Kissing Booth and breakthrough (2020–2023)
In 2020, Perez played Marco Valentin Peña in Netflix's The Kissing Booth 2 , opposite Joey King. [15] For his role, he took choreography and guitar lessons. [16] It became the most-streamed film on Netflix during its opening weekend. [17] The series was the second most streamed during its second weekend, with Forbes noting it as "one of the most popular movies ever on the platform." [18] [19] In October that year, Netflix reported that 66 million households watched the film over its first four weeks of release. [20]
At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Perez partnered with Variant Malibu, a 3D tech company to make face masks. They cut 90% of traditional manufacturing waste. [21] He also designed masks with The Kissing Booth 2 co-stars Joel Courtney, Joey King, Meganne Young and Maisie Richardson-Sellers. The proceeds went to a Chicago organisation that helps disabled kids, adults and families with disabled kids in the Hispanic community. [22] In 2021, Perez reprised the role of Marco Valentin Peña in The Kissing Booth 3 . [23]
In 2022, Perez starred in HBO Max's comedy series Minx as Shane Brody, a firefighter who becomes the frontrunner for debut-issue cover star of the first erotic magazine for women in Los Angeles. [24] Talking about the challenges he faced playing the character, Perez said, "The biggest thing was grounding him, making him likable, and also playing against the line." [25] Perez went on to star in gaming comedy film 1Up alongside Ruby Rose where he played Dustin. [26]
Red, White & Royal Blue and beyond (2023–present)
In 2023, Perez starred in Amazon Prime Video's Red, White & Royal Blue as Alex Claremont-Diaz, the first son of the United States, opposite Nicholas Galitzine. [27] The film was released on August 11. [28] For the first three weeks after its release, it was the top watched film worldwide on the platform. [5] [6] The Observer 's Wendy Ide praised the charisma of Perez and Galitzine and credited it for the film's appeal: "It turns out that watching two impossibly beautiful boys making cow eyes at each other might be just the escapist pulp we need right now." [29] A sequel is in development. [30] [31]
In February 2024, Perez was appointed the ambassador for that year's SAG Awards ceremony. [32] [33] In March 2024, he signed with talent agency Paradigm. [34] Perez is very passionate about sustainability, making a change in the world, and supporting his Latin community. Over the years, he has gone on supply chain trips to an Australian nonprofit organization that is the global authority on natural, renewable and biodegradable wool fiber. [35]
In January 2025, Perez was named global brand ambassador for Lacoste, and starred in their new underwear ad campaign. [36] [37]
In April 2025, Perez voiced Johnny Stompanato in the Audible audio drama The Big Fix: A Jack Bergin Mystery. [38]
