Actress and activist Eva Longoria was in town this weekend to host her global charity’s fundraising dinner. We sat down with the philanthropist ahead of the star-studded Global Gift Gala in Dubai’s Zabeel Saray on Palm Jumeirah.
Welcome to the UAE Eva. You’re staying at Jumeirah’s Emirates Towers in Dubai for a few days, have you had the chance to do any sightseeing?
Yes, I went to the spice market. What else should I see?
Well you’ve done the Creek so you should also go to the desert, the beach, The Palm, the capital..
I’m going to Abu Dhabi tomorrow! I’m going to see the mosque and really looking forward to it.
What made you choose Dubai for your Global Gift Gala this December?
We [the organization] have a lot of friends in Dubai that kept saying, “you have to bring the gala to Dubai!” They’d seen it take place in London France, Marbella, Cannes and Mexico. So, they asked us to bring it here as they knew there was a need to bring awareness and provide a platform for all the amazing things that are happening.
The global galas have raised over $3mn in the past year, which city has been the most generous to date?
I would say so far London. Paris also did amazing. The money goes straight to the children and mothers too.
What TV or film projects do you have in the pipeline?
A film called Frontera with Michael Pena and Ed Harris. I produce a show called Devious Maids which is very successful in the US and has just moved onto Europe. I’ve been directing and producing a lot more recently, staying behind the camera. I actually do philanthropy more than acting these days.
What’s your trick for handling the media’s interest in your personal life?
In the States they don’t really chase me for comments, it’s more paparazzi and fashion photos they’re after. So it doesn’t really bother me. The media will often ask ‘When are you getting married?’, ‘When will you have babies? ‘When are you going to adopt?’ etc. And I feel all of that is irrelevant to your current moment and I think people just want to know how you are today. I like to live in the moment.
You have many famous friends who are charity ambassadors and involved in your cause, not least the Beckhams. There are rumours David Beckham might receive a knighthood from the Queen. Do you think ‘Sir’ and ‘Lady’ Beckham suits the couple?
Oh really? Well I always call David ‘Sir’ anyway. So it wouldn’t be anything new for me! But I hadn’t heard that, it’s really cool.
You’re a fan of Victoria Beckham’s dresses, will you wear one of her designs to the gala tonight?
No, in fact I’m wearing a dress by a Russian designer tonight, but it was great fun to be in London recently with Victoria.
She was so gracious to auction off one of her label’s dresses and a personal fitting – that’s something money can’t buy. It’s great to raise that kind of money for the kids.
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For more information about the charity go to
http://globalgiftfoundation.org
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To see our video interview with Eva Longoria click on
