I think the Miss Universe title not only gives me the opportunity to become a role model for Latina girls around the world, but to show that beauty isn't just about the outside.
I was going through puberty and was much curvier than other girls, which made me insecure. Then I saw J. Lo on the cover of 'Latina' magazine, and she embraced those curves and was proud of who she was.
I grew up in L.A. in a school that was diverse, but it was not really integrated, so I didn't ever fully fit in with the black girls or the white girls or the Latina girls.
I'm so proud to be a Latina. Growing up and being Latina and growing up with my father and getting to do a lot of the Hispanic traditions, I loved it.
It might sound dramatic and a little grandiose, but as a Latina, I would like to be someone that gives a voice to my culture.
There couldn't possibly be a more label-driven industry than acting, seeing as every audition comes with a character breakdown: 'Beautiful, sassy, Latina, 20s'; 'African American, urban, pretty, early 30s'; 'Caucasian, blonde, modern girl next door'. Every role has a label; every casting is for something specific.
No Latina woman would be called 'Ms.' - that's an invention of middle-class Anglo women. Latina women are proud to be called 'Mrs.' That simply means that we have a family.
I love going to the hair salon. I'm Spanish. I think it's more of a Latina thing to go to the hair salon.
It's so exciting to headline a film. It's not every day you see a Latina carrying a full-length feature.
