What Happened to Kate del Castillo Negrete Trillo?

Kate del Castillo Negrete Trillo began her acting career as a child, gaining widespread recognition in 1991 for her role in the popular telenovela 'Muchachitas'. Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, she solidified her status as a leading actress in Latin American television, starring in numerous successful telenovelas such as 'La Mentira' and 'Ramona'. Her transition to American audiences began in the mid-2000s, with notable roles in films like 'Under the Same Moon' (2007), which marked her Hollywood debut, and later in series like 'Weeds' and 'Jane the Virgin'.

A pivotal moment in her career came in 2011 when she earned global acclaim for her portrayal of Teresa Mendoza in Telemundo's 'La Reina del Sur'. The series, based on Arturo Pérez-Reverte's novel, became a groundbreaking success in Spanish-language television and significantly boosted her international profile.

The most significant controversy in del Castillo's life unfolded in 2015 when she facilitated a meeting between actor Sean Penn and then-fugitive drug lord Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán. This encounter stemmed from a controversial tweet she posted in 2012, expressing more trust in El Chapo than in the Mexican government, which prompted Guzmán to contact her about making a film about his life. The meeting, which Penn documented for a Rolling Stone article, led to a Mexican government investigation into del Castillo for obstruction of justice and money laundering, forcing her to remain outside Mexico for several years due to fears of arrest.

Del Castillo has consistently maintained that she was blindsided by Penn's intention to interview Guzmán for Rolling Stone and felt betrayed, accusing him of using her as 'bait'. In 2018, she sued former Mexican officials for $60 million in damages, alleging 'political persecution' and claiming the leaked information harmed her reputation and career. Despite the legal and reputational challenges, she continued to work, starring in the Netflix political drama 'Ingobernable' (2017), which she filmed in the United States.

As of 2026, Kate del Castillo's career is thriving. She has continued to expand her presence in both Spanish and English-language productions. In 2024, she joined the cast of Fox's crime drama series 'The Cleaning Lady' and was cast as Mexican singer Chavela Vargas in a miniseries, as well as in the Netflix comedy film 'The Biggest Fan'. Most recently, in May 2026, Telemundo announced the highly anticipated fourth season of 'La Reina del Sur', with del Castillo reprising her iconic role as Teresa Mendoza. She also co-founded Cholawood Productions, focusing on creating content with strong female and Latino characters.