Missy is one of the main characters on the hit romantic comedy-drama series Jane the Virgin. She is portrayed by actress Andrea Navedo and is Jane Villanueva’s mother. Missy’s full name is Xiomara Villanueva and she has been a key part of the show since it premiered in 2014.
Missy’s Background
Not much is revealed about Missy’s background in the early seasons of Jane the Virgin. We know that she got pregnant with Jane at a young age and was not ready to be a mother. Missy struggled as a single parent and made some poor choices in life, but she always loved Jane deeply. As the show progresses, we learn more about Missy’s past.
Missy grew up in poverty with an absent father. When she was only 16 years old, she met Jane’s father Rogelio at a bus stop. The two fell madly in love, but Rogelio came from a wealthy family who did not approve. When Missy got pregnant, Rogelio’s family sent him away and told Missy to get an abortion. She refused and decided to raise Jane alone.
As a young single mother, Missy worked multiple jobs to provide for Jane but often had to leave Jane home alone. Missy dreamed of being a performer and would sometimes miss Jane’s events and milestones to attend auditions. This caused some hurt between them that took time to heal.
Relationship with Rogelio
After 23 years apart, Missy reconnects with Rogelio when he enters Jane’s life. They slowly begin to rebuild their relationship and feelings for each other. Missy and Rogelio date on and off throughout the show, working through past hurts and learning to trust one another again.
They finally marry in season 4 in an extravagant telenovela-style wedding. The two balance each other out well, with Missy keeping Rogelio grounded and Rogelio encouraging Missy’s dreams. Their second chance at love is a central romance in the show.
Missy’s Personality and Traits
Missy is a vivacious, fun-loving woman with a bold personality. She wears flashy, colorful outfits and is not afraid to speak her mind. Missy is expressive and emotional – she laughs loudly, cries openly, and shares her thoughts freely. Some of Missy’s defining traits include:
- Outgoing – Missy is very social and thrives on interacting with people. She makes friends easily.
- Passionate – When Missy commits to something, she gives it her all. She loves strongly and believes in going after what she wants.
- Free-spirited – Missy lives in the moment and doesn’t like to be tied down by rules. She values her independence.
- Nurturing – Despite her flaws, Missy cared for Jane the best she could. She loves showering her family with affection.
- Ambitious – Missy has always wanted to be a performer and sees opportunities to chase her dreams as she gets older.
- Opinionated – Missy always shares exactly what’s on her mind whether you want to hear it or not!
While Missy comes across as self-centered at times, deep down she has a big heart and good intentions. She learns better communication skills and responsibility over the course of the show.
Sense of Humor
Missy has an excellent sense of humor! She is the character most likely to deliver a witty one-liner on Jane the Virgin. Missy entertains her family with outrageous stories from her past and isn’t afraid to laugh at herself. Her humor helps lighten tense moments on the show.
Missy’s Struggles and Growth
Missy faces many personal struggles and displays significant growth throughout Jane the Virgin’s 5 seasons. Some of the key issues she works through include:
Alcohol Abuse
Early in the show, Missy overdrinks to deal with stress and guilt from her past. Her alcohol abuse causes problems in her job and relationships. With Jane’s help, Missy commits to her sobriety and quits drinking for good by season 3.
Career Setbacks
Missy struggles to maintain steady employment and is often between acting gigs. She takes demoralizing jobs like dressing up as Lady Viagra to pay the bills. However, she eventually achieves her dream of becoming a telenovela star in season 5.
Romantic Issues
Missy rushes into relationships and ignores red flags about shady men. She works on being more discerning and taking things slow with Rogelio. Missy learns how to build healthy, mutual love.
Strained Relationship with Jane
There is lingering resentment between Missy and Jane over Missy’s many mistakes as a mother. They have heated arguments but over time rebuild trust and understand each other better. Missy becomes more responsible and stable for Jane and her grandbaby Mateo.
Self-Acceptance
Missy gains confidence in who she is, flaws and all. She stops comparing herself to others or seeking their approval. Missy embraces her uniqueness and loves herself as she is.
By the end of the series, Missy has truly transformed from her experiences but retained her vibrant spirit. She found the career and love she always wanted, plus the happy family she never expected.
Missy’s Relationships
Missy forms close bonds with several characters on Jane the Virgin that evolve over time. Here are some of Missy’s key relationships:
Jane Villanueva
Jane is Missy’s beloved daughter. Though they clashed in Jane’s youth over Missy’s parenting, they develop a strong friendship as adults. Missy becomes a source of support for Jane as a new mother.
Rogelio De La Vega
Rogelio is Missy’s former teenage love and eventual husband. Though passionate, their romance has ups and downs before leading to marriage. Missy helps Rogelio connect more with his feelings.
Alba Villanueva
Alba is Missy’s disapproving mother-in-law who eventually accepts Missy into the family. The two women build mutual understanding despite their differences.
Xo-Rita
Xo-Rita is Missy and Rogelio’s mixed musical act and reality show. Though reluctant initially, Missy discovers she enjoys performing with Rogelio.
Esteban Santiago
Esteban is Missy’s on-and-off boyfriend between marriages. A crooked politician, he brings out Missy’s rebellious side but also manipulates her.
Liliana De La Vega
Liliana is Rogelio’s controlling mother who despises Missy at first but comes to accept her over time.
Here is an overview of Missy’s key relationships in table format:
| Character | Relationship to Missy |
|---|---|
| Jane Villanueva | Daughter |
| Rogelio De La Vega | Husband |
| Alba Villanueva | Mother-in-Law |
| Xo-Rita | Musical Act Partner |
| Esteban Santiago | Ex-Boyfriend |
| Liliana De La Vega | Former Mother-in-Law |
Missy’s Impact on Jane’s Life
As Jane’s mother, Missy has a profound impact on Jane’s life. Here are some key ways Missy shaped Jane as a person:
Strong Work Ethic
Seeing her mother work so hard instilled a powerful work ethic in Jane. Even as a child, Jane took on jobs to help provide for the family.
Resilience
Growing up with a struggling single mom taught Jane resilience in the face of hardship. Jane becomes adept at coping with difficult situations.
Caution with Men
Observing Missy’s tumultuous romantic history made Jane cautious in relationships. She protected her heart and refused to settle.
Value of Education
Missy encouraged Jane’s love of learning as a way to access opportunities she never had. This drove Jane to pursue higher education.
Importance of Family
Seeing the rift between Missy and Alba taught Jane the significance of mending family wounds. Jane works to heal divides in her own family.
While Missy made mistakes, she instilled core values in Jane that the person she became. Their mother-daughter bond evolves into an important friendship as the show progresses.
Conclusion
Missy’s journey is an integral part of Jane the Virgin’s emotional narrative. She grows from an irresponsible parent to a supportive mother and wife who finds meaningful success. Missy brings humor, passion, and resilience to the show. Her relationships with Rogelio, Jane, and others drive key storylines. Though flawed, Missy’s vibrant spirit and determination make her a beloved character. She’s proof that people can learn from their mistakes and change for the better over time. Missy embodies the show’s themes of family, forgiveness, and chasing your dreams against the odds.