Actress, producer, director, and activist, America Ferrera left her mark on the film industry prominently indelible with her Oscars nomination following the delivery of an impeccable monologue in Barbie. The actress received widespread acclaim for maintaining an on-spot acting performance in a speech that summed up all the prejudice and judgments women face daily. However, one of her key strengths behind the cameras came as much from director Greta Gerwig as her husband, Ryan Piers Williams.

In a brilliant pairing along the theme of her movie, a look down reveals how the couple truly stands as one of the finest in modern Hollywood with their unwavering support for each other.

The 18-year love story of America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams

America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams share a textbook love story that dates back 18 years from 2024 along with a marriage of 12 long years and counting. In 2005, an aspiring director, Williams, cast Ferrera in his student film, Muertas at the time when they both studied at the University of Southern California. Sharing a passion for cinema and love-making, the duo’s first encounter soon started to blossom into something more as swirling romance gave way to the moving together in 2007 with potential engagement rumors filling the air.

In 2011, the duo eventually tied the knot at a private ceremony at Vanessa Williams’ home, who also happened to be Ferrera’s Ugly Betty co-star. The Barbie actress has remained vocal about her own passion for directing and found resonance in her newfound beau. Thus, they collaborated on several projects such as The Dry Land, X/Y, and even Barbie, in capacities both on and off-screen. Additionally, they also launched a non-profit, Harness, aimed at causes such as racial and gender equality and civil rights.

In May 2018, the couple welcomed their first kid, Sebastian, followed by a daughter, Lucia, in May 2020. Over the years, they have maintained a tightly-knit bond, sharing stories and posts dedicated to their love, parenting, and relationship milestones. While their social media posts remain full of their kids’ adorability, their 12 years of marriage and 18 years of togetherness have found profound prominence with heartfelt posts garnering attention every anniversary and on each Valentine’s Day.

A power couple collaboration

America Ferrera played a young woman haunted by the disappearance of her sister in her first-ever collaboration with Ryan Piers Williams in Muertas. The film not only landed critical appraisal but also paved the way for the duo to collaborate on more such projects in the future. Acting on the same, in 2010, Williams marked his professional directing debut with The Dry Land where Ferrera played the role of Sarah, the wife of a US soldier suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, a tale that won them several awards and nominations.

Moving ahead, in 2014, the duo again teamed up for an LGBTQ+ drama film titled X/Y. The movie had Williams both direct and star in it with Ferrera playing his girlfriend in a narrative that explored the complex relationships of a group of friends. Furthermore, as recently as 2023, the duo even made their screen presence in Barbie, with the 42-year-old director and actor appearing for a brief cameo while his wife stole the show.

The road and struggles in a joyous parenthood

America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams have largely remained very adorably open on details about their parenthood journey with their son, Sebastian, and daughter, Lucia, five and three years old, respectively. However, in their social media posts highlighting their gratitude for one another as co-parents, the duo has also braved several challenges along the way including harrowing ones faced during the global pandemic.

In past interviews, the Barbie actress opened up about a scary and stressful situation where she had to go through the later stages of her second pregnancy as well as childbirth during the lockdown, alone and isolated instead of the usual hustle and bustle of friends and family. Additionally, after the birth of Lucia, she showcased symptoms of postpartum depression, and the pressure of a working mother, given her continuing role in Superstore, left her feeling overwhelmed at times, leading to a work-life balance dilemma.

However, at every stage of her hardship, her husband came through as her strongest support. In many of those same talks, Ferrera also recalled Williams’ role as a hands-on and devoted father, as well as his humor taking her through the pains of hardship. Regardless of the hurdles and potential loneliness during the lockdown, the duo’s support for one another comes across as arguably one of the strongest examples of modern-day parenthood.

Harnessing change with America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams

The power couple went beyond their trysts with romance and filmmaking to try their hands at making a more direct change in society by founding a nonprofit organization named Harness, in 2016. Started in collaboration with fellow artist, Wilmer Valderrama, the foremost aim stood to voice concerns and fight for racial, gender, and societal equality while pioneering civil justice through storytelling. Moreover, it also connected artists, influencers, and organizers to amplify their voices and tell stories of the marginalized and under-represented communities.

Standing as the co-founders as well as active members of the organization, the duo has hosted several charitable events, including dinners, where a host of celebrities and activists gathered under one roof with the sole objective of making a positive impact. Additionally, they also combined their passion for filmmaking into producing and starring in a production titled Gente-fied, a comedy-drama series that explored the lives and struggles of Latinx characters in a gentrifying neighborhood in Los Angeles.

Ferrera and Williams have also partnered with several other organizations such as Voto Latino, Define American, and Time’s Up to advocate for civic engagement, immigrant rights, and gender equality. Meanwhile, Harness began its activities on full scale with three programs focused on racial justice, climate change, and empowerment of women and LGBTQ+ communities, respectively, in a move to improve the quality of life for marginalized groups.

Ryan Piers Williams as a multifaceted artist

Beyond his filmmaking and activism, Ryan Piers Williams stands out as a visual influencer who has made remarkable ingress with his projects on various themes and mediums. The 42-year-old has exhibited his work in several solo and group shows, where he has found winning reception. Among the many, a highlight of his visual expression came in January 2015, in New York City, where he debuted a Monsters & Landscapes exhibit featuring mixed-media works.

In October 2019, Williams premiered his second solo show at the George Billis Gallery in Los Angeles, titled Schismatix. Featuring a vast collection of abstract paintings, sculptures, and installations, the theme of schism, crafted an experience meant to depict the ongoing social and political situation in the world. The attendance at the show reached new heights and garnered a lot of attention, as many viewers found themselves in awe and resonance of the themes.

The Art of Elysium’s Pieces of Heaven in 2016 and The Other Art Fair in 2018 had Williams showcase his two paintings, The Divide and The Wall, respectively. All of such depictions had one goal – to capture the attention of individuals in the growing disparity highlighted in everyday conflicts that went largely unaddressed across the globe as a symbol of his activism through visual arts.

Behind the Scenes of Barbie: Ryan Piers Williams’ Cameo and Connection to America Ferrera

America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams took their real-life status as a couple canon in a brief cameo in 2023’s Barbie. While the former played the role of Gloria and won several laurels, the latter cameoed as her husband, which did not become common knowledge until the film’s release. Additionally, the couple and their kids toured along the team across various shoot locations in the United Kingdom, finally culminating in the power couple walking on the ‘pink’ carpet premiere together calling each other their “favorite and forever”.