‘Making a Difference Doesn’t Have To Be Complicated’: Eva Longoria on Using Her Star Power To Create Opportunities in the Latinx Community

Eva Longoria has had a career in front of the cameras that many would envy. From her iconic portrayal of Gabrielle Solis on the ABC hit comedic drama Desperate Housewives to her regular appearances as a model and spokesperson for L’Oreal hair and beauty products, Longoria’s face and radiant smile are known around the world. But what you may not know is the work the Mexican-American actress, director, producer and entrepreneur is putting in behind the scenes to effect real, lasting change and give voice to the voiceless.

“I feel a responsibility to use my platform for good,” says Longoria, 48. “I want to be able to make a positive impact on the world and inspire others to do the same.”

Longoria sat down with Parade to share how she’s taking her career in exciting new directions—and what she’s doing to close the Latina achievement gap.

Using Her Star Power to Tell Diverse Stories

Longoria’s success as an actress led to additional roles on television and in movies, an experience that she used to step into the director’s chair for episodes of Housewives, Devious Maids and Black-ish. “I have directed TV shows for twelve years, and I love staying in story arcs and developing characters over time,” she says.

But she yearned for more—specifically, more entertainment featuring Latinas playing parts that defied stereotypes and that showcased the Latina community. “Representation is not just about diversity, it’s about authenticity,” says Longoria. “It’s about telling our stories in an authentic way and not perpetuating stereotypes. We need to see ourselves as doctors, lawyers, CEOs and everything in between.”

The problem? Established production companies and studios lacked the vision to prioritize those projects. Enter Longoria’s lightbulb moment: “The only way to change the narrative is to change who’s in the room telling the story,” she explains. “Making a difference doesn’t have to be complicated…sometimes, you just need to be the person who steps up to do it.”

Longoria didn’t wait to be invited into the room: in 2005, she formed her own entertainment production company, UnbeliEVAble Productions. To date, they have developed shows for network television (Grand Hotel and Telenovela) with Latinx actors in lead roles and created with a diverse staff. Her company has also created several groundbreaking documentaries, including Food Chain and The Harvest, both of which revealed the inequities in the farming industry and the exploitation of Latinx workers.

Her highest profile project to date is Flamin’ Hot, putting Longoria in the director’s chair for the first time on a full-length movie. The film tells the story of a real-life janitor turned executive Richard Montanez—and it’s a project Longoria felt she was destined to bring to the screen. “I really had this sense that no one else could tell this story,” Longoria explains. “And I walked in with this attitude of, if you don’t let me do this, it’s not going to be right. I really felt that in my bones, I’ve never felt that about anything.” The movie is scheduled to premiere on Hulu and Disney+ in June.

With several other projects in the works, Longoria is sticking to her vision. Passionate about her Mexican heritage, she jumped at the chance to showcase the country’s diversity as the host of the CNN travel documentary series Searching for Mexico. “It’s not just about food and travel,” Longoria explains, “it’s about exploring the soul of Mexico and getting to know the people who make Mexico so vibrant and unique.”

The show follows Longoria as she explores different parts of the country, visiting cities such as Mexico City, Puebla and Oaxaca, highlighting the country's rich culture, history, and cuisine and exploring the impact of COVID-19 on the economy and the country’s ongoing struggle with drug cartels. “I really wanted to show everything that Mexico has to offer and challenge the misconceptions and stereotypes,” she says. “It’s about showcasing how resilient the people of Mexico are.” You can watch the six episodes of Searching for Mexico on Hulu.

Closing the Latina Achievement Gap

Longoria isn’t limiting her influence to the entertainment industry—she’s also passionate about helping Latinas pursue higher education and consider a future in other fields they may not have previously considered.

“Latinas are one of the fastest growing demographics in America, but they face significant ongoing challenges accessing education, healthcare and economic opportunities,” says Longoria. “Only fifteen percent of Latinas have a college degree, and they are more likely to live in poverty than any other group in the United States."

In 2012, she launched the Eva Longoria Foundation to help close the achievement gap and empower Latinas to reach their fullest potential. Their programs include entrepreneurship programs, mentoring, scholarships, after-school workshops in coding and robotics, and working with TECHNOLOchicas, an initiative of the National Center for Women & Information Technology (NCWIT) and Televisa Foundation, to encourage Latina women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

“We’ve helped more than 3,000 Latinas pursue their educational and entrepreneurial dreams,” Eva says proudly. “Every Latina deserves the opportunity to reach her full potential, and we will continue to work tirelessly to make that a reality.”

The Importance of Being Honest

Balancing multiple projects with marriage and motherhood, Longoria certainly gives off the kind of main-character energy that makes her seem unstoppable. But in reality? “The truth is, I’m not always confident,” she confesses.

Longoria has been endearingly honest about everything from covering up grey hair to feeling anxious before stepping out at public events…even taking the stigma and secrecy out of what she does to look and feel her best. A tip from one of her mom's friends (not a celebrity!) led her to try Evolve X, a non-invasive cosmetic treatment that helped Longoria get read-carpet ready after the birth of her son. “I had loose skin on my stomach that wasn’t going anywhere no matter what I did,” says Longoria. “I just wanted a little ‘zhush’, and it was really effective.”

It's that level of honesty that Longoria aspires to bring to everything she does. “Honesty truly is the best policy,” she says. “Don’t lie to yourself, or anyone else, about who you are and what you want.

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