Sara Ramirez, a multifaceted American actor, has captivated audiences with their performances on Broadway, television, and film. Best known for their roles as Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy and Che Diaz in the Sex and the City revival, And Just Like That…, Ramirez has also become an outspoken advocate for LGBTQ+ rights and body acceptance. This article explores Ramirez's career, focusing on their journey toward self-acceptance and body confidence, as well as their experiences navigating the entertainment industry.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born in Mazatlán, Sinaloa, Mexico, on August 31, 1975, Sara Elena Ramírez Vargas began their acting career on Broadway. While still a student at Juilliard, Ramirez was cast in Paul Simon's 1998 musical The Capeman. Although the production received negative reviews, it marked the beginning of Ramirez's professional acting career. In 1999, Ramirez lent their voice to the character of Lammy, the anxious guitarist, in the video game Um Jammer Lammy. They garnered praise for their performance in The Gershwins' Fascinating Rhythm (1999), receiving an Outer Critics Circle Award nomination.
Breakthrough Role: Callie Torres on Grey's Anatomy
After success on Broadway, Ramírez joined the cast of the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy in its second season. Originally a recurring character, Dr. Callie Torres became a series regular in the third season. Ramirez's portrayal of Callie, one of the longest-running LGBT characters in US television history, earned them widespread acclaim. The character's bisexuality, added at Ramírez's suggestion, was one of the earliest series regular queer roles on primetime television. Ramirez showcased their vocal talent in the show's sixth-season episode "Holidaze," providing a cappella vocals for "Silent Night." They also took center stage in the musical episode "Song Beneath the Song." After a decade on Grey's Anatomy, Ramírez left the show in 2016.
Transition to Madam Secretary and And Just Like That…
Following their departure from Grey's Anatomy, Ramírez turned to producing, with the 2016 teen comedy film, Loserville. From 2017 to 2019, Ramírez co-starred in the CBS political drama Madam Secretary. In 2021, Ramírez joined the cast of the Sex and the City revival, And Just Like That…, as Che Diaz, a non-binary podcast host and comedian.
Che Diaz: A Non-Binary Character in the Spotlight
The introduction of Che Diaz in And Just Like That… has been met with mixed reactions. Some viewers have criticized the character, while others have praised the show's attempt to represent diverse identities. Ramirez has spoken about their experience playing Che, emphasizing the character's unapologetic truth and authenticity. Che speaks their unapologetic truth. Che is someone who came into their own nonbinary identity later in life, so they have accumulated a lived experience that includes some un-conditioning around fitting into the gender of “woman” in society. They have a very particular experience of life, and they show up as their most authentic self. They understand that life is nonlinear. They are not really interested in conforming to mainstream narratives, and they’re aware of how they disrupt the mainstream narrative simply with their own existence. They’re very self-aware as a performer, as a stand-up comedian. They can read the room. They are very quick on their feet, they are witty, they are funny, they’re smart. They are messy. They’re human. And I love, in particular, how they inspire some of the other characters to question their own internalized oppressions.
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Ramirez has also discussed the collaborative process of creating Che's distinct look, emphasizing the importance of comfort and self-expression through fashion. Michael Patrick King was very clear with me that this would be a collaborative process, and that my ideas and thoughts were welcome, so we agreed that the haircut that he saw in my Instagram posts as of late would be it. As far as the clothing goes, when I first met with the costume designers, they asked me, “What feels good on your body? What do you feel comfortable wearing?” And I really appreciated that, because so much of the time we can feel pressure to squeeze ourselves into a performance of gender through gendered fashion. Through the years, I’ve kind of been able to free myself up from that, and really just wear what I want to wear, regardless of how fashion has gendered a piece of clothing. I suggested brands and items that I wear in my daily life, and they kind of started there. When we first meet Che, we see them wearing things that I would probably wear in life, and as the season progresses, you’re going to see that wardrobe become more elevated and see them evolve into a bit more of a fashionista. Che likes to be comfortable and fashionable, and they don’t really mind getting a little bit of attention. Michael Patrick King and the costume designers and I had several conversations and agreed that if the women get to be fashionable and fashion-forward and elevated, then Che should get the same.
Body Confidence Journey
Ramirez has been open about their journey toward body confidence, sharing their experiences with body dysmorphia and disordered eating. They have emphasized the importance of self-acceptance and self-care, focusing on building strength and nourishing their body through exercise. Well, you know, I’m human. I have my days where I’m really hard on myself, and I have days where I experience body dysmorphia and I lose a grounded perspective on what I actually look like. I grew up with a lot of different issues around body and weight and food and eating disorders, as have a lot of people, and that absolutely can manifest in how we perceive our own bodies. But I’m learning-still, at this age-how to love my body, and how to accept my body. Finding balance is not always easy, but I find that the more work I do on my inner self and my inner healing, the more it’s reflected in how I treat my body, and that ultimately looks like developing a healthy relationship with oneself. It doesn’t really involve guilt or shame. It involves acceptance, and embracing how I feel in each moment and really honoring those feelings. It also involves going and working out without trying to please someone else or looking for approval. There was a time when I was younger when I would put my body through things-whether it was diets or exercise-that felt like punishment, and these days, when I go to work out, it’s something I’m doing for myself. That’s a whole different approach to nourishing and nurturing my body. It’s about building strength, and I am getting older! I want to be able to walk for long periods of time; I love walking around New York City, and the city requires a lot of movement from me if I want to do the things that I want to do and experience the kinds of things I want to experience and visit the people I love. So I want to make sure that my body can keep moving and feel as comfortable as I can while moving it, and that requires building muscle and cardiovascular exercise.
Ramirez's insights into body image and self-acceptance have resonated with many, inspiring others to embrace their own bodies and prioritize their well-being.
Activism and Advocacy
Beyond their acting career, Ramirez is a dedicated activist for LGBTQ+ rights. They came out as bisexual in 2016 and later as non-binary, using they/them pronouns. Ramirez has been involved with organizations such as True Colors United and The Task Force, advocating for LGBTQ+ equality and inclusion. Their extensive campaigns for LGBT rights won the Ally for Equality Award from the Human Rights Campaign Foundation in 2015.
Personal Life
Ramirez was married to Ryan DeBolt in 2012, but the couple separated in 2021 and divorced in 2024.
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Musical Talents
Ramirez's talents extend beyond acting to include singing. They released a cover of "Silent Night" in 2009, which was featured on Grey's Anatomy. In 2011, they released a self-titled EP featuring four songs, including a cover of Brandi Carlile's "The Story."
Awards and Recognition
Ramirez has received numerous awards and nominations for their work, including a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical and an Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for their performance in Spamalot. They have also been recognized for their work on Grey's Anatomy, receiving nominations from the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the NAACP Image Awards.
Confronting Hollywood's Weight Obsession
In And Just Like That… season two, Che Diaz confronts Hollywood's obsession with weight after a costumer makes a comment about their stomach during a pilot fitting. This storyline resonated with Ramirez, who was reading Belly of the Beast, a book exploring the relationship between anti-Blackness and fatphobia. Ramirez related to Che's experiences with internalized fatphobia, drawing on their own journey of growth and self-acceptance.
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