WATCH NOW
Watch on the app
Jess Judith Went Viral for Dancing but Stayed Real for Her Community
Jessica Judith Ortiz, better known as Jess Judith, is a 23-year-old Dominican content creator based in Florida whose digital presence is as magnetic as it is meaningful. She’s part of a growing wave of young Latino voices reshaping how cultural pride, identity, and joy show up online, and she’s doing it with salsa moves, relatable content, and a deep connection to her community.
Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, Jess’s journey into content creation started long before she hit record. In 2016, at just 14 years old, her family relocated to Florida in search of better opportunities. The transition wasn’t easy. Leaving behind her school, friends, and all of her day-to-day life in Santo Domingo led to a culture shock that took years to process fully. Even though she spoke English, nothing could quite prepare her for what it would be like to step into a sprawling American high school.
View this post on Instagram
She found herself caught between cultures. Dominican at home, American at school, and struggled with questions of identity. Like many young immigrants, she wanted to fit in but felt the pressure to change parts of herself to do it. Even in a diverse city like Orlando, where being Latino is acknowledged but not always unified, she learned early on that being Latino means different things to different people. That realization would later become central to the voice she developed online.
Her entry into the world of content creation came in 2020, during the early months of the pandemic. What started as a casual moment turned into a viral sensation: a dance video with her best friend Benny (now her boyfriend) blew up on TikTok. With that unexpected spark, Jess began posting regularly, not with a clear plan but with a sense of freedom and joy that immediately clicked with viewers.
View this post on Instagram
From there, her platform skyrocketed. With over 4 million followers on TikTok alone, Jess Judith now creates a mix of content ranging from lifestyle, fashion, beauty, to travel; but her heart always returns to music. Her lively videos dancing to salsa or fan-girling over Latino artists became her trademark. And it wasn’t just the fans who took notice.
She’s worked with artists like Rauw Alejandro, Alvarito Díaz, Becky G, and Young Miko. She even traveled to the Dominican Republic to host a live Q&A with Young Miko, a dream-like moment for someone who once felt out of place. Her passion for music and strong ties to the community made this event truly memorable.
View this post on Instagram
And of course, there’s Bad Bunny. Jess has always made her love for Benito known online, with her early content almost entirely focused on him. Her excitement and admiration weren’t just relatable: they were contagious. In a full-circle moment, she was invited to Puerto Rico for a surprise meet-and-greet with Bad Bunny himself, after a video she posted decoding his DeBÍ TiRAR MÁs FOToS album went viral. Jess, who once dreamed about meeting her favorite artists, now finds herself working with them.
But what matters more to Jess than fame is family. Recently, she bought a house for her parents, the first they’ve owned since moving to the U.S. She says that’s her proudest achievement so far. She often shares snippets of her family life, mental health moments, or just her messy room, all part of a larger narrative that her followers deeply connect with.
View this post on Instagram
In December 2023, Jess graduated from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Communications, focusing on social media. It was a milestone that brought pride not just to her parents and friends, but also to her followers who had watched her grow into her voice.
Throughout everything, Jess’s secret has been something simple: vulnerability. Her knack for being genuine, happy, and a little chaotic is exactly what’s drawn such a loyal following, especially among young Latinas. Whether she’s dancing to a fresh reggaetón hit, reflecting on her journey, or just cracking up about everyday stuff, Jess keeps reminding her followers that joy and identity can go hand in hand, and there’s real power in being confidently, unapologetically yourself.
View this post on Instagram
So, what’s next? She’s leaving the door open. And that kind of openness is exactly what brought her this far.
for the latest updates from LatiNation