Diksia.com - Eva Longoria is one of the most successful and influential Latina actresses in Hollywood. She rose to fame as Gabrielle Solis on the hit show Desperate Housewives, and has since starred in numerous films and TV shows, such as Flamin’ Hot, Dora and the Lost City of Gold, and Grand Hotel.
She is also a producer, director, activist, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, who supports causes such as education, immigration, women’s rights, and cancer research.
But behind her glamorous and confident persona, Longoria has a surprising confession: she felt like “the ugly duckling” and did not identify as a beauty growing up. In this article, we will explore how Longoria overcame her insecurities and became one of the most admired and respected women in Hollywood.
Early Life and Struggles
Longoria was born on March 15, 1975, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Mexican-American parents. She was the youngest of four daughters, and the only one with dark hair and eyes. She grew up on a ranch, where she learned to hunt, fish, and ride horses. She was also a good student, who excelled in math and science.
However, Longoria did not feel like she fit in with her family or her peers. She was teased for being short, skinny, and dark-skinned.
She was also insecure about her appearance, and felt like she had to work harder to prove herself. She once said, “I did not identify as a beauty growing up. I was the ugly duckling in my family. I had to find my own confidence.”
Longoria found her confidence through education and hard work. She earned a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University-Kingsville, and a master’s degree in Chicano studies from California State University, Northridge.
She also pursued her passion for acting, and moved to Los Angeles to audition for roles. She landed her first TV role in 2000, on the soap opera The Young and the Restless, where she played Isabella Braña for two years.
Breakthrough and Success
Longoria’s big break came in 2004, when she was cast as Gabrielle Solis on Desperate Housewives, a comedy-drama series about the lives of four women living in a suburban neighborhood. Longoria’s character was a former model and trophy wife, who had a complicated and scandalous love life.
The show was a huge hit, and Longoria became a household name. She won several awards, including a Golden Globe nomination, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and an ALMA Award. She also became one of the highest-paid TV actresses, earning $375,000 per episode.
Longoria used her fame and fortune to pursue other projects and interests. She starred in films such as Over Her Dead Body, The Sentinel, and Harsh Times. She also produced and directed several TV shows and documentaries, such as Devious Maids, Telenovela, and Reversing Roe.
She launched her own clothing line, fragrance, and restaurant. She also founded the Eva Longoria Foundation, which aims to empower Latinas through education and entrepreneurship.
Longoria also became a prominent voice for social and political issues, especially those affecting the Latino community. She co-founded the Latino Victory Project, which supports Latino candidates and voters.
She also endorsed and campaigned for Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, and spoke at the Democratic National Convention in 2012 and 2016.
She also advocated for immigration reform, women’s rights, and environmental protection. She once said, “I don’t want to be known as just an actress. I want to be known as a citizen of the world, who happens to act.”
Personal Life and Happiness
Longoria has had her share of ups and downs in her personal life. She has been married and divorced twice, first to actor Tyler Christopher, and then to basketball player Tony Parker.
She revealed that she suffered from depression after her divorce from Parker, and that she relied on therapy and medication to cope. She also struggled with infertility, and underwent several rounds of IVF treatments.
However, Longoria found happiness again when she met Jose Antonio Baston, a Mexican businessman and media mogul. The couple got married in 2016, in a lavish ceremony in Mexico.
In 2018, they welcomed their first child, a son named Santiago Enrique. Longoria described motherhood as “the best thing that ever happened to me.” She also said that Baston is “the best husband I could have ever asked for.”
Longoria continues to balance her career and family, and to inspire others with her achievements and activism. She recently attended the ELLE’s Women in Hollywood event, where she dazzled in a plunging silver gown.
She also shared her message of self-love and confidence, saying, “I think beauty comes from within. You have to believe in yourself, and love yourself, and know your worth.”
