Manuella "Manny" Santos is a Class of 2007 graduate of Degrassi Community School. Manny is a very developed character out of the original cast from Degrassi: The Next Generation, having completely changed herself during her time at school.
She was initially portrayed as bubbly and innocent, if not shy, and was seen as "adorable." However, throughout her early high school years, she prioritized popularity and acknowledgment, resulting in a variety of decisions she regretted thereafter.
Manny's romantic and promiscuous ways resulted in her sleeping with someone who was in a relationship, thus becoming pregnant and having her reputation plummet, despite ultimately deciding on an abortion.
In the earlier seasons, Manny had noted initially that she wanted to be a fashion designer, but her dreams later changed to wanting to pursue a career in acting.
She attended Smithdale University and starred in Mewesical High, a musical film about the director Jason Mewes' life.
Her lifelong best friend since childhood is Emma Nelson. Her other best friends are Liberty Van Zandt, Darcy Edwards, and her boyfriend Jay Hogart. She was also very close friends with J.T. Yorke (until his death) and Toby Isaacs. Additional friends of hers include Spinner Mason, Marco Del Rossi, Sean Cameron, Chantay Black, Mia Jones, Sav Bhandari, Hazel Aden and Kelly Ashoona. She was a former friend of Jane Vaughn. She was rivals with Paige Michalchuk, Ellie Nash, Ashley Kerwin, Peter Stone, and Holly J. Sinclair, but seems to have made peace with all of them.
She has been in a relationship with Jay Hogart since Degrassi Goes Hollywood. She was portrayed by Cassie Steele.
