Mariza Villarreal (born November 10, 1977) is an American entrepreneur, fitness model, wellness influencer, former competitive bodybuilder, and retired adult film actress, producer, and director. She is best known by her former stage name "Nina Mercedez", under which she built a successful career in the adult entertainment industry before transitioning into health, fitness, and motivational content. Although some more recent online sources claim Villarreal was born in Mexico, the most consistently documented biographical information throughout her career identifies her birthplace as Corpus Christi, Texas, United States. She is of Mexican and Italian descent, and there is no reliable evidence that she was born in Mexico. Raised in South Texas, Villarreal has spoken about working a variety of jobs—including as a waitress, retail employee, bartender, and promotional model—before beginning her career as an exotic dancer. Her success on the competitive dance circuit earned her numerous titles, including Miss Nude North America, Miss Nude International, Exotic Dancer of the Year, and Miss Nude Universe, helping launch her into the adult entertainment industry. • Miss Nude North America (2001) • Miss Nude International (2001) • Exotic Dancer/Entertainer of the Year (2002) • Miss Nude Universe (2003) Performing under the name "Nina Mercedez", Villarreal became one of the industry's most recognizable performers during the 2000s. She worked with several major studios before establishing her own production company, "Heartbreaker Films", where she expanded her career as a producer and director in addition to performing.