| “ | Women gotta stick together And tell each other the truth— The truth is you’re all fat sluts, And that’s called sisterhood! |
„ |
| ~ Valencia disparaging other women in her solo Women Gotta Stick Together. |
Maria “Valencia” Perez was the main antagonist in Seasons 1 and 2 of the TV Series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
She was the girlfriend of Josh Chan, the ex-boyfriend of protagonist Rebecca Bunch.
She was portrayed by Gabrielle Ruiz.
Personality[]
In the early seasons, Valencia is portrayed as a shallow, vain and narcissistic stereotype of Californian yoga instructors. She is viewed by Rebecca to be perfect, despite her outwardly callous and elitist opinions. When Rebecca’s obsession with Valencia becomes out of control, Valencia sings a backhanded song about various women in her life which showcases her shallowness and hatred towards other women. She constantly flaunts her bodily assets and believes that everyone wants to have sex with her, which frustrates her.
In later seasons, Valencia develops a more understanding and kind approach to Rebecca when she realises that she was only with Josh to be married, despite the fact they have little in common. She also begins to understand her sexuality more after this, indicating she has lost her shallow view of herself. It is highly implied Valencia had an eating disorder in the early episodes, which she recovers from later on.
Physical appearance[]
Valencia is a tall woman with black hair and dark eyes. Her hair is long at the beginning of the show, but she cuts it into a medium-length bob in later seasons. Her wardrobe also changes, initially wearing revealing clothing, which is swapped for more professional clothes as her story arc progresses.
Biography[]
Background[]
Valencia attended the same high school as Father Brah (who subsequently became a priest) in West Covina, California. The pair shared a brief love affair which was suppressed by both after his turn to religion.
At some point, Valencia changed her name from Maria Perez, claiming she never felt like a Maria. It is unknown if she met Josh before or after her name change.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend[]
When Rebecca Bunch encounters her former teenage fling, she is overwhelmed and decides to follow him to West Covina, California. Believing he is single, Rebecca attempts to meet up with him, but is ignored. Depressed, Rebecca goes shopping at the local grocery store, and spies Josh. However, Valencia appears and passionately kisses Josh. Rebecca feels intense jealousy towards Valencia owing to her looks and relationship with Josh. Rebecca tries to avoid the pair, but is recognized by Josh. Valencia and Rebecca have a highly fake interaction where the pair feign kindness to one another, resulting in Rebecca being invited to a yoga class instructed by Valencia.
In the class, Rebecca experiences a borderline personality disorder dissociation where Valencia and her class taunt Rebecca for being inferior. As time progresses, Rebecca tries to befriend Valencia, who remains standoffish and protective over Josh. After Rebecca offers Valencia legal advice, the pair bond and become closer. Rebecca’s obsession with Valencia spirals, resulting in Rebecca kissing Valencia in a nightclub. Valencia pushes Rebecca off, who, in a panic, reveals that she and Josh had previously dated (which Josh had dissembled).
After this, Valencia becomes increasingly hostile toward Rebecca and sings a backhanded song about many women in her life to elevate her ego. Valencia continues to despise Rebecca, until the pair meet at a festival, where she and Rebecca bond over their experiences and hatred for Josh. They are further bonded in their obsession with Josh's new girlfriend, Anna. The pair pay for an online background check to find out more about her. In their obsession, they waste three days stalking her, ultimately breaking into her eyebrow salon and injuring Anna's cat in the process. The pair believe that Anna is a drug dealer after mistaking a new white-powder concoction for drugs (which is instead a new cosmetic product), and try and have her arrested. This backfires on the two who accept responsibility for their wrongdoing.
As the seasons progress, Valencia takes a more supporting role to Rebecca and her ongoing journey with BPD, even being present with Rebecca after her suicide attempt. However, Valencia starts to show her former self by making Rebecca’s mental health about her, claiming it to be her movement to raise awareness. Valencia eventually learns this is inappropriate and ceases this.
In the end, Valencia quits her job and becomes a wedding planner, and gets into a romantic relationship with Beth. The pair move out of West Covina and start a new life.
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 villains
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Rebecca Bunch | Valencia Perez | Trent Maddock | Naomi Bunch | Silas Bunch | Nathaniel Plimpton III | Audra Levine | ||