In my family, there was one cardinal priority – education. College was not an option; it was mandatory. So even though we didn’t have a lot of money, we made it work. I signed up for financial aid, Pell Grants, work study, anything I could.
I’ve always thought of myself as a role model even before being a ‘celebrity.’ I’ve always been doing charity work and volunteering in the community since I was 8, so when you do that, I think you just assume that role when you put yourself out there.
I learned French before I learned Spanish.
Marriage is a commitment, so you always have to work at it.
The work part of a relationship is keeping it where you want it.
It’s really important to have a healthy sexuality and to be open about it. It’s not a taboo. It’s normal.
I’ve always seen actresses who constantly date their leading men or somebody they co-star with, and I’ve been the opposite. Once I act with you, I feel like you’re my brother.
I’m not going to stop going to the supermarket just because the paparazzi follow me. I love to cook and a cook needs her ingredients!
I always knew pesticides affected farmworkers. That’s why I always tell people, “eat organic.” Not just because it’s better for you but because you know the people who picked your food weren’t in a toxic environment.
If you eat food or produce, you should take into account where that food comes from.
I grew up with the word “volunteer” as a very powerful word in my family. I was inspired by my mother and by how selfless our family was toward others who didn’t have enough.
So many people think you have to be rich and famous to really create an impact, and it’s just not true. Especially when it comes to environmentalism.
I banned bottled water from my house – we have a water-filter system so you can drink from the tap. We always drink out of glass, and recycling is a huge deal, which everybody can partake in.
The main thing is to be philanthropic in your everyday life. You don’t have to have money to do that. You can do it with your time and your energy.
I didn’t grow up wanting to become an actor at all. I wanted to be a sports trainer and I was actually an aerobics instructor.
I won a scholarship to come to LA and compete in a modeling and talent completion and was amazed when I won it. I had never acted before in my life and won the acting category. I began to wonder what this is about and then decided to see what happened.
I still can’t understand why anyone cares about what I do or what I say.
A marriage is a partnership.
When people think of diversity, they think people of color, but it also means women, who are severely underrepresented as directors, writers and producers.
I’ve been a longtime advocate of farmworker rights.
I’m a pageant girl from Texas, so I like makeup and hairspray. And the smoky eye? I think I was born with it!