In her latest cinematic endeavor, “Flamin’ Hot,” Eva Longoria shifted her lens towards the creative mind behind Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, Richard Montañez. On the occasion of being honored as one of Time Magazine’s inaugural class of Latino Leaders, Longoria took the opportunity to redefine Hollywood’s perception of “hardworking heroes” by not only celebrating Montañez but also highlighting the influential figure of her “mentor,” Dolores Huerta.
Reflecting on a pivotal moment in her early career, Longoria recounted her encounter with Dolores when she was yet to attain fame during her stint on ‘Young and the Restless’ as an aspiring actress. Recalling their meeting through a mutual friend, Longoria shared, “I was hanging out with her, and she told me, ‘What do you do?’ And she was talking to me and she said, ‘You know what? One day you’re gonna have a voice and you better have something to say.'”
Longoria further elaborated on the lasting impact of Dolores as a mentor, emphasizing how the civil rights activist inspired her to broaden her horizons professionally. “I never forgot that. And she’s been a mentor ever since. She’s the reason I got a Master’s in Chicano Studies. She knows it,” Longoria affirmed.
Dolores Huerta also featured on Time’s Latino Leaders list, delivered an empowering speech that resonated with the audience. In a unifying gesture, she encouraged attendees to greet each other as “African relatives,” emphasizing the common ancestral roots of humanity. The spirited atmosphere culminated in chants of “Si se puede,” echoing Huerta’s message of collective empowerment.
Transitioning from her acknowledgment of Dolores’ influence, Longoria delved into her own response to the mentor’s guidance. Expressing a desire to amplify her impact, Longoria explained, “I wanted to get behind the camera because I knew I would have a bigger impact and the changes I wanted to see in the world and specifically in our countries, specifically in our community because that’s how we’re going to shift culture and that’s where we see how policy affects people.”
Asserting her commitment to storytelling from a diverse perspective, Longoria highlighted her aspiration to create heroes on screen that resonated with her community. She underscored the inclusive nature of her approach, stating, “It’s by us for everybody. I wanted to create heroes for us that look like us on the big screen, and I made a movie,” referencing her film “Flamin’ Hot,” currently accessible for streaming on Hulu.
The narrative of “Flamin’ Hot” revolves around Richard Montañez, the son of immigrants who, while working as a Frito Lay janitor, revolutionized the food industry with the creation of Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, drawing from his Mexican heritage.
Longoria drew parallels between Montañez’s journey and the collective experience, emphasizing the shared struggle against societal expectations. “We’ve all been told, ‘No, that job is not for somebody who looks like you.’ ‘No, that job is not for you because you’re a woman.’ ‘No, maybe you shouldn’t dream that big.’ And Richard dared to ask, but why not me? Why can’t ideas come from somebody like me? Why can’t great things come from somebody who sounds like me? Who has an accent?” she passionately declared.
Recounting a poignant moment during a White House screening, Longoria reflected on the profound impact of seeing individuals resonate with Montañez’s story. The diverse audience, including President Biden, found a connection with the film, prompting laughter and tears. Longoria emphasized the significance of identification and empowerment, conveying that if Montañez could overcome obstacles, others could find inspiration to do the same – a core message embedded in the essence of the film.
