America Ferrera’s Role in the “Barbie” Movie Mirrored Her Own Marriage—Here's How

In one of the most highly-anticipated movies of summer 2023, Barbie not only brings Barbieland to life, but it also features several incredible cameos. For one, America Ferrera’s real-life husband, Ryan Piers Williams, actually starred as her on-screen husband in the Warner Bros. Pictures film. The movie follows Barbie’s (played by Margot Robbie) journey into the real world, where she meets Ferrera’s character Gloria, an employee of Mattel toy company, and her teenage daughter, Sasha (played by Ariana Greenblatt). The mother and daughter partner with one another to help Barbie return to Barbieland.

While leaving the real world, Gloria wonders if her husband would care that she left and if he would be fine without her. Then, the movie shows Gloria’s spouse practicing Spanish, completely unaware that his wife and daughter are heading to a different dimension. It turns out that Gloria’s husband is actually Ferrera’s actual husband in real life. 

At the end of the movie, Ferrera's husband also makes another appearance as her character Gloria's spouse. In the scene, Williams’ character is shown sitting in a car with Gloria, Sasha, and Barbie, attempting to tell Barbie in Spanish that he's proud of her. “Estoy orgullosa de ti,” he tells her. He also says, “Sí se puede,” which is a reference to Gotta Kick It Up!, Ferrera’s 2002 Disney Channel movie, according to Today. 

Ferrera managed to keep her husband’s role in the movie a secret, but she gave subtle hints on social media. On July 13, 2023, Ferrera promoted Barbie by posting a photo with her husband posing on a pink carpet during the movie’s premiere. “My favorite & forever Ken, you cute💙🖤💕,” she wrote in her caption. Later, some fans picked up on the fact that the couple brought their real-life romance to the motion picture. “Your real husband played your movie husband?!” one fan asked. Another commented, “I loved his cameo role he was so funny 😂.” Williams uploaded a similar photo from the premiere along with a supportive message to his wife. “I can’t wait for you all to see America in this film! 🔥😍🔥 #barbieworld,” he said. Some of his friends and followers flocked to the comments section to share positive opinions on his role after watching the movie, which premiered on July 21, 2023. “Can't lie, a certain cameo was the highlight for me 😉😁,” one person wrote.

According to The Cut, director Greta Gerwig wrote Gloria’s part with partner Noah Baumbach after being a fan of Ugly Betty. In October 2022, Ferrera told People that her children, Sebastian Piers and Lucia Marisol, weren’t aware that their parents would be acting together in the box office recording-breaking film since they are five and three years old. “They don’t really have any context for it,” the actress explained. “So, one day [they might care], but not now. They’re still too young.”

Ferrera and Williams first met in 2005 while the actress was a student a the University of Southern California and a rising star in Hollywood. At the time, Williams cast Ferrera in his first short film called “Muertas.” They started dating shortly after, and five years later, Williams popped the question. The following year, the two of them tied the knot. Although the pair is proud parents to two children, they keep most of their family life off of social media.