Eva Longoria: an unstoppable force in Hollywood, business and philanthropy.
Eva Longoria is a multi-dimensional figure known for her illustrious acting career, her astute business flair and her unwavering activism and philanthropy. This iconic figure has carved out a niche for herself in a variety of fields, leaving an indelible mark on Hollywood and beyond.
Born on March 15, 1975, Eva Jacqueline Longoria hails from Corpus Christi, Texas. She first turned heads with her spellbinding performances on "The Young and the Restless", a popular soap opera in which she played the role of Isabella Braña. However, it was in 2004 that her fame skyrocketed, thanks to her portrayal of Gabrielle Solis in the hit series "Desperate Housewives" (2004-2012), earning her numerous awards and nominations, including a Golden Globe. This series brought complex, subversive and entertaining female characters to the screen and into people's everyday lives, inviting us to rethink the female gender.
Her on-screen versatility extends from television to cinema, with landmark roles in films such as "The Sentinel" (2006) and "Over Her Dead Body" (2008). But her creative prowess doesn't stop at comedy. She has also branched out into producing and directing, with projects such as "Devious Maids", "Grand Hotel" and "Why Women Kill". Most recently, she directed the film "Flamin' Hot", which tells the inspiring true story of Richard, a janitor who transformed his Mexican-American heritage and upbringing into an idea for Cheetos Flamin' Hot. The film will open the Latino International Film Festival 2023 in Los Angeles.
Equally active in the television industry, she has been producing and presenting since March 2023 her new CNN show, "Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico", which is inspired by the hit series "Searching for Italy with Stanley Tucci". In this show, she explores the culinary traditions and culture of six different regions of Mexico. "This journey allowed me to further appreciate and fall in love with my roots and I feel so honored that CNN entrusted me with this unforgettable, once in a lifetime, experience." (© Eva Longoria - People, February 16, 2023).
She is also directing a new HBO Max project entitled "The Gordita Chronicles", a comedy series about a Venezuelan family living in Miami in the 1980s. The series features actress Zoe Saldana as executive producer and narrator.
Outside the entertainment industry, she has also established herself as a wise entrepreneur. Among other things, she owned and operated the Hollywood restaurant "Beso", demonstrating her flair for culinary entrepreneurship. She also launched her clothing line, "Eva by Eva Longoria", which is based on the principle of inclusivity and offers designs for women of all shapes and sizes. Her ventures demonstrate a keen sense of market dynamics, making her a formidable player in the sector.
Eva Longoria is also involved in the Web 3.0 industry. She recently joined the advisory board of "Autograph", an NFT platform co-founded by Tom Brady that connects athletes and fans through digital collectibles. She also took part in a Twitter Spaces session on International Women's Day, during which she set out her views on Web 3.0 and gender equality, stating that Web 3.0 offers huge economic potential for women and a chance to create generational wealth and change. "As we are moving into Web 3.0 and this NFT space, there are trillions of dollars to be made, created, and generated,” Eva Longoria says. We can create generational wealth and change generational status. If we just dig deep and educate ourselves on what the future looks like." (© NFT Evening, February 2nd, 2023).
In addition, she recently launched "Casa Del Sol", a luxury sipping tequila brand that honors authentic Mexican heritage and empowers Latinas in the tequila industry. The brand is made from 100% Blue Weber agave sourced from Jalisco, Mexico, and aged in French oak cognac barrels.
"When this brand came to my attention, it was really the first time that a tequila came at me with an authentic connection. They were all about authentic Mexican roots; they were all about talent. Talent behind the actual liquid - the actual juice. I loved the idea that you could bring casual drinkers and enthusiasts together to enjoy a product that was founded with authentic Mexican roots with strong female influence." (© Eva Longoria - Forbes, 15 septembre 2021).
Casa Del Sol's strong feminine influence is the result of collaboration between Eva Longoria and her team. Co-founder and executive producer of the brand, she works with Alejandra Pelayo, production manager and goddaughter of the late Francisco Alcaraz, creator of one of the world's most successful tequila brands ; and Marina Padilla, Mexican artisan and daughter of Paco Padilla, cultural ambassador of Jalisco. "Eight percent of tequila producers are women. It’s a very male-dominated industry." (© Eva Longoria - Forbes, September 15, 2021). Alejandra and Marina's leadership in a sector as male-dominated as tequila is therefore significant.
Beyond her acting prowess and successful businesses, it's her deep commitment to social causes that really sets her apart. A tireless advocate for Latino rights, she co-founded the Latino Victory Project to increase political participation within the community. She also launched the Eva Longoria Foundation in 2012, with the aim of improving education and providing entrepreneurial opportunities for Latinas.
Eva also served on the Obama administration's Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, a testament to her commitment to educational causes.
Her environmental activism includes her work with Padres Contra el Cáncer, a non-profit organization that helps families cope with childhood cancer. She also supports the Clothes Off Our Back Foundation, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the National Stroke Association, Project HOME and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
She is also deeply involved in the Global Gift Foundation, a non-profit philanthropic organization dedicated to making a positive impact on the lives of children, women and families in need. As Honorary President, she frequently attends and organizes Global Gift galas to raise funds for various charitable causes. These popular galas attract international celebrities and prominent personalities to support the Foundation. They often include auctions of unique items and experiences donated by celebrities or companies, with proceeds going directly to the organization's charitable initiatives. Funds raised at these galas have benefited numerous initiatives and projects worldwide, such as providing clean drinking water to disadvantaged communities, supporting children with rare or chronic diseases, empowering women and promoting education and entrepreneurship among disadvantaged populations.
Her affiliation with the Global Gift Foundation is closely linked to her own charity, the Eva Longoria Foundation. The two organizations often collaborate, sharing the mission of helping marginalized communities and providing resources to unprivileged people.
Through her active role with the Global Gift Foundation, Longoria continues to extend her philanthropic reach beyond her own foundation. She leverages her global influence to highlight important issues and raise vital funds, making a significant impact on diverse communities around the world.
Moreover, her commitment to feminism has played an important role in her public life. She has been a strong voice against gender inequality, particularly in the entertainment industry. Longoria notably is a founding member of Time's Up, an initiative launched in response to the Me Too movement, aimed at combating sexual harassment and discrimination in Hollywood and ohter workplaces.
Her humanitarian action also extends to global causes. As an ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), she has shown unwavering dedication to improving the lives of children around the world.
Multiply rewarded for her thriving career, she received the ultimate recognition in 2018 with her own star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in Los Angeles. Following this recognition, Eva Longoria shared a heartfelt message on her social networks: "I could never have dreamed that one day I would receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But even more ironic is that the same year I receive my star, so does my idol, my inspiration, my fellow Tejana, my fellow Corpus Christi native, Selena Quintanilla. She was the reason I even dared to dream that a better life was possible. And that that life didn't have to distance you from where you came from. So many people become famous and leave a place without ever crediting it with the role it played in shaping their lives. Selena was proud of being from Corpus Christi, Texas. And that made me proud to be from Corpus. She blazed the way for all of us and I will be forever grateful to her for not only that but for the pure joy I felt when I got to see her perform. Her smile, her charisma, her beauty put every single person who watched her under a spell. Thank you Selena. I know I will receive my star on the Walk of Fame because you dared to dream it first."
Far more than a Hollywood celebrity, Eva Longoria is a pioneer who constantly pushes boundaries and uses her influence to make a difference. Whether it's her memorable on-screen roles, her smart business ventures or her tireless activism and philanthropy, Eva Longoria is a woman of substance whose impact is far-reaching. Her life and career are an inspiration to many, reminding us that success can and should be used as a platform for positive change.
From small-town girl to Hollywood icon, Eva Longoria's journey is a testament to her determination, talent and passion for change. Throughout her career, she has proven herself to be a versatile actress, a successful entrepreneur, a committed activist and dedicated philanthropist.
Using her influence and resources to create opportunities for under-represented communities, she has become a powerful advocate for change, inspiring countless others to follow in her footsteps. Through her work, she has demonstrated that it is possible to excel in many fields while remaining true to her values and her desire to make the world a better place.
To this very day, Eva Longoria continues to break barriers and forge new paths which will undoubtedly impact generations to come. Her story is a source of inspiration for all those who aspire to create meaningful change in their own lives and in the lives of others, proving that with hard work, passion and a commitment to giving back, anything is possible.
In 2020, she awarded the Latino Activism Award, by Latino Entertainment Journalists Association Film Awards.
Eva Longoria Speaks at UN on International Women’s Day 2021
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o43O6ddT64w
https://evalongoriafoundation.org/
https://www.globalgiftfoundation.org/
© Photo : Objectif Festival
© Article by Julie Henry Poutrel for Adama Toulon
In November 2019, she was interviewed by Build Like A Woman, a global platform for you to BUILD the business and life you want.