Language is essential for a person because it represents one's identity and culture. However, for some people, this is the case. So is it really important to speak Spanish to be called a Latino?

Television nowadays showcases diversity, but little to most people's knowledge, many well-known celebrities with Hispanic roots do not speak Spanish.

Some Latino celebrities achieved a lot without speaking the language. Here are some of them:

1. Eva Longoria

Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria is a well-known persona in American television. She is a famous actress, producer, writer, and businesswoman with Spanish roots as both her parents are Mexican. However, the actress barely speaks the language, which she openly admits.

2. Selena Quintanilla 

The Queen of Tejano Music is admired and loved by many, even 25 years after her death. She became instrumental in making Tejano music popular in the United States. However, it is not known to everyone that Selena was not fluent in speaking Spanish, which is a surprise to many, knowing that some of her songs feature the language. 


3. Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez, who is a well-known singer and performer, was born in Texas and came from Mexican descent. But this Selena does not speak Spanish as well. She tried to learn to speak the language through Rosetta Stone Language Course. And while she learned some basic vocabulary, she seems to be conscious when using the language due to her accent.



4. Demi Lovato

Award-winning pop star Demi Lovato was born in Texas but had Mexican roots on her father's side. However, it is not known to everyone that Demi Lovato does not fluently speak Spanish.



5. Naya Rivera

Naya Rivera is part of the original cast of Glee. She admitted that she lacks knowledge in speaking Spanish, but she can speak a few phrases. However, because of her love for her culture and roots, she is continuously learning to speak the language with her children.



6.Carlos Pena, Jr.

Carlos Pena, Jr., who is more popularly known as Carlos Roberto PenaVega, has a deep Latino heritage. His father is Venezuelan, and her mother is Dominican. Despite this, the popular actor grew up never speaking Spanish. Now, he has shown progress in learning to speak Spanish through the help of her wife, Alexa Vega.

7. Cameron Diaz

Cameron Diaz, though not known to many, descended from a deep Cuban line. She does not speak Spanish, but she remained her ties with her Latino heritage through her father, Emilio Diaz.



8. Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera, who is a well-known singer, songwriter, actress, and TV personality, is half-Irish, half-Ecuadorian. Despite being proud of her Latin roots, she does not fluently speak Spanish. She does, however, have an album in 2000 entitled "Mi Reflejo."



9. Jessica Alba

Jessica Alba's parents were Mexican-American and Dutch-French. However, she does not know how to speak Spanish because her grandfather decided only to teach his children the English language. Later in her career, it was found that the actress hired a private tutor to teach her to speak Spanish. She also watched Spanish TV and movies to help improve the learning process.



10. America Ferrera

America Ferrera was born in Los Angeles from Honduran parents. Ferrera, who became popular because of her dynamic role in Ugly Betty, proves that one person can still be an influential Latina, who is proud of her culture, without speaking the language. This show that made her famous was based on a Colombian telenovela called Yo soy Betty, la fea. 



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