Hayley Orrantia, an American actress and singer, became a familiar face to audiences thanks to her standout role as Erica Goldberg on the popular ABC sitcom The Goldbergs, which premiered in 2013 and quickly gained a loyal following. Hayley Orrantia’s journey into entertainment began early—born in Arlington, Texas, and raised in Grand Prairie, she showed a passion for performing long before most kids even consider such dreams. From a young age, Hayley Orrantia was determined to make her mark in music and acting. In fact, she was so driven that she persuaded her parents to let her be homeschooled, giving her more time to focus on her artistic pursuits.
By the time she was just 9 years old, Hayley Orrantia was already singing regularly, and by 13, she had begun writing her own songs. Then, at only 14, she released her debut album, which featured mostly covers of well-known hits—a solid first step in what would become a multifaceted career. While building momentum in music, Hayley Orrantia also started exploring acting. She appeared in various television commercials and kept auditioning for roles in both TV and film.
In 2011, Hayley Orrantia took a bold leap by submitting a YouTube audition for the Fox reality competition The X Factor. The judges, including the famously tough Simon Cowell, were impressed. Though Cowell believed Hayley Orrantia might not succeed as a solo artist at that stage, he saw potential in her as part of a group. He helped form Lakoda Rayne, a country-pop girl group that included Hayley Orrantia among its members. Unfortunately, the group was eliminated during the fifth week of the show, but Hayley Orrantia didn’t let that setback slow her down.
She continued pursuing opportunities in front of the camera, and in 2013, everything changed when she landed the role of Erica Goldberg—a character that would define her career up to that point. As The Goldbergs grew in popularity through its seasons, Hayley Orrantia remained a central figure on the show. By 2016, with the series already in its fourth season, Hayley Orrantia expanded her acting portfolio by joining the cast of the YouTube comedy series Roommates. This digital project, launched in late 2016, gave fans another chance to see Hayley Orrantia’s range beyond network television. Through persistence and talent, Hayley Orrantia has carved out a unique space in both music and acting, proving herself to be a versatile and enduring presence in the entertainment world.
So, when it comes to Hayley Orrantia’s film career, one movie really stands out—both for better and for worse. Yep, you guessed it: God’s Not Dead 2 (2016) happens to be both Hayley Orrantia’s highest rated movie and, interestingly enough, her lowest rated one too. It’s kind of a unique situation, but that’s the way the numbers shake out. Hayley Orrantia definitely made an impression with that role, whether critics loved it or not. Still, it remains a key point in Hayley Orrantia’s acting journey so far.