You know those characters who just show up and instantly make a show better? That’s Winifred "Willow" Cruz. Honestly, if you grew up watching Liv and Maddie, you probably remember Willow as the powerhouse on the basketball court who spent half her time crushing on Joey Rooney and the other half being the most loyal friend Maddie could ask for. But there is a lot more to her than just the "tough athlete" trope.
Jessica Marie Garcia brought a specific kind of energy to Willow that made her feel real. She wasn't just a sidekick. She was a loud, aggressive, and unapologetically confident teenager who also happened to have a massive soft spot for the nerdist guy in Stevens Point.
Willow Cruz: The Backbone of the Ridgewood High High-Fives
Willow didn't just play basketball; she lived it. Her jersey number was 44, and she famously claimed she "doesn't go down." That line became her catchphrase for a reason. In the world of Disney Channel, where female characters were often pigeonholed into being "the girly one" or "the smart one," Willow was a refreshing mix of athletic dominance and emotional vulnerability.
Think back to the episode Rate-a-Rooney. It’s probably one of the most important episodes the show ever did. A group of guys starts rating the girls at school on a scale of 1 to 10. Willow gets a five. For a character who is usually the bravest person in the room, seeing her genuinely hurt by that number was a gut punch. It humanized her. It showed that even the toughest kids have insecurities, and Jessica Marie Garcia played that balance perfectly. She later mentioned in interviews that filming that episode was one of her proudest moments because of how many kids reached out saying they felt seen.
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The Jillow Saga: From Stalker-ish to Sweetheart
We have to talk about the Joey of it all. For the first three seasons, Willow’s crush on Joey was basically a long-running gag. She had a shrine in her purple locker. She bought his old stuff at yard sales—including his used retainer, which is, okay, objectively gross but very Willow.
Most people thought it would stay a one-sided joke forever. Joey was genuinely terrified of her for years. But then Season 3 hit.
In SkyVolt-A-Rooney, the dynamic finally shifted. Joey had this realization that Willow was the only person who liked him for exactly who he was—weirdness, "Falcon" persona, and all. When he finally asked her to be his "high school sweetheart" and handed her that rose, it was actually one of the most earned romantic moments on the show. Fans went wild. #Jillow was officially canon.
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Of course, like most high school romances, it had its bumps. By Season 4, Cali-Style, things got complicated. They eventually broke up in Linda and Heather-A-Rooney, agreeing to stay friends. It felt realistic, honestly. They were moving to different places, and sometimes your high school sweetheart isn't your forever person, even if you did once own their old T-shirt with their face on it.
The "Secret" Chemistry with Maddie
If you spend any time on social media these days, you’ve probably seen the theories about Willow and Maddie. Even Dove Cameron has joked about it.
There was this specific vibe between them—the special high-fives, the "carpentry camp" backstory, the fact that they were inseparable. While the show kept it strictly as a best-friendship, the chemistry was undeniable. Willow was Maddie’s "person" before Diggie even entered the frame. They were a duo that balanced each other out. When Maddie was being too intense or competitive, Willow was the one who could actually talk her down (or, more likely, jump into the competition with her).
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What You Might Have Missed About Willow
- Age Gap: In real life, Jessica Marie Garcia was significantly older than the rest of the "teen" cast. She was in her mid-to-late 20s playing a 16-year-old, which is a classic Hollywood move, but she fit in so well nobody really questioned it at the time.
- The "Princess" Name: Before she was Willow, the character's breakdown name was actually "Princess." It’s hard to imagine her being called that now, given her "tough girl" aesthetic.
- Athletic Prowess: Unlike some actors who fake their way through sports scenes, the show actually leaned into Willow’s physical presence. She wasn't just there to hold a basketball; she looked like she could actually carry the team.
Why Willow Still Matters in 2026
Willow Cruz was a pioneer for the "tough girl with a heart" archetype on Disney Channel. She didn't have to change who she was to get the guy, and she didn't have to apologize for being loud or taking up space. She was a loyal friend, a fierce competitor, and a girl who knew her worth—even when a bunch of "jerk-tourage" guys tried to tell her otherwise.
If you’re looking to revisit the best of Willow, start with Slump-A-Rooney to see her peak Joey obsession, then jump to Rate-a-Rooney for the emotional depth, and finish with SkyVolt-A-Rooney for the payoff.
To really appreciate the character's impact, pay attention to how she influences Maddie’s growth. Maddie becomes a better leader because Willow is there to challenge her. That's the mark of a great supporting character—they don't just fill space; they make the leads better.
Next time you’re scrolling through Disney+, pay a little extra attention to number 44. She really didn't go down.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Re-watch Season 2, Episode 6 (Hoops-A-Rooney) to see Willow and Maddie try to teach Liv how to actually play basketball—it's peak physical comedy.
- Check out Jessica Marie Garcia's later work in On My Block to see how she evolved her "tough but vulnerable" acting style into more mature roles.
- Look for the small details in Willow's locker scenes; the set designers packed them with hilarious Joey-themed "Easter eggs" that you probably missed during the original broadcast.