Penelope and Estrellita are former best friends and cousins in One Day at a Time. They are portrayed by Justina Machado and Melissa Fumero respectively.
Moments[]
Before the Series[]
Being cousins, it is heavily implied the two women were friends since they were children. In "The Funeral," it is implied as teenagers they would steal their parents' wine coolers and kiss pictures of Leonardo DiCaprio after practicing their dance moves.
Estrellita would write letters to Penelope when she was in the army and they would help Penelope feel less alone. Penelope later tells her that the letters helped her feel less alone during the rough nights in the army. Penelope saved all of them even after returning home because they were important to her.
Season 3[]
The Funeral[]
- Penelope tries to talk to Estrellita and Estrellita tells her it's not safe as their mothers are around.
- Penelope tells her she has talked to Lydia about smoothing things out with Mirtha.
- The two celebrate being able to spend time together when their mothers make up.
- They dance in the kitchen and Estrellita questions if it's weird they are dancing at a funeral. Penelope tells her it's a Latino funeral therefore it would be weird if they weren't dancing.
- The two fight over what the believe to be the mantilla only to find out that Pilar is the one who has it.
- Estrellita makes a toast to Trump at the end of the episode which Penelope then questions.
Similarities[]
- They both love to dance and Estrellita taught Penelope choreography to Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation video.
- They are both fun-loving.
- They both expressed that they missed each other but could not spend time together due to the feud between their mothers Mirtha and Lydia Riera over the family mantilla.
- They are both mothers.
Differences[]
- Estrellita is a Trump supporter and a Republican, Penelope is more liberal.
- Penelope has two children, whereas Estrellita has just one child.
- Penelope is divorced and Estrellita is married.
- Penelope's fashion sense is more casual whereas Estrellita tends to dress up a bit more.
Trivia[]
- At the end of "The Funeral," Estrellita reveals she's a Trump supporter while giving her toast.
- Estrellita taught Penelope the dance moves from Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation video.
- Penelope's nickname for Estrellita is Tía Gray-Tooth.