Dominican American Producer Frida Perez Marks a First at the 2025 Emmys
The Emmys have seen barrier-breaking moments before, but this year’s belonged to Frida Perez. The Dominican American producer and writer became the first Latino to ever win an Emmy for comedy writing and the first Latina to win in the comedy category. She also made history as the second Latina to win as a producer in a top series category.
The Studio dominates the 2025 Emmys
Apple TV+’s The Studio collected 13 trophies on Emmy night, becoming the most-awarded comedy series in Emmy history. The show surpassed FX’s The Bear, which set the previous record in 2023 with 10 wins.
Among those wins was Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series for the pilot episode “The Promotion.” That award went to Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory, and Frida Perez. With that recognition, Perez officially became the first Latino ever to win in the writing category for comedy.
Later in the night, The Studio secured the top prize for Outstanding Comedy Series. Perez’s win also marked the first time a Latina has taken home the comedy series award as a producer. The only other Latino producer to win a top series category was Cuban American Celia D. Costas for HBO’s Angels in America in 2004.
Frida Perez went from assistant to co-creator
Perez’s career started far from Hollywood’s executive tables. The Bronx native worked her way up from Seth Rogen’s assistant to co-creator and executive producer of The Studio.
“I started as his assistant,” Perez told Variety. “Because of that, you’re just talking all day, every day. I was on set with him all the time, and we got to know each other, and he began to trust me.”
Perez added that Rogen’s support was pivotal in breaking barriers. “When he gave me the ‘creator’ credit, everybody I talked to was like, ‘Oh my God, he did not have to do that,’” she said. “Most people, if it’s your first writing gig, producing gig, would be like, ‘Oh, thanks, have fun — staff writer.’”
Frida Perez credits her family roots
While celebrating her historic Emmy wins, Perez reflected on her family’s journey. “I think about my parents, honestly, because they came to America in the ’80s, and they were born in the D.R.,” she said. “They’re both public school teachers in the South Bronx.”
Her words resonate beyond Hollywood. Perez’s recognition comes in a year when few Latino nominees were awarded Emmys. Actors Pedro Pascal, Liza Colón-Zayas, and Colman Domingo were nominated but did not win.
Representation at the Emmys is still rare
Similarly, Latina representation in Emmy’s top categories has been historically scarce. Perez now joins a short list of Latinas who have been nominated as producers, including Selena Gomez for Only Murders in the Building, Salma Hayek for Ugly Betty in 2007, and Carla González Vargas for Wednesday in 2023.
Perez’s wins mark a shift, but they also highlight the lack of equity. Despite Latinos making up nearly 20% of the U.S. population, they remain underrepresented in Hollywood’s most powerful creative roles.
Frida Perez is only getting started
Perez’s career continues to expand. She signed with CAA earlier this year. Her previous work includes producing the podcast Storytime with Seth Rogen and creating the short film Detox, which premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival in 2023.
Looking ahead, Perez teased that Season 2 of The Studio will raise the bar. “We want to make it better. We’re constantly raising the bar, and we don’t want to disappoint people a second time around,” she said. “So we’re just going to try to do crazy storylines, crazy locations, more glam, more stars.”
Her history-making Emmys signal that the doors she has pushed open will not close quietly. As Perez told Variety: “I’m so proud of where I’m from. And I hope I won’t be the last one.”
