Carmen Corral, a trailblazing first-generation Mexican-American comedy writer, hails from the vibrant city of Chicago. Growing up in an artistic family, she was surrounded by the sounds of Mexican music, courtesy of her father, a welder by trade who moonlighted as a musician with his brothers. Meanwhile, her mother, a cleaning lady by day, pursued her passion for poetry in the evenings.
As fate would have it, Carmen's academic journey was marked by a series of sleepless nights and a pesky ulcer, which ultimately led to her graduating second in her class. She then received a full scholarship to attend UCLA, affectionately known to her mother as "Ook-lah." At UCLA, Carmen pursued her passion for acting, graduating with honors.
Following her graduation, Carmen's talent caught the attention of casting directors, and she landed various TV and film roles. One of her most notable roles was as Ben McKenzie's girlfriend on the TNT series Southland, earning her a feature in Latina Magazine.
However, as Carmen delved deeper into the entertainment industry, she began to feel a sense of disconnection from the roles being offered to Latinas. She yearned to tell stories that accurately represented her community and culture. This desire led her to turn her focus towards writing, determined to create empowering and authentic Latina characters.
Carmen's writing talents soon led her to create a web series for Flama, a Latino-focused YouTube platform owned by Univision. BFFs, a comedy series, explores the secret lives of 20-something Latina roommates, offering a unique perspective on the Latina experience.
In addition to her writing endeavors, Carmen worked as an assistant to renowned director and producer Seth Gordon, helping him develop TV and film projects. Her hard work and dedication earned her recognition as a NHMC Writing Fellow, a three-time finalist for the Disney General Entertainment Content Writing program, and a finalist for Tanya Saracho's Ojalá Ignition Lab.
Carmen's impressive resume includes three seasons of the ABC comedy Home Economics, where she served as a Writer's Assistant for the first two seasons and a Showrunner's Assistant for the third. She recently wrapped up her stint as a staff writer on the NBC comedy Lopez vs. Lopez.
When she's not donning her writer's hat, Carmen can be found dancing her way through life. A professional salsa dancer and occasional choreographer, she brings her passion for dance to the forefront.
