The Jessica Alba Controversy

Latina's Editor-in-Chief Has a Message for the Actress' Naysayers

Jessica Alba in an outtake from our March 2008 cover shoot.

Photo: Sheryl Nields

By Mimi Valdés Ryan

When the controversy surrounding Jessica Alba’s roots heated up last fall, we at Latina really wanted to get to the bottom of it. We wrote a passionate letter to Alba’s publicist requesting an interview. Our thinking was that she needed to address her latinidad instead of all these random quotes that may or may not be true.

Immediately, our research department went to work to find where these quotes originally appeared, and absolutely nothing turned up. A rumor about them being in Para Todos magazine was false. I watched damn near every talk show appearance of Alba on YouTube and noticed that she always lovingly talked about her big family. Hmm, that didn’t sound like someone who wanted to cut loose from them.

Fast-forward to my arrival at Alba’s home in Beverly Hills. She was down to talk about anything, completely candid and a real sweetheart. As I read her all of the quotes ("Mexicans spread their seeds," "My grandfather tried to forget his Mexican roots" and "As a third-generation American, I feel as if I’ve finally cut loose"), she tried her best to hide her disappointment that people think these are her words. Even her family is incredibly hurt by all of the negative press. "My grandma gets called out about it," Alba said. "It really hurts my family when they read stuff like that. They really hate it. I always tell them I’m sorry, that it’s just the nature of what I do. People will say things that aren’t true and I can’t really do anything about it." Mind you, this is a family that’s very proud of their heritage and extremely close (1,000 people attended the wedding of her parents!). Her Mexican American father’s parents, as well as many of her aunts and uncles, were all performers at Padua Hills in Claremont, California, the longest-running Mexican American theater in the United States. She even has a cousin, a professor at an Ivy League university, who wrote a book about the complex history of Mexican Americans in California.

The quote about her not wanting to be labeled as a Latina actress is the only one she says is sort of true, but the intention behind the statement has been twisted. "I remember saying a version of that," she told me. "It was a Latin journalist that was like, ‘Don’t you want to be known as a Latin actress? It’s in vogue,’ and all this s--t, and I explained that I didn’t want to be identified as one race ever in Hollywood—that yes, I am Latin, but I just want to be known as an actress, not as a Latin actress or an American actress, just an actress that can do anything."

So to all the Alba haters in the world: She’s not backpedaling on any statements (if anybody has her on tape saying those crazy quotes, we welcome you to come forward!). If people were’t so sure before, our cover story proves she embraces her Mexican heritage. Now leave the girl alone. I wouldn’t mess with anyone who has a family that big!

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'I don`t think I`ll ever do the things that Jessica Alba does in order to stay thin. I read on this article at http://www.projectweightloss.com about her workout program and diet. Did you know she is on a diet since she was 12? Wow!' alexbaran, March 31, 2008 - 7:38am

'Ok, why did Latina Magazine put Jessica Alba on the cover?? I remember reading Latina magazine, not long ago, with Daddy yankee on the cover. She was quoted by latina magazine saying that she does not consider herself Latina because she does not speak the language. i actually saved that magazine because it made me very angry! I am full MEXICAN born in California. I speak Spanish fluently since it is my first language. If I did not speak spanish I would still be Mexican, Latina and Hispanic. it has nothing to do with the language you speak, it has to do with your blood, your heritage! If I did not speak spanish, guess what? I would take some classes and learn it! She is an adult and she hasn't learned spanish? I bet she hasn't even learned the language of her Mother's heritage either. I just think that she needs to watch what she says, after all SHE choose this career! Instead of her cussing in interviews like saying " all this sh**t maybe she should calm herself down and think twice about her words before she opens her big mouth and puts herself in this position. Nobody would care what you said if you didn't MAKE yourself famous and put yourself on the spotlight. Get used to it already and covering your face when your picture is being taken, come on now. You wanted to be famous right? Well you got what you wanted so SMILE!!' pcorrales, March 27, 2008 - 1:47am

'Wow, its amazes me how many Latina's feel exactly the way I did and currently do when I found out Jessica Alba would grace (NOT) the cover of Latina Magazine. First, let me state that I have been a loyal subscriber since the Magazine issued its first publication. For what its worth I felt there was finally a Magazine I could relate to and appreciate. Most of those other Mags publish useless information.. When I read online that (Posted by Perez Hilton) that she was to be on the Cover, my curiosity to what she had to say about all those comments made about Not being Latina, or disassociating herself for her heritage and culture would finally be explain. Then I thought why would Latina Magazine do this... Put her on the cover?? Were the editors looking for attention, or did they need to stir up commotion! Well it worked!! After I read the article, I wasn't sure what to believe! Someone in her position (meaning status)should have done her best to put these so called rumos to rest! But she didn't and still hasn't. Everyone is their own individual and regardless of who you are, you should be proud of what your Heritage is!! Its funny cause Chrisitina Aguiela was frownd upon when she made her Spanish Debut Album.... You know, Latinos in generally are very protective, but GEEZE she did it and you know, she did it GREAT! She also stated she is refreshing her Spanish Speaking Skills to teach her son! Know that's what I call PROUD!! and she is blonder than most of us!! LOL... Look, what Latina Magazine did was try to get the attention of reader.. if this was a ploy for get more sales, then I hope it was successful.... I will continue to read and subscibe, but please..... don't defend someone who doesn't try to set the record straight from the get go!! Jessica Alba is a second class actress with very pretty features! But Trust me, there are way more Beatiful Latina in the World who love their Culture! ' latinagirl10, March 11, 2008 - 6:36pm

'I was disappointed int the Alba article/cover. I don't pity her either. Her father chose to raise them that way and she continued it. I don't buy her claim to want a "brown" baby, most of us just want a healthy baby. Furthermore your magazine has changed so much you should just change the name to WOMEN. HOw very T R I S T E ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! I am not renewing my subscription!!!' adriavalenz, March 11, 2008 - 12:41pm

'This backpedaling is too little, too late. I agree that if this was as important to her as she makes it out to be in the magazine, she would have done some immediate damage control, not waited to be asked. It's a shame because while she is beautiful (questionably talented- but Hollywood has proven that's not exactly needed to make a star) she's also proven with this incident that she's not smart enough for this business (¿y quien quiere a una tonta como representante Latina?) Regardless of whether she said some, all or none of these things, she should have thought about how this was going to affect her Latino fan base and done everything in her power to retract/deny the quotes as soon as they were made public.' bellaella13, March 11, 2008 - 3:17am

'Like I said on the last Jessica article I idelize Jessica for repesenting the Mix Latinos like my self .. and i support her acting career as a Great Actress... ' Nesto88, March 9, 2008 - 12:59am

'I am not going to say anything harsh about Jessica Alba because I realize she is not the only one backpedaling now a days. I will say that I agree with the comment about Latina becoming too much like the mainstream magazines- fluff with little substance. I began reading Latina because it was the only place where I could see ALL my Latino people represented- it was never the best at this, but it was a bona fide effort at a fair representation of all our diversity, history, and culture. Now the diversity is near non-existent and there is a constant emphasis on the stereotypes we are supposed to know better than to represent anymore... When speaking about out actors and actresses I never see Tatyana Ali- una mujer to be proud of! Or Alfonso Ribeiro or any of our Jewish, Muslim, Chinese descended, Middle Eastern descended (except Shakira), or our fully, obviously African or Indigenous descended brothers and sisters who made us who we are today. I respect the beauty of Eva Longoria and Salma Hayek and others like them, but the are the already established and accepted version of our beauty and culture- we claim the fruits of the labor of those that built our nations, but we do not claim them... The US media and our own media has become masters at ignoring and disguising them- shouldn't we be better than that? Shouldn't a magazine claiming to represent us be better than that? Isn't our history more important than the lip gloss we wear?' lacumaican, March 7, 2008 - 1:27am

'I support all this comments made by other readers. I feel like Jessica Alba being on the cover of latina magazine was a direct slap in the face for all readers and latinas who were fans of this magazine. And I repeat WERE fans. Its so sad how Mimi is more intersted in getting an interview with Alba than respecting the authenticity of its readers and what this magazine is really about. I use to love this magazine because I could relate to it and touched alot of things that had to do with my heritage. But now I see that its headed straight to magazines that are shallow, and more worried about kissing celebrities asses than respecting its readers opinions and embracing the authenticity that is being a latin woman. Mimi you should be fired. Im fed up with all of this, and like I read from another reader's comments, Im not jealous, or hating, besides be jealous of what?!!! Alba? lol pleazzzzeeee!!!! Believe me there is nothing to be jealous about when it comes to her!!!!' Mami2003, March 6, 2008 - 2:01pm

'It is unfortunate that Mimi Valdes Ryan did not do her resreach regarding the comments made by Jessica Alba. She was more concerned with snagging an interview with a star. For one thing Jessica Alba has a long way before she becomes a star. The comments made by J. Alba have been around for quite some time and she never made an effort to correct them. It has nothing to do with speaking Spanish but how she presents herself. Noone held anything against Linda Carter or Cameron Diaz for not speaking Spanish. They both never made a deragatory comment about their heritage. J. Alba's comments about her baby and what America looks like are way off. There are many more talented Latinas in all areas of businesses, government and healthcare. This magazine has become junk and I will not be renewing after 8 years. I can not believe the editor would rather lose genuine Latinas for the sake on a person who does not want to be referred as a Latina. I hope Ms. Ryan it was worth it to you. Those of you who think Ms. Alba redeemed herself in this magazine read the March issue of Marie Claire and open your eyes. She was just fooling the editor and the audience.' emtriana, March 3, 2008 - 10:40pm

'If the infamous comments regarding Jessica Alba denying her heritage are "false" then why did it take her so long to step forward and set the record straight? These quotes have been circulating on the web for about a year and a half now; surely someone in her camp (like her manager or publicist) were well aware of them and notified her. In fact, I KNOW they did; she confesses to this in your interview saying: "My grandma gets called out about it," Alba said. "It really hurts my family when they read stuff like that. They really hate it. I always tell them I’m sorry, that it’s just the nature of what I do. People will say things that aren’t true and I can’t really do anything about it." That's strange; she sure was quick enough to threaten to sue Playboy for putting her on the cover even though she didn't pose for the magazine. That was a situation where "People will say things that aren’t true" (making it seem as if she did pose for them) and she made damn sure to correct them and restore her public image. She obviously did not care about those comments and the effect it had on the Latin community. You might also want to pick up the new March issue of Marie Claire where she contradicts what she told you. In Latina she says she is close to the Latin community and always was; in Marie Claire she says: "I don't identify with one race." Hmmm..... Perhaps if she approached Latina magazine to apologize and set the record straight, I would think differently about this cover story. But alas, YOU were the ones who begged her for an interview and I get the impression that she doesn't give a damn. Perhaps she obliged for the sake of hoping it would save her failing career; Into the Blue, Awake, Good Luck Chuck and most recently The Eye, all tanked at the box office. She can give herself delusions all she wants that they were successful; numbers don't lie. Reviews were also bad and they were flat out terrible films. It seems she cannot pull in an audience unless there's all ready a built in crowd like comic book movies. I also have to mention how several ridiculous comments from her surfaced (in magazines and on the web) with the release of the first Fantastic Four film. She complained about the movie roles she was offered (as she does in your interview) and said something to the effect of: "I don't think Natalie Portman is being offered these roles". She is clearly in a state of denial if she thinks she has the talent of an Oscar nominated actress. I do not support Jessica Alba gracing your cover because I feel she is an actress of very little talent, a hypocrite, a lier and someone who is in fact ashamed of her half mexican heritage and doesn't care about the Latin community unless it helps boost her career. No I am not a hater and I am not jealous; I just know a phony when I see one. ' brunette_latina, March 3, 2008 - 11:28am

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