That’s So Mariana: One Harlingen Girl’s Rise to Stardom
- Beth Marie Cantu Ensign
- Jun 26
- 4 min read
(This article was written by Beth Marie Cantu Ensign and was featured in the July 2025 issue of Explore Harlingen Magazine.)
At just 12 years old, Mariana Donnelly, under the stage name “That’s So Mariana,” is already carving out a name for herself in the world of entertainment. A multi-talented performer with credits in film, music videos, live performance, and dance, Mariana’s journey is both inspiring and impressive — especially considering she now calls the quiet streets of Harlingen home.
Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota in October 2012, Mariana showed signs of creative spark as early as two years old. “Since the age of two she's been super interested in the industry, with mostly dance so that's where she started,” her mother, Vanessa Donnelly, shared. “She is a 12½ year old multi-talented kid who pretty much just does everything. I would say she's like the Jill of all Trades.”
After an early start in Minnesota, Mariana’s family made the move to Los Angeles in 2018, where her talent truly began to shine. “She got picked up with two agencies while we were there,” Vanessa recalled. “She got booked for a lot of the music videos and films… we figured that there was just a lot going on in California and we wanted a place where we can actually raise the girls.”
That desire for a peaceful, family-friendly environment led the Donnellys to Harlingen — a move they’ve embraced wholeheartedly. “We just wanted something that was a little bit more peaceful, like we kind of live in the country so it's quiet and you know we have animals and all that stuff… We wouldn't trade it at all.”
Though the Rio Grande Valley may feel worlds away from Hollywood, Mariana’s performance schedule hasn’t slowed down. She’s been cast in a new film set to shoot this summer, all while staying active in dance and music, as well as volleyball — her current passion. “This summer has been nothing but volleyball, so she's getting ready to try out for the club again and then also for school for the first time,” Vanessa explained.
Having once been homeschooled, Mariana is now attending school in person. “She wanted to make friends and kind of get out there.” The transition, according to Vanessa, has been smooth: “Everybody still treats her like a normal kid, so she hasn't had any issues.”
Though she has a busy schedule, Mariana maintains high academic standards. “She makes sure she gets it done; she gets As and Bs. She almost actually had all straight As,” her mother shared proudly. “She's really good at letting us know, ‘I hate this, it's too much,’ or ‘I wanna do this.’”
Despite her age, Mariana has already danced her way across stages, lit up the screen in music videos, and earned accolades from both coasts. Her creative resume reads like a dream for any aspiring performer. Mariana has appeared in music videos for world-renowned artists such as Pentatonix, Travis Scott, and Lil Nas X. She has even opened for big names like Lil Wayne. Though one of her most memorable opportunities came unexpectedly. “She auditioned for Debbie [Allen]… and we didn't know she ended up actually getting cast. Until I got a text… and it was just like, ‘Hey, is Mariana coming to practice? and I was like, ‘Oh OK! Cool!’” Vanessa shared with a laugh.
Though she has already worked with major stars, there are a few artists still on Mariana’s wish list. “I would say probably Melanie Martinez or Sabrina Carpenter,” her mom shared — a fitting pick for an artist with as much creativity, style, and passion as Mariana.
Recently, Mariana earned recognition at the LA Web Fest, where she won “Best Performance” for her role in the short film White & Black Canvas. The red-carpet event took place in Los Angeles in May of this year. In the film, directed by Luis Antonio Rodriguez, Mariana plays McKella, the main character who navigates the everyday struggles of racism and turns to painting as a powerful outlet for self-expression. The film also received “Best Dramatic Film” at a festival in Houston, Texas — another proud moment in Mariana’s growing list of accomplishments.
When asked about Mariana’s favorite part of performing, her mom didn’t hesitate: “She talks about that a lot — people being able to see who she is and how she does things… she loves bringing her music to the stage [and] bringing the characters to life.”
Looking ahead, Mariana’s future seems filled with possibilities from film and television to the volleyball court. “She wants to go pro in volleyball… that would probably be the goal for her,” Vanessa said. Still, there are dreams outside of the spotlight, too. “She has expressed that she wanted to open her own dance studio one day.”
When she’s not on set or at practice, Mariana enjoys downtime with her family. Their favorite thing is going to the beach at South Padre Island or fishing. Locally, the Donnellys enjoy visits to G's Tea and Harlingen Bazaar. “[The kids] always walk in, and they see everything that they want to buy,” Vanessa laughed.
Mariana’s advice to other kids chasing dreams like hers? “Follow your heart, don’t give up because you’re capable of doing anything, and believe in yourself.”
Whether she’s dazzling in a dance number, up on the silver screen, competing on the volleyball court, or simply enjoying life as a middle schooler in the RGV, Mariana Donnelly is a young star on the rise — navigating childhood and a rising career with grace, grit, and genuine joy. And at the heart of it all is a supportive family, a quiet town, and a big dream that keeps getting bigger.
Comments