Eva Longoria opens up on being inspired by Jennifer Lopez, says the singer 'broke down so many doors'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Eva Longoria has heaped praises on Jennifer Lopez for paving the way for several Latin women to get a chance to fulfill their dreams in the Hollywood industry.

While speaking to People at Elle's Women in Hollywood celebration in Los Angeles on Tuesday, December 5,  Longoria, 48, revealed that it was the 'If You Had My Love' singer, 54, who inspired her at the initial phase of her career. 

“Jennifer broke down so many doors so that we could walk through them,” the 'Desperate Housewives' alum told the outlet, adding “And she kicked them down. They were not easy doors.”

Eva Longoria on Jennifer Lopez portraying late singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez in the film 'Selena'

Speaking about Lopez’s portrayal of the late singer Selena Quintanilla-Perez in the 1997 biographical musical drama film 'Selena', Longoria added, "I'm from Corpus Christi, Texas. I was an extra in that movie and to look up on the stage and go, 'Oh my gosh.'"

“First of all, to see Selena do it, and then to see Jennifer play Selena, you're like, 'There is opportunity for somebody who looks like me,'" the actress and producer explained. 'Flamin' Hot' actress Annie Gonzalez, who was also present at the event, revealed to the outlet that Longoria paved the way for her. 

Eva Longoria says she wants to build 'the pipeline of talent from our community'

“That's the reason I do what I do,” Longoria continued, adding “I want to build the pipeline of talent from our community, but also showcase the talent that we have in our community.”

The star added that the Latinx community’s talent pool has “never been tapped into,” despite having “such amazing, talented actors, directors, writers, in front of, behind the camera. And so for me, the purpose of doing what I do is to help give our community that experience they need to go onto the next project.”

Longoria, recognized for her portrayal of Isabella Brana on the CBS daytime soap opera 'The Young and the Restless', also opened up to the outlet about her holiday plans, stating that she and her family will be doing “a lot of tamale making.”

Meanwhile, in November, the star shared several Instagram videos that featured her son Santiago, five, and husband Jose Antonio "Pepe" Baston, 55, getting ready for Thanksgiving by cooking some treats for their celebration.

"What are we doing?" she asked Santiago in a video, to which he replied, "Thanksgiving party!"