María Gabriela is a Venezuelan actress and singer who became famous through Nickelodeon before building a successful international acting career.
She earned recognition for memorable television roles, expanded into Hollywood productions, and later joined the DC Universe with a major role in Superman.
Her journey shows years of hard work, steady growth, and a passion for storytelling. Keep reading to discover how she turned childhood dreams into an impressive career.
Who is María Gabriela?
María Gabriela is a Venezuelan actress who has worked in television and film since childhood. She first gained widespread attention across Latin America after playing Isabella “Isa” Pasquali in Nickelodeon’s hit series Isa TKM.
This show’s huge success introduced her to millions of viewers and helped her become one of the most recognizable young actresses in the region.
Alongside acting, she also recorded songs for television soundtracks and performed during concert tours that reached audiences across several countries.
As her career grew, María successfully moved beyond teen television and accepted more mature and challenging roles.
She appeared in popular series such as Grachi, Yo Soy Franky, Deadly Class, and The Moodys, while also building a career in international films.
In 2025, she reached another major milestone after joining James Gunn’s Superman as Angela Spica, also known as The Engineer, introducing her talent to an even larger global audience.
María Gabriela Real Name
María Gabriela was born as María Gabriela de Faría Chacón.
Throughout her acting career, she has used María Gabriela de Faría as her professional name, while many fans and entertainment outlets simply refer to her as María Gabriela.
Today, that name is widely recognized across Latin America and Hollywood because of her work in television and film.
Early Life of María Gabriela
María Gabriela was born as María Gabriela de Faría Chacón on September 11, 1992, in Caracas, Venezuela.
She grew up in a supportive family with her parents, Antonio de Faría and María Gabriela Chacón, along with her brother, Gabriel de Faría. Acting became part of her life at a very young age.
She started appearing in television commercials when she was only four years old and soon discovered that performing was something she truly loved.
Those early experiences gave her confidence in front of the camera and opened the door to television roles while she was still a child.
As she continued growing, she balanced school with auditions and acting work, gradually building the foundation for a successful career in the entertainment industry.
María Gabriela Age
María Gabriela is 33 years old as of 2026 as she was born on September 11, 1992. According to her birthday, she falls under the Virgo zodiac sign.
Over more than two decades in the entertainment industry, she has grown from a child actress into an internationally recognized performer with successful projects in both Latin America and the United States.
María Gabriela Nationality and Ethnicity
María Gabriela is Venezuelan by nationality because she was born in Caracas, Venezuela.
She comes from a Venezuelan family with Portuguese heritage, which has often been mentioned in interviews and media coverage.
Even after building a career in Hollywood, she continues to take pride in her Venezuelan roots and often speaks about the country that shaped her early life.
María Gabriela Education
María Gabriela completed her early education in Caracas while building her acting career from a young age.
Since she started working in television as a child, she balanced school with auditions, filming schedules, and other professional responsibilities.
María Gabriela has not publicly shared many details about attending college. Instead, she focused on growing as an actress through years of hands-on experience in television and film.
Every new role gave her the chance to improve her skills and gain valuable experience in the entertainment industry.
After moving to Los Angeles to pursue international opportunities, she also spent time improving her English and strengthening her acting abilities.
Those efforts helped her transition from successful Latin American productions to English-language television series and Hollywood films.
Early Career in Venezuelan Television (1997–2007)
María Gabriela entered the entertainment industry at a very young age after appearing in television commercials. Those early opportunities helped her gain experience before moving into television dramas.
She appeared in productions such as Trapos Íntimos, La Señora de Cárdenas, Ser Bonita No Basta, Túkiti, Crecí de Una, and Toda una Dama.
During this period, she also worked as a co-host on the children’s television program La Merienda, where she became familiar with live television and connected with younger audiences across Venezuela.
Breakthrough with Isa TKM (2008–2010)
María Gabriela achieved international fame after starring as Isabella “Isa” Pasquali in Nickelodeon’s Isa TKM.
This series quickly became one of the network’s biggest successes in Latin America and reached viewers in more than twenty countries.
Her performance turned her into a household name and inspired what many fans called Isa-Mania.
Along with acting, she recorded songs for the show’s soundtrack, performed during concert tours, and became one of Nickelodeon’s most popular young stars.
Success continued with the sequel series Isa TK+, which further strengthened her popularity and earned several Kids’ Choice Award nominations and wins.
Success Beyond Nickelodeon (2011–2018)
Rather than remaining known only for teen television, María Gabriela accepted a variety of new roles that allowed her to show different sides of her acting ability.
She joined the cast of Grachi as Mía Novoa, a role that introduced her as one of the series’ memorable villains.
She later starred in La Virgen de la Calle and played the title character in Nickelodeon’s science-fiction series Yo Soy Franky, which became another major success throughout Latin America.
During these years, she also expanded into films with projects such as El Paseo 2, Crossing Point, and Plan V, gaining valuable experience in both Spanish- and English-language productions.
Hollywood Career and International Recognition (2019–Present)
María Gabriela continued expanding her career after moving to the United States and pursuing opportunities in Hollywood.
She earned praise for playing Maria Salazar in Syfy’s Deadly Class, followed by roles in the comedy series The Moodys and other international productions.
Working in English-language television introduced her to a broader audience and opened new opportunities within the global entertainment industry.
She also continued appearing in independent films while building a reputation as a versatile actress capable of handling action, drama, comedy, and thriller roles.
Joining the DC Universe with Superman (2025–Present)
One of the biggest milestones in María Gabriela’s career arrived when James Gunn selected her to play Angela Spica, better known as The Engineer, in Superman (2025).
To prepare for the physically demanding role, she completed extensive strength training and worked closely with the production team to understand the character’s emotional and physical transformation.
The film introduced her to millions of new viewers around the world and marked a major step forward in her international career.
Following the success of Superman, she continued working on new film projects while remaining one of the most recognizable Venezuelan actresses in Hollywood.
María Gabriela Movies and TV Shows
María Gabriela has appeared in many successful television series and films throughout her career. Below are some of her most notable movies and TV shows.
Movies
- El Paseo 2 (2012) – Natalia Calvo
- Crossing Point (2016) – Olivia Durán
- Pacífico (2016) – Erika
- Plan V (2018) – Fernanda
- The Exorcism of God (2021) – Esperanza
- R#J (2021) – Nancy
- The Duel (2023)
- Otra (2026)
- Superman (2025) – Angela Spica / The Engineer
TV Shows
- Trapos Íntimos (2002) – María Lobo Andueza
- La Señora de Cárdenas (2003)
- Ser Bonita No Basta (2005) – Andreína Márquez
- Túkiti, Crecí de Una
- Toda una Dama (2007) – Helena Trujillo Laya
- Isa TKM (2008–2009) – Isabella “Isa” Pasquali
- Isa TK+ (2009–2010) – Isabella “Isa” Pasquali
- Grachi (2011–2013) – Mía Novoa
- La Virgen de la Calle (2014) – Juana Pérez
- Yo Soy Franky (2015–2016) – Franky Andrade
- Vikki RPM (2017) – Francesca Ortiz
- Deadly Class (2019) – Maria Salazar
- The Moodys (2019–2021) – Cora
- Animal Control (2025)
Who is the Venezuelan Actress in Superman Movie?
María Gabriela is the Venezuelan actress who plays Angela Spica, also known as The Engineer, in James Gunn’s Superman (2025).
This role marked one of the biggest achievements of her career and introduced her to audiences around the world through the DC Universe.
She spent several months preparing for the character with intensive physical training while working closely with the creative team to understand both the emotional and action-driven aspects of the role.
Her performance received attention for bringing one of DC Comics’ lesser-known characters to the big screen.
What Languages does María Gabriela Speak?
María Gabriela speaks Spanish and English. Spanish is her native language because she was born and raised in Venezuela.
After moving to Los Angeles to pursue an international acting career, she dedicated time to improving her English, allowing her to work comfortably in Hollywood television series and films.
Today, she performs professionally in both languages and continues working on projects for audiences across different countries.
María Gabriela Husband
María Gabriela is married to Christian McGaffney, a Venezuelan actor known for his work in television and film.
The couple dated for several years before getting engaged and later exchanged wedding vows on January 18, 2020, during a private ceremony attended by close family and friends.
Since then, they have continued supporting each other’s careers while sharing moments from their personal lives through social media.
After building successful acting careers in different countries, they eventually settled in Los Angeles, California, where they live together with their pets.
María Gabriela has often spoken about the importance of having a supportive partner, especially while balancing demanding filming schedules and international projects.
Although both enjoy public careers, they prefer to keep many parts of their married life private and focus on spending quality time together whenever their schedules allow.
As of 2026, the couple has not publicly announced having children.
María Gabriela Net Worth
María Gabriela has an estimated net worth of around $3 million as of 2026. She has built her wealth through a successful acting career that spans more than two decades across Latin America and Hollywood.
Her television series remain one of her biggest sources of income, with leading roles in productions such as Isa TKM, Grachi, Yo Soy Franky, Deadly Class, The Moodys, and Superman.
She also earns money from films, public appearances, brand partnerships, voice work, and promotional campaigns.
In addition to acting, María Gabriela has recorded songs for television soundtracks and performed during live concert tours, which have contributed to her overall earnings.
As her international career continues to grow, she remains one of Venezuela’s most successful actresses working in global entertainment.
María Gabriela Height and Weight
María Gabriela stands approximately 5 feet 3 inches, which is equal to 160 centimeters or 1.60 meters tall and weighs around 110 pounds, which is equal to 50 kilograms.
She has a slim and athletic physique that she maintains through regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle.
To prepare for physically demanding roles, especially Angela Spica / The Engineer in Superman, she completed months of strength training and fitness preparation.
She has naturally dark brown hair, expressive green eyes, and a warm smile that audiences have recognized throughout her career.
Whether appearing on the red carpet, attending film premieres, or performing on screen, María Gabriela is known for her elegant fashion choices that combine classic style with modern trends.
Her confident personality and natural screen presence continue to make her one of the most recognizable Venezuelan actresses working internationally.
Social Media Presence
María Gabriela stays active on Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, where she connects with millions of followers from around the world.
She regularly shares behind-the-scenes moments from film productions, red carpet appearances, travel experiences, and updates about upcoming projects.
Her social media also highlights her love for animals, environmental causes, and everyday life with her husband and pets.
Through these platforms, she gives fans a closer look at both her professional journey and personal interests while promoting new television series, films, and interviews.
What are Some Interesting Facts About María Gabriela?
- María Gabriela was nominated for 13 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards during her career and won several awards in different countries.
- She served as a juror at the 2019 Viña del Mar International Song Festival, one of Latin America’s most prestigious music festivals.
- Her performance in Grachi as Mía Novoa became one of her first major villain roles and showed a different side of her acting abilities.
- Before focusing entirely on acting, she also worked as a co-host of the Venezuelan children’s television program La Merienda.
- She enjoys fitness and often follows structured workout routines to prepare for physically demanding roles.
- María has lived and worked in both Venezuela and the United States, allowing her to build a successful career in both Latin American and Hollywood productions.
- She has often described storytelling as one of her biggest passions and enjoys taking on roles that challenge her as an actress.
Conclusion
Every successful career begins with a dream, and María Gabriela has shown how dedication and patience can turn that dream into reality.
From appearing in television commercials as a young child to becoming a Nickelodeon star and later joining the DC Universe, she has continued challenging herself with new opportunities at every stage of her career.
Her journey also highlights the importance of adapting to change, learning new skills, and staying true to personal values while working in a competitive industry.
Thanks for spending time exploring her story, and don’t forget to share your favorite María Gabriela role or memorable performance in the comments below.