I do have a Mexican accent, but that doesn't mean that I'm a Latin vamp.

I have tried my whole life to represent my Mexican roots with honor and pride.

I know the only reason that I haven't gotten many good parts is because I am Latin - and they tell it to my face a lot of times.

I had to endure the worst time of all in terms of racial discrimination in Hollywood when I first started out. It was inconcievable to American directors and producers that a Mexican woman could have a lead role.

You know Latin people? African-American people? How our skin ages more slowly? Even though we're dramatic, we move our faces, we eat higher-fat foods, we're the ones with fewer wrinkles - it makes you wonder.

I have never denied my background or my culture. I have taught my child to embrace her Mexican heritage, to love my first language, Spanish, to learn about Mexican history, music, folk art, food, and even the Mexican candy I grew up with.