Eva Longoria reveals she no longer lives in ‘dystopian’ US

Eva Longoria is closing the book on a “dystopian” America − at least for now.
The “Desperate Housewives” actress revealed that she no longer lives in America full-time, in an interview with Marie Claire published Wednesday. Longoria said she splits her time primarily between Spain and Mexico, and though she made the decision prior to the contentious election cycle, the outcome solidifies her choice and contributes to her “anxiety” for those still living in America.
“I’m privileged,” the actress told Marie Claire, “I get to escape and go somewhere. Most Americans aren’t so lucky. They’re going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.”
The actress and director’s husband, José Bastón, and their son Santiago, 6, have joined her in the move.
“It just feels like this chapter in my life is done now,” she said, citing taxes and homelessness as some of the reasons she doesn’t miss primarily living and filming in Los Angeles.
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Longoria has long been a strong supporter of the Democratic party and spent some of the summer campaigning for Vice President Kamala Harris. President-elect Donald Trump’s win is part of the reason she’s happy to be away from the States right now, she told the magazine.
“If he keeps his promises, it’s going to be a scary place,” Longoria said, adding “Even before (the pandemic), it was changing. The vibe was different. And then COVID happened, and it pushed it over the edge.”
USA TODAY has reached out to Longoria’s representatives for additional comment.
“The shocking part is not that he won,” she told the outlet. “It’s that a convicted criminal who spews so much hate could hold the highest office.”
She recalled her feelings about Trump securing the presidency in 2016. “I’ve never been depressed in my life,” she said. “It was like, ‘Does my vote really matter? Am I really making a difference?’ I was so untethered to the core of what I believe because I truly believed in my soul that the best person wins. And then that happened, and I was like, ‘Oh, wait. The best person doesn’twin.'”
Eva Longoria on defying the oddsand fiercely advocating for Latinos in Hollywood
Longoria headlined the Democratic National Convention in Chicago this year, marking her third time speaking at the event. Other celebrity appearances included “Scandal” stars Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn as well as musical artists like Stevie Wonder and Lil Jon.
“I’ve never spoken for the Latino community. I encourage the Latino community to speak for themselves, whether it’s voting or getting educated on the candidates or the issues of our community” the ‘Flamin Hot’ director told USA TODAY in February.
Her work extends beyond the top of the ticket. In 2014, Longoria co-founded the Latino Victory Fund which recruits Hispanic Democratic candidates for positions up and down the ballot.
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A donor herself, Longoria is also a mainstay on Democratic fundraising calls and a powerful surrogate, with special focus on rallying Latino voters.
“We’ve been screaming from the highest rooftop that the Latino vote is not something to take for granted,” she told Marie Claire. That warning is even more salient now as data trickles in showing the deep inroads the Republican party made with Latino men in 2024. Trump won Latino men 55%-43% over Harris, NBC exit polls indicate − a major shift from 2020 when the group backed Biden over Trump 59%-36%.
“I want to know how we can communicate that government and politics affects your life, whether you like it or not,” Longoria said.
Contributing: Pamela Avila