host David Broncano's questions about her personal life. She has since portrayed lesbian characters, such as Saray in Vis a Vis, informed by her own experiences. Flores maintains strict privacy over her romantic relationships, with her account—followed by over 9 million users—devoted almost exclusively to professional promotions and artistic projects rather than personal disclosures. This discretion intensified following her breakthrough roles, allowing her to channel energy into career demands amid global scrutiny. Reports from entertainment outlets have linked her to a past relationship with Spanish singer Ondina Maldonado around 2018–2019, though Flores has neither confirmed nor detailed it publicly. As of 2023, she is reported to be single. In her family life, Flores is the daughter of musician and composer and theater producer Ana Villa; her father died of a overdose on May 30, 1995, at age 33, when Alba was eight years old, an event she has referenced as shaping her resilience but not elaborated on in relation to relationships. She has no publicly known siblings and descends from the prominent Spanish Romani Flores family, including grandmother , though these ties primarily intersect her professional heritage rather than disclosed personal partnerships.

Health challenges and privacy

In 2025, Alba Flores publicly addressed the long-term emotional impact of her father Flores's in 1995, when she was nine years old, through Flores para Antonio, which she produced and starred in. She described the project as marking "a before and after" in her life, enabling her to process unresolved and family stigma surrounding his death, including societal judgment over his drug use and struggles. This disclosure highlighted strains from familial trauma rather than clinical diagnoses, with Flores noting it helped her view her father as a man beyond the public narrative. Flores has not disclosed any diagnosed physical health conditions or industry-related issues, such as anxiety from fame or production pressures, maintaining a stance of on personal medical matters. Her professional output shows no verifiable pauses attributable to health; post-2015 breakout roles in Vis a Vis and , she sustained consistent work, including international projects through 2025, demonstrating resilience amid personal reflections. This selective openness aligns with her broader approach to privacy, limiting revelations to contexts that intersect with artistic or familial processing, avoiding speculative or unverified personal details.

Reception and impact

Critical assessments and achievements

Flores's performances have been praised for infusing resilient characters with emotional depth and leadership qualities, particularly in her role as Nairobi in La Casa de Papel (Money Heist), where she portrayed a meticulous counterfeiter exhibiting optimism, maternal instincts, and determination amid high-stakes tension. This characterization contributed to the series' ensemble appeal, with critics and audiences highlighting her ability to balance toughness and vulnerability, as evidenced by the show's sustained viewer engagement and narrative success. Review aggregates reflect strong reception for projects featuring Flores, such as , which achieved approval ratings of 100% for Part 3 based on 12 reviews, alongside an overall score of 8.2 from over 586,000 users, underscoring the quality of its acting and direction. Her contributions helped elevate the series beyond initial domestic viewership, demonstrating effective portrayal of complex interpersonal dynamics in ensemble settings. In terms of achievements, Flores's involvement in supported the broader surge in Spanish television exports, marking a pivotal shift where the series exemplified Netflix's push into non-English content and contributed to Spain-originated programming generating an estimated $5.1 billion in global streaming revenue from 2018 to 2021. This economic impact stemmed from the show's international distribution, which boosted investments in Spanish productions and highlighted the viability of character-driven narratives in driving viewership. While her range has primarily been showcased in television roles emphasizing fortitude, these efforts have solidified her as a key figure in the global recognition of Iberian screen talent.

Public perception and controversies

Alba Flores transitioned from relative obscurity in Spanish television to international icon status through her portrayal of in , which premiered on in 2017 and amassed over 65 million viewers in its first month for later parts. Her character's death in the 2020 fourth season provoked intense fan backlash, with viewers decrying it as unnecessarily traumatic and poorly motivated, amplifying her cultural resonance as a symbol of resilience and maternal strength. The fanbase spans global demographics, particularly among young adults in , , and , drawn to Nairobi's unapologetic femininity and defiance, fostering memes, , and petitions against the plot decision. Flores's public image has been shaped by her , which has elicited both admiration and division. In May 2021, amid Israel's Operation Guardian of the Walls in Gaza, she tweeted solidarity with , condemning military actions that resulted in over 250 deaths, a stance that fueled calls for boycotts from pro-Israel fans while earning support from others. Her February 2024 speech at the , where she advocated for peace in and a in Gaza amid the post-October 7, 2023, conflict, received a standing ovation from attendees but highlighted partisan rifts, with progressive audiences praising her platform use for humanitarian causes. Further polarizing her profile, Flores signed an October 2024 open letter with over 250 Spanish cultural figures, including , urging Prime Minister to impose an on , citing civilian casualties exceeding 42,000 in Gaza by then. Critics from conservative and pro-Israel viewpoints have lambasted such celebrity interventions as uninformed moral posturing that ignores Hamas's role in initiating hostilities and overlooks 's security context, contrasting with acclaim in left-leaning media for amplifying calls against perceived disproportionate responses. No major personal scandals have marred her reputation, though her refusal to retract characterizations of Gaza as an "open-air prison" in 2025 statements underscored her commitment, drawing accusations of bias from detractors. This duality reflects fame's double-edged nature, where her Romani heritage and feminist persona endear her to diverse supporters, yet geopolitical advocacy invites scrutiny amid entertainment's prevalent left-leaning tendencies.

Awards and nominations

Alba Flores has been recognized with multiple awards for her portrayals in Spanish television series, primarily in (La casa de papel), reflecting peer validation within the industry. Her honors include wins from the Iris Awards, Premios Feroz, and Premios Platino, often tied to breakout seasons of post-2017.
YearAwardCategoryWorkResult
2015Ondas AwardsBest Female PerformerVis a visWon
2019Iris AwardsBest ActressWon
2020Premios FerozBest Supporting Actress in a SeriesWon
2020Premios PlatinoBest Supporting Female Performance in a SeriesWon
2022Iris AwardsBest ActressNominated
Nominations have included the Actors and Actresses Union Awards for supporting roles in Vis a vis (2017–2018) and lead performances in (2019), as well as theater accolades like the Fotogramas de Plata for La excepción y la regla (2019) and 1936 (2025). These peer-nominated recognitions quantify her impact relative to contemporaries in Spanish media, though 's global reach amplified visibility beyond domestic metrics.

Filmography

Films

Alba Flores' appearances, listed chronologically, include the following:
  • El calentito (2005) as Amaya.
  • Los managers (2006) as Chica Casting.
  • La memoria del agua (2012) as .
  • Vicente Ferrer (2016) as Shamira.
  • Las cartas perdidas (2021).
  • Te estoy amando locamente (2023) as Lole.
She has announced roles in upcoming films, including Chaplin: Espíritu gitano (2024), Punto Nemo (2025), and Flores para Antonio (2025).

Television

Alba Flores first gained significant television exposure playing Saray Vargas, a convicted trans woman inmate, in the Spanish prison series Vis a vis (also known as Locked Up), which aired from 2015 to 2019 across four seasons on Antena 3. Her character was introduced in season 1 and became a series regular, contributing to the show's depiction of complex interpersonal dynamics within a women's correctional facility. Flores achieved international recognition for her role as Ágata Jiménez, known by the alias Nairobi, the team's counterfeit money specialist, in the Netflix series Money Heist (La casa de papel), spanning 2017 to 2021 with five parts totaling 41 episodes. Nairobi appeared prominently from part 1 through part 4, meeting her demise in the eighth episode of part 4 amid the heist at the Bank of Spain, after which the character did not feature in part 5 except potentially in flashbacks. She also participated in the 2020 making-of documentary Money Heist: The Phenomenon, discussing the production and cultural impact of the series. Flores reprised Saray Vargas in the four-episode spin-off miniseries Vis a vis: El Oasis, released on Atresplayer Premium in 2020 as a prequel focusing on select characters' backstories. Subsequent roles include Lola in the comedy-drama Maricón perdido (2021) on Atresplayer Premium, Blanca in the mystery thriller Holy Family (Sagrada familia, 2022) on Netflix, and Lea in the horror anthology Romancero (2023) on Prime Video. In 2023, she was announced to lead the sci-fi thriller series Ulterior for Atresplayer Premium. Earlier minor appearances include guest spots in long-running series like Cuéntame cómo pasó and a supporting role in the period drama El tiempo entre costuras (2013).

References

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