Ileanna Simancas was born in Caracas-Venezuela. As the daughter of two Latin America film and TV stars, Jean Carlo Simancas and Martha Mijares, Ileanna began her career in the entertainment business before she could walk, debuting in Television. Six years later she would start her career in film by the hand of the renowned Director Roman Chalbaud in his celebrated film ‘La Gata Borracha’.

 

Her passion for the exotic and love for travel inspired her to pursue higher education abroad receiving a B.A in Journalism in Bogotá – Colombia, a second degree in USA History and its Relationship to Latin America, from CAL State Northridge, and graduated in Los Angeles from the Dramatic Arts Conservatory A.C.T.

 

Earlier in her career, Ileanna focused her passion for the arts thru acting working in Venezuela, Colombia, Miami and Los Angeles, in film as well as in international Soap Operas and TV Series, some of which are: Ser Bonita no Basta (RCTV), La Mujer de Mi Vida (Univision), María Celina (Univision), Caribe (RCTV) and Oky Doky (RCN). Her early work was honored by the Caracas Governor’s Award as an Emerging National Talent when she was only 17 years old. She also achieved a brilliant commercial career, leading numerous USA national campaigns of important clients as: Revlon, Longines Watches, Miller Light, AT&T, Nissan, Visa, Mc Donald, Sprite and Wal-mart.

​

During her years in Los Angeles Ileanna made her debut in the big screen once more in the teenage comedy, ’Who's your Daddy?’ directed by Andy Fickman; staring Ali Landry, Christine Lakin and Lin Shaye.  Then came the lead role of Christina in the feature film 'El Padrino: The Latin Goodfather' where she leaded an amazing cast of Oscar winners that included: Faye Dunaway, Gary Busey, Roger Wagner, Kathelin Quinlan, Stacy Keach and Jennifer Tilli. Followed it up with the film ‘Spin’ next to Fernando Carrillo y Shalim Ortiz and ‘South of the Border’ leading next to Treva Etienne (Pirates of the Caribbean). Ileanna was awarded Best Actress for her performance as Scarlet in the short film ‘Scarlet Momentum’; a short that she also produced a, co-wrote, and took thru the runs of the International Film Festival’s Circuit, winning 5 awards including best short. Ileanna also had her own TV show for home improvement, ‘Así se Hace’ in the Spanish Network Telemundo/NBC.

 

For few years Ileanna traveled to India to experience spiritual discoveries, and moved to Madrid in hopes to savor life and work in the real world of Spanish Theater. It’s there where Ileanna, wrote, produced and acted in her theater’s Opera Prima, ‘De Par en Par’. She had the pleasure to work next to an amazing Spanish cast like the veteran Julia Trujillo, Cuca Escribano, Ana Ruiz and Esperanza Elipe, and directed by the talented Dario Facal. The play was premiered in Madrid at the famous Figaro Theater (Broadway Spain), and travel to other cities in the country.

​

In 2015 she moved back to Los Angeles, making an important life and carrier move by becoming a GLAAD Spokesperson next to her former partner (also an actress), as the first celebrity female couple from Venezuela openly speak out about their love in the media, taking a big stand for the LGBT rights in Latin America and US Hispanic. She also leaded and produced the short film ‘SPARK’, which denounces the dictatorial regime in Venezuela. In 2016 the same film was to be nominated to a BAFTA Award, won a DGA Award, and went successfully thru the Film Festival Circuit. She also went back to theater participating in two seasons of the Micro-Theater Miami with ‘Clara y Violeta’ y ‘Sin Pecado Concebida’.