Diane Guerrero is well known for her work as Maritza in "Orange is the New Black" and Lina in "Jane the Virgin," but the actress also has an interesting back story of her own.

Guerrero, who is working on her own book, has been a strong advocate for other people who are often marginalized and misrepresented. Aside from her work in film and television, the actress recently got involved with Marriott on the Love Travels Campaign, a diversity campaign for the LGBT community. Guerrero's book will explain her personal struggle to help inspire others facing similar circumstances. The actress recently spoke with Latin Post about her involvement in the campaign, her book and what we can expect from her artistic projects.

David Salazar: How did you get involved with Marriott and the Love Travels Campaign? Why is it important to you?

Diane Guerrero: I was inspired by the idea behind Love Travels with Marriott. It's about incorporating what you really love into your travel experience. I thought it was perfect for me. Travel is such a big part of my life! I travel for what and for whom I love most in life. I travel to pursue my passions, visit my family and find new adventure. Traveling makes me feel alive, and informs so much of my life and who I am.

DS: You are currently working on a book that relates your childhood difficulties. What do you hope people learn from your upcoming book "In the Country We Love?"

DG: I think, so far, anyone who has heard or read about my story only knows the story on its surface. With this book you will really get a chance to learn about my personal struggle with the American immigration system and how I overcame many obstacles as a young girl and as an adult. It will be a good read for all kinds of people. If you are a person detached from the subject matter and looking for an understanding, hopefully this book will be a light. And if you are a person directly dealing with this issue, this book will hopefully help you feel less alone and more motivated.

DS: A recent study from the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism revealed that Latin Americans are still the most underrepresented minority in Hollywood. One expert I spoke with in relation to this report stated that the situation is worse now than it was 70 years ago. How do you respond to this, especially working in the industry today?

DG: I'm not sure if the situation was better 70 years ago, but I do think things can certainly be a lot better today, especially given the contributions of the Latino community to our society. We can do better by being more inclusive, not only with Latino roles, but having more Latino actors play non-Latino roles. The lack of representation has left many of us feeling marginalized and disassociated, which can turn into feelings of shame. However, I do think things are changing. I find more Latino actors, including myself, more willing to speak up on this sort of discrepancy, and I believe this goes for non-Latinos too. The Latino community is growing faster than any other community in the United States, and I think we are going to see a shift on the demand of what we are willing to consume. We want to see ourselves represented in the American entertainment industry, moreover a real representation of our society, which is a diverse one. I have hope that we will continue to rise above the underrepresentation and misrepresentation of the Latino community in Hollywood and begin to be part of the solution. Change is inevitable and I am here to be part of that change.

DS: Another study called the "Latino Media Gap" stated that Latinos are still portrayed in a similar light in popular media. As a Latin American actress, do you feel that the industry is evolving in its portrayal of the demographic? What still needs to be done?

DG: It is true that Latinos are underrepresented, and when they are, it tends to be one dimensional. I think you start here by pushing more Latino roles. We need more roles that reflect how diverse our community really is. We're doctors, lawyers, politicians, civil rights activists, and leaders. We also need more Latino actors in leading roles. The media is so influential in public attitudes and perceptions; it's all the more important to portray our communities as multidimensional as we really are.

DS: When did you realize that you wanted to work in the entertainment industry?

DG: I think I always knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry, but constantly denied myself any possibility of that being my truth. Until, of course, I didn't. I would perform for my family as a child. I fell in love with two things: the freedom I felt while performing and the way I made my mother smile.

DS: What is your favorite thing about being an actress?

DG: My favorite thing about being an actress is my ability to feel old/new and crazy/sane all in one day. It's very exciting and incredibly scary.

LP: You have worked in both television and film. What are the advantages of each medium? Do you have a preference?

DG: I love to work and tell stories so I don't think it matters how or where I tell them, as long as I get to tell them.

DS: You are currently filming the upcoming seasons of "Jane the Virgin." Could you tell us how your character Lina will evolve in the new seasons? What change in her life will she face?

DG: Lina will have to be on point in the best friend department as Jane embarks on this new journey of motherhood.