Is it more important to be liked or respected?

Not everybody is going to like you. If you resent me and don’t like me, I’m cool with that, as long as you respect me.

If you could be remembered for one thing what would it be?

For being the one who broke barriers for my people. I started my own production company, Unspoken Film, to change Latino representation in movies. Like [actor and activist] Geena Davis says, “If she can see it, she can be it.” I want my sister to see me playing an astronaut, not a thief.

Who or what is your greatest love?

I believe in loyalty but I have unconditional love for my dogs.

When did you last lie?

I tell the truth all the time, and that’s what gets me in trouble.

Does the supernatural exist?

Yeah. I died for a second when I had a car accident. I went through a windshield and had brain surgery. I was in a coma for 72 hours. I think survivors have a supernatural aura around them because they’ve gotten close to death and made it out.

OITNB's Jackie Cruz on the near death experience that changed her life