S Poddar
Eva Longoria, another iconic actress renowned for her role in Desperate Housewives, recently revealed much about her reasons for relocating her family out of the United States. The 49-year-old actress now lives with her husband, José Bastón, and their six-year-old son, Santiago, splitting her time between Spain and Mexico City. Her relocation, however, has nothing to do with the political outcome of the 2024 US presidential election.
Appearing as a guest on The View: Behind the Table podcast on November 15, Longoria addressed the myriad speculations surrounding her departure. Longoria told co-host Ana Navarro that she did not have a change of heart to leave due to President-elect Donald Trump defeating Vice President Kamala Harris at the polls.
“Will you please let them know I didn’t leave the United States because of Trump?” Longoria asked. “I’ve been in Europe almost three years.”
She was quick to clarify that her reason for leaving was more professionally motivated than anything else. “I did not leave because of the political environment. I left because my work took me there,” she said emphatically.
Longoria, a native Texan, said for me that living abroad gives her some relief from the relentless 24-hour news cycle. However, she rejected the divisive narratives surrounding her move. “We can’t be that way right now,” she said, urging unity amid political polarization.
Longoria went to Marie Claire recently and spoke of why she went through the transition. She talked about life in California, saying that changes not only in Hollywood but also in her environment led to that decision.
“I’ve spent my entire adult life here,” she said of California. “But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then Covid happened, and it pushed it over the edge. Whether it’s the homelessness or the taxes—not that I want to s*** on California—it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.”
Longoria, to mention another interviewee, revealed her privilege as she leaves and makes this move. “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,” she candidly shared.
Though Longoria has changed her address, she remains a very active person within the entertainment circle. She featured in the CNN miniseries Searching for Mexico in 2023 and will feature in a sequel series called Searching for Spain soon.
The above election took place in 2024; Donald Trump won the second term by defeating Kamala Harris. Earlier, Longoria had endorsed the campaign for president with Kamala Harris by supporting her alongside other celebrities.
Indeed, Longoria’s decision to leave America is less a response to politico-social indicators and more tied to professional opportunities and personal inclinations. She remains an activist for change in the U.S. Her journey speaks of the nuances of navigation through a changing cultural and professional landscape.
