Madrid lit up Sunday night as Eva Longoria received the Platino de Honor at the 2025 Premios Platino, and no one delivered the moment better than her longtime friend Sofía Vergara. As reported by EFE and Telemundo, Vergara surprised the audience and Longoria herself when she took the stage to present the award. With her signature humor and warmth, Vergara joked, “I went to Hollywood wanting to be Eva Longoria, even though she’s way younger than me,” prompting laughter throughout the venue.

“You deserve this award — and that divine husband of yours,” Vergara added, before highlighting Longoria’s advocacy for Latinas through her foundation. “You’re the best,” Vergara told her, as Longoria beamed, visibly moved, and laughing.

Eva Longoria Delivers a Rare, Emotional Speech in Spanish

Taking the stage in Madrid’s IFEMA center, Longoria delivered an emotional acceptance speech almost entirely in Spanish — something fans rarely get to witness.

“I don’t know if you knew this, but I was born in Texas,” Longoria said. “I’m Mexican-American. I also have Spanish blood in my veins,” she told the audience. “But the truth is, my soul is Mexican.”

“Since I began my career in Hollywood in 1998, my dream has been to represent my roots with pride and honor Hispanic women in particular,” Longoria said. “Because, I believe, that when you support a woman to bring out the enormous potential she has inside, we can make great things.”

“Los latinos somos más trabajadores, más apasionados, más humanos, somos gente buena. Hoy el mundo más que nunca necesita eso, gente buena,” she said. (“Latinos are harder-working, more passionate, more human — we are good people. Today, more than ever, the world needs that: good people.”)

Longoria’s heartfelt words and the warmth with which Spain embraced her had the audience on its feet. “Spain has always treated me and my family so well,” she shared. “Here, I feel protected.”

Eva Longoria on Navigating Hollywood: “Neither Here Nor There”

In a powerful speech at a press conference following her award reception, Longoria reflected on the obstacles she faced early in her Hollywood career.

“When I got to Hollywood 30 years ago, I didn’t speak Spanish,” she explained. “But when they looked at me, they saw I was Latina.” She recalled not fitting into either box: too Latina for “American” roles, not Latina enough for Spanish-speaking ones.

“I felt like I was ni de aquí ni de allá,” Longoria said. (“Neither from here nor from there.”)

Longoria emphasized the importance of representation behind the camera to break stereotypes. She shared a pivotal moment when creator Marc Cherry cast her as Gabrielle Solís in Desperate Housewives — a wealthy, glamorous Latina character based on a real family he knew growing up.

“Thank God he had that experience,” Longoria said. “We need people with different points of view writing and producing, because otherwise, nothing will change.”

Honor Where Honor is Due

Longoria’s recognition at the Premios Platino is more than a personal milestone — it’s a reminder of the power of visibility, resilience, and cultural pride. As she said herself, “When I succeed, it shows how great and powerful we are together.”

Through her work in Hollywood and her Eva Longoria Foundation, she continues to create pathways for Latinas and underrepresented communities in the entertainment industry. And her words Sunday night were a rallying cry for a future built on unity, heart, and authenticity.

As Longoria told the world from Madrid, “It’s too easy to represent the most incredible community on this earth. Thank you for making me feel like I’m part of you.”

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