Quotes

[on how she got the role as Gabrielle Solis on Desperate Housewives (2004)] As soon as I read the script, I knew it was pretty special. The creator of the show asked what I thought of the writing as a whole. I told him I had no idea because I'd only read my part. He laughed and told me I'd got the job. He thought my answer was completely Gabrielle.

I didn't really blossom until my mid teens and by that time I had to work on my personality to make people like me. I found it easy to make people laugh and I was always pretty popular.

I love being a woman. I love the sexiness we get to exude. But the best thing about being a woman is the power we have over men.

I love men, I love being in love and having romantic dates. I love learning, I'm like a sponge.

[on going out on a date] I'm a fabulous date, I make sure I look good, I like hearing what a guy has to say and I make sure the evening is a real laugh. I like to laugh.

I'm a late bloomer, my looks came pretty late and success happened at the age of 30. But I'm pleased about things not coming to me immediately because it makes you appreciate it when you finally get it.

I'm definitely no Bridget Jones. I don't believe in that whole "oh there are no decent men out there" thing. Get real girls - there are loads of gorgeous guys on every street corner.

I'm totally blown away by the success of Desperate Housewives (2004). Goals focus you, but dreams have power.

[on her success from Desperate Housewives (2004)] It literally did happen overnight.

[on wearing the "I'll have your baby Brad" T-shirt] That whole T-shirt thing was just a bit of a joke. I did it for a laugh. I never expected my picture to be on the front pages of newspapers and magazines all over the world. It was just something me and my girlfriends thought was funny.

I do like British guys. If I had to pick one it would be Ewan McGregor. I met him once and he was gorgeous even if he is a little short. He has the most amazing charisma.

It would be nice to go out on a date with Brad Pitt but I'm not going to cry about it. There are plenty of other guys out there.

I don't agree with all the boundaries we put on everything. Women are forever discounting men for all sorts of silly reasons - too old, too young, wrong haircut. Give the guy a chance and he may surprise you. I've definitely been pleasantly surprised by my choices and I've always had plenty of choice.

[on marrying again] Believe me, I would shout it from the highest mountain. I married before when I was too young and eloped to Vegas. This time I'd love to have an engagement and a big wedding and do it properly.

Surely, there are more beautiful women in the world. I can name 10.

I'm like Blanche on The Golden Girls (1985). I have a good head on my shoulders but, once in a while, a man will come and knock the sense out of me.

I've always been desperate to be a pussycat. And here I am, a bona fide, show-stopping pussycat.

[on why she does not discuss her on-screen kisses with Tony Parker] I hate the kissing... we don't talk about it because it's just not a comfortable thing to talk about.

You can't do it all. So one thing I consciously did was to focus on humans. Let me tell you, in America there are as many nonprofits for saving puppies, dogs, cats and fish as for humans or children. I don't want PETA to jump all over me, but I just think, "You know what? I'm going to dedicate my efforts to human beings." I thought long and hard about where I want to make a difference. That's when I came up with the Eva Longoria Foundation to promote the education of Latina high school girls. I wanted to be efficient and effective, so that's why I chose Latinas. Also, I am one.

People judge women and put them in a box. Like "You can be the smart one; she's the fun one; she's the hard worker; she's the career one." It's like "No, we're all of these things.".

You know, Teri [Hatcher] was just a loner. I don't know. Me and Marcia [Cross] and Felicity [Huffman] were a lot closer because we are just girlie girls who like to be in each other's company. Teri didn't. There was no bad blood, I think that was just the way it was.

[on why she left California] Whether it's the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to s-t on California - it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.

When Monica Puig won gold at the Olympics, I was in tears! I'm freaking Mexican American, and you would have thought I was Puerto Rican! I was screaming at the television, saying yes!

I like to lead by example. I'm glad I went back to school and got my master's because people can say, 'Well, if she did it I can do it.'