Dubai: Desperate Housewives actress and activist Eva Longoria showed a lighthearted side to herself at a Saturday morning press conference in the city, where she is promoting the Global Gift Foundation, ahead of the first edition Global Gift Gala in the UAE later that evening.
She congratulated the city on their recent Expo 2020 win, jokingly taking credit for it.
“Mabrook! I think I’m good luck,” she said. “Because I was in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico the day they got announced best city in the world, so the whole city was celebrating, and now I come here and you guys just won the bid. I think it’s me, I’m bringing luck around the world.”
“Everybody in the world looks to Dubai as this glamorous place, this beautiful jewel in the Middle East, and I want them to know Dubai for being philanthropic and giving and caring because I’ve met so many amazing people here that reflect that,” Longoria said.
The foundation, which began in 2005, raises money internationally — it’s been to Paris, Cannes, Marbella and London this year — to improve lives of women and children. Longoria was named Honorary Chair by co-founders Maria Bravo and Alina Peralta, who were both in attendance at the conference.
They joined forces with Noor Dubai Foundation to raise funds and prevent forms of blindness. At the Gala, which will feature a live auction and a performance by singer-songwriter Maxwell, Longoria will honour Grammy-winner Ricky Martin with the ‘Global Gift Humanitarian’ award.
“I know a lot of you guys know Ricky Martin for ‘Livin’ La Vida Loca’,” said Longoria. “But what he has done in Thailand, and what he does [against] sex trafficking and human trafficking is absolutely amazing ... We’re so excited to have Ricky, because he’s just truly a great man and a great humanitarian.”
Read the full interview in tabloid! on Monday.
