“When a film directed by a woman does badly, there are no other options, it is different for a man” – Corriere.it

“Today, Gabrielle Solis would be an influencer, she would be a real social media guru.” Eva Longoria, the most sparkling and restless of them all Desperate Housewives, the hugely popular TV series that aired from 2004 to 2012, can’t shake off the character that made it famous. “I miss Gabby, I miss those times,” she says. The opportunity arose with the promotion of “Flamin’ Hot”, the film that marks her directorial debut after a long career as an actress and producer. Coming June 9th on Disney+, the film tells the story of Richard Montañez (played by Jesse Garcia), who went from cleaning man to manager thanks to an intuition at the famous American food company Frito-Lay: to create chips and snacks for discerning people and hispanic taste buds community in the United States. Americans – and Mexicans with them – love colorful food, and so do I Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, vermilion verging on fluorescence have become an iconic American pop culture phenomenon. Less known until now was the story of its creator that Longoria made it to the cinema, funny, tender and with the most classic happy ending.

Does the American dream still exist, Ms. Longoria?

“It’s still there, but it’s definitely harder to conquer. This film explores the concept that opportunities are not equally distributed. Talent, on the other hand, is there, but it’s necessary that there’s an infrastructure that makes it possible, and that’s what we’re telling in the film.”

«Flamin’ Hot» is also a love story.

“The script didn’t anticipate them at first, but when I met the real Richard and Judy, his wife, I immediately understood that their partnership was fundamental to the story. Their love story was the reason for this man’s success.

So is it true that behind every successful man is a great woman?

“More than anything, it’s true that it’s easier to be successful when those who love you are there for you.”

The entire Hispanic community cheered her directorial debut.

“I was terrified, I couldn’t fail. As a woman and as a representative of my community. When a woman’s film doesn’t work, the financiers are quick to say we tried a woman director and it didn’t work. A director can go bankrupt and immediately get another job, but that’s not the case for a woman.”

Are we still a long way from gender equality in the US?

“The impression is that Hollywood is doing something, but the statistics and the data tell us that the situation is actually worse today than it was a few years ago.” There are fewer female directors and fewer Hispanics in the cast or behind the camera. We have to do better.”

Do you now prefer to be a producer and director than an actor?

“I love doing everything and I would love to be in a film that I direct and produce.”

Would you go back to Wisteria Lane and play Gabrielle Solis there?

“A lot, but I don’t think it’s going to happen. I’ve talked to the creator of about it several times Desperate Housewives, Marc Cherry and he argues that this is no longer the time. It was an innovative series, it was about housewives, about aging women. It had yellows, drama and comedy. I remember before the debut I thought it probably wouldn’t work, I was wrong. Nothing more to add today. We did eight seasons and then one season had 24 episodes, not like now where it’s ten at most. What else should we explore?”

The fact that a season now has ten episodes is one reason for the writers’ strike.

“The entertainment industry is changing and those changes must also lead to better conditions for those who work in the industry. We need to find a way to compensate everyone fairly.”

Another reason the writers are striking is fear of being replaced by artificial intelligence. What do you think? Is it a threat or an opportunity?

“No, I don’t think it could be a chance. Personally, I’m scared of what’s going to happen. AI is already with us, in our phones, computers and cars, whether we want it or not. So we need to find a way to make it useful and non-threatening, there needs to be regulation, especially in the creative sector.”