I grew up as the ugly duckling, they called me 'la prieta fea', which means ugly dark one - that was my nickname.

I could be a party girl, dating whoever I want and being reckless, but I like being in a relationship. When you have somebody who grounds you and keeps you sane, it helps.

Latinos have not historically been a culture that unites easily. We're very factioned - you have your Mexican Americans, your Puerto Ricans, your Cuban Americans, your Central Americans - and sometimes we focus on the differences more than the commonalities.

I'm super careful with my skin and make sure to protect it. I always sit under an umbrella. And I'm a sunblock bully. If you're on the beach with me, I will spray you down with SPF 50-plus.

Staying in shape does not come easily, especially as you get older and you don't have as much time or energy to exercise. I used to be naturally skinny in high school and college. I was in cheerleading, ran track, and did gymnastics, so I had a built-in five-hour workout every day. Lately, I've been doing Pilates on the Megaformer, which is like Pilates on steroids.

Beauty lies mainly, above all, in personality, not in the skin.

I don't regret anything I do, ever, whether articles I've done or things I've said. And as far as what's happened in the past, I wouldn't take anything back.