America Ferrera’s Husband and Kids: Taking a Look at Barbie Actor’s Family After She Threatened to Leave USA Amid Donald Trump’s Second Stint as President

America Ferrera, the talented actress from Ugly Betty and Barbie, is thinking about leaving the U.S. after Donald Trump won the election for a second term. Now, before you jump to conclusions, she’s not abandoning Hollywood or her career, but she’s considering moving her family to the UK.

Why? Well, she wants to make sure her kids have the best opportunities, especially when it comes to their education. But don’t worry, Ferrera isn’t leaving the U.S. completely—she’ll still be fighting for women and Latinas and continuing to work in Hollywood.

So what about her husband and their kids? How do they fit into the picture? Let’s dive into their story and learn more about this power couple!

Who is America Ferrera Married To?

America Ferrera’s husband is Ryan Piers Williams, and they have been together for over 15 years. The two first met in 2005 when Williams was working on his first film project, Muertas, and Ferrera was at USC.

After spending a whole five years together, they realized they had more than just a professional connection—they had a real bond. Williams proposed to her in 2010, and a year later, they tied the knot in an intimate ceremony in Chappaqua, New York, at the home of Ferrera’s Ugly Betty co-star, Vanessa Williams.

Their wedding was small and private, with only close friends and family in attendance, including other Ugly Betty stars and Ferrera’s Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants co-stars. They’ve been inseparable ever since. 

Who is Ryan Piers Williams?

Ryan Piers Williams is a filmmaker, director, and visual artist. He grew up in El Paso, Texas, and from a young age, he loved storytelling and filmmaking. After high school, he went on to study film at the University of Texas and then transferred to the University of Southern California to study at their prestigious School of Cinematic Arts. 

Williams has directed a number of films, including The Dry Land (2010), in which Ferrera starred as Sarah. He’s also a talented visual artist and shares his artwork on social media.

The 43-year-old has always known he wanted to be a director, and he’s worked hard to make that dream a reality. As the filmmaker said in an interview with his college’s USC Cinematic Arts news portal: 

I’ve wanted to be a director since I was 13. When I was in middle and high school I was in theater and video production classes. Everyday I would write, shoot and edit news stories for our school as well as act in plays. I had a great love for journalism and for storytelling. Instead of choosing one over the other I decide that filmmaking would be the best of both worlds.

Not only is Williams a filmmaker, but he’s also passionate about creating work that sparks conversation and brings attention to important social issues. In short, the artist is a creative powerhouse, and his work speaks for itself.

When Did America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams Meet?

America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams met in 2005 when Williams was casting for his first short film, Muertas. At the time, Ferrera was attending USC and was already a budding actress.

Williams was making a film to bring attention to the issue of unsolved murders of women in Juarez, Mexico. He needed someone to help him tell this story, and Ferrera was a perfect fit.

They instantly connected and formed a strong professional bond, which eventually blossomed into something more. They spent hours talking and getting to know each other, and as the actress puts it, they’ve been inseparable ever since. Ferrera told People:

We kind of connected from the get-go on that professional level and that was something that really drew us to each other.

Their love story wasn’t built on a grand romantic gesture but on shared values and a deep respect for each other’s work.

How Many Kids Do America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams Have?

America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams have two kids: a 5-year-old son named Sebastian “Baz” Piers, and a 3-year-old daughter named Lucia Marisol. Although they keep their family life private, they’ve shared some sweet moments with their fans.

According to Daily Mail, Ferrera’s consideration of moving to the UK is mainly driven by her desire to provide the best education and opportunities for her kids. Despite her busy career, family is always her top priority.

Williams is equally involved in their children’s lives, and the two of them make sure their kids have a grounded, happy upbringing. From what we can tell, they’re all about supporting each other and raising their children with love and care.

America Ferrera’s Worked With Her Husband on Barbie

Ryan Piers Williams actually made a cameo in Barbie, playing the husband of America Ferrera’s character, Gloria. In the film, Gloria and her daughter Sasha are on a journey, and there’s a scene where Sasha asks her mom about leaving her dad behind.

Gloria’s response? “He’ll be fine,” as we then see Williams’ character chilling at home, learning Spanish with Duolingo. It’s a funny moment, and it’s a cute Easter egg for fans who know about their real-life relationship. 

He appears again at the end of the movie in a funny scene with Gloria and Sasha. His brief appearances in Barbie are a subtle nod to their real-life relationship and a fun way for the couple to collaborate on a project.

They Founded a Non-Profit Together

America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams didn’t just team up to make films—they also founded a non-profit called Harness. After the 2016 U.S. Presidential election, they wanted to find a way to help people stay engaged in the political process and create positive change.

Along with actor Wilmer Valderrama, they started Harness to bring together artists, activists, and influencers to make an impact. As Ferrera told Vogue in 2019:

Nothing changes in just one election. We won some important races, but there’s a deeper issue here, which amounts to a crisis of civics in this country: how politicians on both sides are all too ready to have people not be engaged until it serves them.

Through Harness, they hold events to promote social change, raise awareness on important issues, and get people to take action. For example, after one event, a Sikh activist suggested adding a Sikh character to the show This Is Us, which ended up being a huge step forward in representing diverse communities on TV.

The couple uses their platform to encourage others to get involved and use their voices for change. It’s just another way they’re making a difference, both in Hollywood and in the world.