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COVER STORY |
March/April 2008
Inside Sofia Vergara's Perfect World |
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Photos by Barry Peele/Icon International |
SHE HAS THE KIND OF BEAUTY THAT MAKES MEN SWEAT AND WOMEN STARE WITH AN
EQUAL MIXTURE OF DISBELIEF AND ENVY. AND UNDERNEATH THAT FLAWLESS EXTERIOR IS
A DOWN-TO-EARTH BRAINIAC WHO REALLY JUST WANTED TO BE A DENTIST WHEN SHE
GREW UP.
IN ONE OF LIFE’S TURNING-POINT MOMENTS, THOUGH, SHE WAS SPOTTED BY A TALENT
SCOUT STROLLING ON THE BEACH WITH HER MOM. SINCE THAT FIRST PEPSI COMMERCIAL
WAS FILMED WHEN SHE WAS STILL IN HER TEENS, SHE HAS BEEN IN FRONT OF THE
CAMERA MORE OR LESS EVER SINCE.
IN THIS INSIGHTFUL INTERVIEW WITH EDITOR AT LARGE KATHLEEN MASCAREÑAS,
READERS ARE TREATED TO A DIFFERENT VOYEURISTIC VIEW OF THIS OFTEN BIKINI-CLAD
BEAUTY—FROM THE INSIDE OUT. EVEN FROM THIS ANGLE, SOFIA VERGARA HAS THE
ABILITY TO MAKE JAWS DROP.
JUST THE FACTS
BORN: July 10, 1972
HOMETOWN: Barranquilla, Colombia
FAMILIA: Five brothers and sisters; one son (Manolo) born in
1992
FAMILY NICKNAME: La Toti
HEIGHT: 5 feet, 7 inches tall
FAVORITE SINGER: Sofia claims she is Shakira’s “Number One
fan”—in addition to being friends with the multitalented singer,
who also hails from Barranquilla.
GRACIAS, POR NADA: Sofia got a mention in Andrew
Morton’s new book, Tom Cruise: An Unauthorised Biography.
According to her publicist, though, neither Sofia nor any of her
friends ever talked to Morton, and the allegation that Cruise
targeted her as “an alluring figurehead for a future [Scientology]
recruitment drive in Latin America” is not true. Former British
tabloid journalist Morton also is the author of unauthorized
biographies of Princess Diana, David Beckham and his wife
Victoria, Monica Lewinsky and Madonna.
BIGGEST ACCOMPLISHMENT: In Sophia’s view, it is her son, Manolo
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Latino Future:What would your life be like if you
had not been spotted on the beach by a talent
scout?
My life would’ve been great anyway. I had always
dreamed of being a dentist. Even after I shot the [Pepsi]
commercial,
I went on to
study three years
of odontology. I
think I would’ve
been a very
good, fun
pediatric dentist.
I’m still obsessed
with teeth.
You remind me of a blend between singer/
comedian/actress Charo and the classy Italian
actress Sophia Loren. Is there an actress you
respect and try to emulate?
Charo is tremendously funny and talented—and I consider
Sophia Loren to be one of the most beautiful women ever
to walk this world—so thank you for the comparisons.
I [also] respect Salma Hayek a lot as an actress and a
producer.
But more than emulating someone in particular, I [am]
inspired by the wonderful, hardworking women I meet
everywhere—from my housekeeper’s friends to great
producers and colleagues.
You have successfully crossed over from
Spanish-language to English-language
audiences. How difficult was that for you?
I still think I have a lot to prove. I’ve just been working
hard, and giving my best on auditions. I’ve also
been very fortunate and surrounded myself with
good people.
Have English
audiences been
kind to you?
Roselyn Sanchez
told me [during the
interview for the
January/February
2008 cover story]
producers and
even American
fans often have a
difficult time
taking her
seriously because
of her accent.
Have you had that
experience?
English-speaking
audiences have been
extremely kind and
welcoming. I have
never really felt [I had]
a problem being taken
seriously because of my accent—but I do mostly work in
comedies.
[I do have] to play up stereotypical Latina characteristics.
[Hollywood] directors have asked me many times to
exaggerate my accent. They find it extremely sexy or funny
and colorful. And my
wardrobe is often
very colorful. Rather
than being a difficulty,
I think my accent
has helped me get
where I am.
Obviously, Latinas
in Hollywood long
for more interesting,
original and less cliché roles. But the same wish extends to
actresses in general. We are starting to see great scripts for
more mature women on TV and in film, and for actresses
of all sizes and nationalities.
Great Latina actresses have already paved the way for us
to prove our success at the box office and in the Nielsen
[television ratings]. To play the “minority card” in this
business just doesn’t agree with me.
Is it true that you are naturally a blonde, but
have been asked to dye your hair darker to look
more Latina?
Yes, for many I am an oddity: an artificial brunette with
blonde roots. The truth is, for many decision makers in
Hollywood, a blonde Latina with a [Spanish] accent isn’t
Latina. Go figure. It’s what I have had to do to fit in with
their vision—and it has paid off.
Do you prefer to be a blonde or brunette?
I like both, but dying my roots constantly to make
them darker is a hassle.
What does it take to
look as good as you
do? How much is
great genes versus
rigorous workouts
and good handlers?
I eat like a 200-pound
man—huge portions of
food, but mostly healthy
stuff. My weakness is
desserts. I am aware I
can’t diet. It makes me
cranky [and] miserable.
So I work out like a huge
man, too. Of course, I
take good care of my
teeth and my skin. I am
always trying different
skin creams.
I also try to live
carefree and be as natural
as possible. I don’t even
wax my eyebrows. So
yes, genes are definitely
a great advantage, but
you need to live smart
and take care of your
health.
I’ve seen you on the
red carpet. Everyone
literally stops to stare at
you. How do men and
even women respond
when you walk into a
grocery store?
Friends sometimes comment
on the way people respond to
me or treat me, even in places
I am sure no one knows me.
The magic wears off once
they see me eating like a pig
and laughing full blast.
Do you ever get tired of
the stares?
To tell you the truth, I don’t
notice them that much. If it’s
too intense, I just say,
“Hola!”
Are you ever self-conscious?
Not at all. Oops, did that
sound bad?
You seem to have a great
sense of humor. Is that a
family trait?
It’s a Colombian trait. Whenever you see a group of
Colombians out of the workplace, 9 out of 10 times they
are telling jokes, making fun of someone, sharing funny
anecdotes and having a great time.
In a television interview with Jimmy Kimmel
you said you do housework like scrub the toilets
and floors. Were you serious?
I have help, but trust me: If my son leaves the kitchen
messy or there’s mud all over the floor, I have no problem
getting on all
fours to scrub
and clean. I
only lied to
Jimmy by
saying I did it
in high heels
and stockings.
You were
raised a
devout
Catholic.
Are you still a religious person and does that
ever interfere with your career?
If going go to mass, thanking God regularly, praying and
trying to be a good human being fits your definition of
being religious, then I am. Still, I’m far from being the
perfect Catholic. On the other
hand, Catholicism doesn’t
interfere with any honest
career.
 You still look like you’re
in your 20s, but will be 36
years old in July. Do you
feel time catching up to
you or are you getting
better with age?
Honestly, I find it difficult to
believe that growing old
beautifies anyone’s appearance
after a certain age. But if you
consider “getting better” [is]
feeling more relaxed, more
comfortable in your skin, then
I am definitely getting “better”
by the minute.
Is it true you’ve never
had plastic surgery?
My breasts, butt, nose, legs,
face, etc. are 100% natural.
Still, I can’t guarantee that will
be true forever.
You are widely respected
as a single mom. How
difficult has it been to
juggle a demanding
career with the difficult
task of raising a child
alone?
Let me put it this way: Raising a boy well is difficult—
even more so if you’re divorced and the dad is thousands
of miles away; tougher if relatives don’t always live in the
same city or country; more challenging if you are raising
him in the USA; and almost superhumanly challenging if
you are in this business.
Sofia en Acción
See Sofia in her latest movie, Meet the
Browns, which also stars Angela
Bassett and Tyler Perry. The movie
opens March 21.
OTHER MOVIES
Pledge This(2006)
Lords of Dogtown(2005)
Grilled(2006)
Soul Plane(2004)
Four Brothers(2005)
Chasing Papi(2003)
ON TV
Dirty Sexy Money
(4 episodes in 2007)
The Knights of Prosperity
(13 episodes in 2007)
Entourage
(1 episode in 2007)
Amas de Casa Desesperadas
(23 episodes, 2007)
In this Latin American version of Desperate
Housewives, she also served as Executive
Producer on some episodes
Fuera de Serie
(on Univision, 1995-1999)
Former co-host of the popular travel show
ONLINE
www.sofiavergara.com
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I have made many decisions as a mother that do not
agree with my career, but I have no regrets. My son is my
first priority and—luckily—all the efforts have paid off
well. I know disciplining and teaching don’t go hand-inhand
with being
cool or being
your kid’s best
friend, and I’m
fine with that.
The fact is,
Manolo is
wonderful! He
hasn’t given me
major headaches.
He’s a
great student, a
respectful, cool
and talented kid. He’s my life and the way he’s turned out
is, by far, my greatest accomplishment.
Are you hugely popular with your son’s friends
now that he is a teenager? And do you think they
own any of your calendars?
For Manolo’s friends, I’m just another nagging mom. When
I first meet them, especially now that they’re teenagers,
there are always the whispers, and the “Your mom is hot”
jokes.
As soon as I demand they wash their hands, I become
an ugly witch. I don’t think any of his friends have an old
calendar of mine. By now they would have asked me to
sign it and then sold it on eBay the very next day. [Editor’s
Note: Sofia’s son was born in 1992].
What does he think about your fame and beauty?
Is he affected by it?
He doesn’t think I’m that famous and beautiful. I’m just his
mom. And remember: He sees me in the morning.
You do a lot of charity work.Which projects are
closest to your heart—and why do you devote
time to these endeavors?
Anything that has to do with helping children in Colombia
is close to my heart. We have built cancer pavilions, done
vaccination programs, built parks, brought deserving kids
to Disney World. I support organizations such as Peace
and Hope for the Children of Colombia and participate
in programs such as Sueños Sin Fronteras.
You also are a spokesperson for the American
Diabetes Association. I understand all of your
siblings are diabetic.
Type 1 diabetes has always been part of the day-to-day
in my family. Since my brothers and sisters were kids,
they have been getting 3, 4, 5 doses of insulin daily.
Mysteriously, I am the only one that doesn’t have it.
They studied our case and ran all types of tests on
me.
Educating Hispanics about prevention and
treatment is crucial. Compared to U.S. whites, we
have a 90% chance of getting diabetes. Obesity
plays a big factor in getting Type 2 diabetes—and
[that’s] preventable.
What is your greatest dream for your
career—and for your life?
I simply want to be happy, healthy, loved and in
love, with enough time to read two good books
a week and do the things I like. [I want] all
this with my son grown, successful, [and]
accomplishing his own dreams and enjoying
life to the fullest.
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