Penelope Cruz has admitted that she “did not handle” the nude scenes in her first film well.

The Oscar winner said that she was “inspired” to overcome early struggles by her mother Encarna, a fierce supporter of her acting career.

“I did not handle it at all well,” she wrote in The Sun. “I had a strong reaction to anything sexual or sensual for a while. I cut my hair short. I didn’t do any love scenes – not even kisses – for many years.

“I was told by everyone, ‘You are risking your career’, but I followed my heart. My mother was at ease with what I had done and inspired me to go on to do other things.”

Cruz, who gave birth to her first child with husband Javier Bardem in January 2010, also credited her parents for the fighting spirit that propelled her to success.

“I was a fighter as a kid and even if all these people were telling me it is impossible [to become an actress], I would try,” she said. “I was very strong about what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to do things outside the experience of my family.

“With the way my life keeps changing, I have learned to value everything I have – and thank my mother and father Eduardo for that.”

Cruz previously described becoming a mother to young Leo as the “most beautiful feeling”.

source: digitalspy.co.uk

Despite a rough year, the ‘Desperate Housewives’ actress keeps a positive attitude

After a tumultuous year following her divorce from San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker, Eva Longoria was looking to get lucky.

And, based on her recent interview with Vanity Fair Spain, the petite actress has definitely gotten lucky in love – with Penelope Cruz’s younger brother Eduardo.

“The truth is, I should be angry, resentful and disillusioned about relationships. But I’m not,” the 36-year-old actress said. “I was very lucky to find Edu.”

Longoria and Cruz, 26, were first spotted together in February earlier this year, shortly after her divorce from Parker was finalized.

But just because her three-year relationship with the French-born athlete didn’t work out doesn’t mean Longoria has given up on the possibility of romance once more.

“There’s a reason I fell in love and got married,” she said. “I believed in it.

“Love did not work with that person,” she said of Parker, whom she caught having an affair. “But it can work with another.”

Source: http://www.nydailynews.com

Leonardo DiCaprio and Bar Refaeli made a surprise appearance at Penelope Cruz’s baby shower on Saturday (January 16)!

The 36-year-old actor and his 25-year-old girlfriend “wanted to show up and surprise [Penelope]” at the event held at a mansion in Hollywood, a source told the New York Post.

Penelope is expected to give birth any day now and is headed to Palm Springs with Javier for some relaxation before the big day arrives.

source

Looking chic in all black, Penelope Cruz tried to hide her growing Bardem baby bump while leaving a London restaurant last night (October 27th).

source:  TMZ.com

Stepping out for a rare evening in the public eye, Penelope Cruz was spotted at the Groucho Club in London, England last night (October 26).

The 6-months-pregnant “Vanilla Sky” actress was joined by her husband Javier Bardem and sister Monica Cruz, though the paparazzi seemed more interested in her growing baby bump.

Penelope has been busy working on the 4th installment of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” franchise along with Johnny Depp.

But given her preggers profile, Penelope’s sister Monica has been hired on as a body double for a few scenes.

source: Celebrity-Gossip.net

Penelope Cruz isn’t hiding her pregnancy anymore.

She stepped out Monday wearing a see-through top that proudly displayed her bump at London’s Heathrow Airport.

Last month, Cruz, 36 – who wed Javier Bardem this past July – announced to UsMagazine.com that she was four-and-a-half months pregnant.

“Yes, it’s true,” Bardem, 41, recently told reporters while promoting his latest film, Eat Pray Love. “I am very happy.”

Bardem wouldn’t reveal whether their baby-to-be will be a boy or girl. And what about fatherly words of wisdom? “It is a little too soon for me to be giving advice,” he said. “I don’t know yet, but I will found out soon.”

source: US Magazine