Monique Candelaria

Monique Kathleen Candelaria, born on February 11 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the daughter of Carla Bernadette Castillo and David Robert Candelaria. Following her birth, her family relocated to Bremerhaven, Germany, where her brother, David A. Candelaria, was born. Monique also has two younger half-brothers, twins Ivan and Nathan Del Curto.

Her family's return to New Mexico came after her father became a 100% disabled veteran due to a brain aneurysm. It was during this time that Monique discovered her passion for the arts. At just seven years old, she began singing at weddings and funerals, although she chose not to pursue music professionally, instead keeping it as a beloved pastime. At the age of 15, she showcased her talents as a dancer on the local television program "Dance, Dance, Dance it's a Teen Thing." She later earned a B.A. in Theatre with an emphasis in Acting from the University of New Mexico in 2009.

Monique's acting career began with her role in the 2013 film "Bless Me, Ultima," directed by Carl Franklin. She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Lucy, the waitress at Denny's in the acclaimed TV series "Breaking Bad" (2012-2013). Her first leading role came in the feature film "The Control Group" (2014) alongside Brad Dourif, followed by another lead role in "Cents" (2016), where she played Angela Baca, a single mother navigating the challenges of raising a mathematical prodigy.