Desperate Housewives Actress Eva Longoria discusses issues of perception and experiences as a Mexican-American actress during her appearance at the 7th Annual By L.A. conference at Paramount Studios. Longoria is offering a new perspective on Latinos in the U.S. involving her as a producer of NBC's upcoming comedy "Hot and Bothered" and long-time running TV show "Devious Maids."
During her appearance, Longoria has stepped up her life as a producer in recent years with a host of projects under her Unbelievable Entertainment banner. In a chat with moderator Marc Cherry, creator/executive producer of "Desperate Housewives" and "Devious Maids," Longoria quotes "Hollywood execs often assume multicultural stars can use accents or speak languages other than English."
She added that there was lots of identity crisis in her character, which she can personally relate to. To note, she grew up in Texas and she is a mixed blood of America and Mexico. She's very close to her Mexican root, although she cannot speak Spanish and she doesn't have an accent.
"Devious Maids" third seasons launches on Monday. Following the lives of Latina maids working in a wealthy and elite houses of Beverly Hills. Starring Latina stars Ana Ortiz, Dania Ramirez, Judy Reyes and Roselyn Sanchez, playing the role of domestic households - a role said to be the only Latinas could get in televisions.
Longoria shares that there was a negative response at first on how "Devious" represents Hispanic women. But not telling the true stories of women working as domestic helps depriving their humanity as she quotes:
"I've known so many amazing women in my life who are amazing," Longoria narrated. "And I said, 'You're saying these people don't have a story to tell - you're saying all they do is go and clean your homes.' They have big lives and complex lives."
Join the Conversation