Raini-Alena Rodriguez (born July 1, 1993) is an American actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Trish in the Disney Channel original series Austin & Ally, Maya Blart in Paul Blart: Mall Cop (2009) and Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 (2015), and Tess in Prom (2011). She won Best Young Television Actress at the 2013 Imagen Awards.

Early and personal life

Rodriguez with her brother, Rico, in 2010

Rodriguez was born in Bryan, Texas. She is the older sister of actor Rico Rodriguez. She has two other brothers, Ray and Roy Jr. Her parents, Diane and Roy Rodriguez, own a business called Rodriguez Tire Service. She is of Mexican descent.

Raini was discovered at an IMTA showcase, by Susan Osser, a California talent agent. After viewing Raini's performance, Osser suggested to Raini's mother that Osser should become Raini's manager and come to California to give Raini a year for career opportunities. At the time, Raini was 11 years old. Her mother agreed. Raini and her brother Rico moved to Los Angeles with their mother, while their father stayed in Texas to run the tire shop. Their mother home-schooled them to support their careers.

On March 12, 2017, Rodriguez's father, Roy, died at age 52.

In March 2018, several memes involving Rodriguez went viral on multiple social media platforms where trolls would sarcastically label her as a "skinny legend" and compare her music discography, most notably her 2012 song "Living Your Dreams", to several uplifted and acclaimed acts in the industry, such as Beyoncé, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. Rodriguez was subsequently asked about her opinions on the memes on her Twitter account 3 months later; she condemned the memes and labeled them as a form of online bullying, stating that she chooses to embrace positive attention instead.[non-primary source needed] Despite Rodriguez's comments, the same people have continued to sarcastically praise her and continue to call her a "skinny legend". This has resulted in Rodriguez having to block multiple users on her social media platforms.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2007ParkerKid on Playground #2
2008Babysitters BewareMarco's Sister #1
2009Paul Blart: Mall CopMaya Blart
Slice of WaterMaggie Blumsfeld
GorditaTeenage Tatiana
2011PromTess Torres
Last Chance LloydTess TorresShort film
2012Girl in ProgressTavita
2014When Marnie Was ThereNobuko Kadoya (English voice)
2015Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2Maya Blart
Bob's Broken SleighWupsyVoice

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006HuffDeniseEpisode: "Black Shadows"
2007Handy MannyIsabel Montoya (voice)Episode:"Lost and Found"
Family of the YearMariaEpisode: "Pilot"
The Suite Life of Zack & CodyBetsyEpisode: "Sleepover Suite"
2010I'm in the BandArlene Roca2 episodes
2011–16Austin & AllyTrish De la RosaMain Role (87 episodes); director: "Rejection & Rocketships"
2011True Jackson, VPNinaEpisode: "True Mall"
The Tonight Show with Jay LenoHerself(Season 20, episode 46)
2015Growing Up and DownJackieUnaired TV pilot
I Didn't Do ItTrish De la RosaEpisode: "Bite Club"
2016Mutt & StuffGabby GroomerEpisode: "Skate Doggin'"
2017VampirinaCreepy Caroline (voice)Episode: "The Ghoul Girls"
2018–19The Lion GuardStarehe (voice)2 episodes
2018Double DareHerselfContestant; episode: "Team Rico vs. Team Raini"
2019Knight SquadThe Witch DoctorEpisode: "The Knight Stuff"
2019–23Bunk'dBarb BarcaRecurring role, 8 episodes
2019Where's WaldoMaria (voice)Episode: "A New York Minute"
2020The SubstituteHerselfEpisode: "Rico & Raini Rodriguez"
2020–22Jurassic World Camp CretaceousSammy Gutierrez (voice)Main role
2021A Tale Dark & GrimmGretel (voice)
2021–23RugratsGabi (voice)5 episodes
2024–25Jurassic World: Chaos TheorySammy Gutierrez (voice)Main role

Discography

Singles

As lead artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Living Your Dreams"2012Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta!

As featured artist

TitleYearAlbum
"Austin & Ally Glee Club Mash Up" (with Austin & Ally cast)2013Disney Channel Play It Loud

Promotional singles

TitleYearAlbum
"Vive Tus Sueños" ("Living Your Dreams")2012Beverly Hills Chihuahua 3: Viva La Fiesta!
"Double Take"2013Austin & Ally
"You Wish You Were Me"Non-album single
"Row, Row, Row Your Boat"2014Austin & Ally

Videography

YearTitleDirector
2012"Living Your Dreams"Unknown

Awards and nominations

YearAssociationCategoryWorkResult
2010Young Artist AwardsBest Performance in a Feature Film – Supporting Young ActressPaul Blart: Mall CopNominated
2013Imagen AwardsBest Young Actress/TelevisionAustin & AllyWon
2015Teen Choice AwardsChoice Movie Actress: ComedyPaul Blart: Mall Cop 2Nominated
Imagen AwardsBest Supporting Actress – TelevisionAustin & AllyNominated

External links