America Ferrera: a newcomer who wants to keep the mold broken

"I went through a lot of self-doubt," admits America Ferrera, 18, of the years before she was cast to star in her first film, Real Women Have Curves. "I never turned on the TV and saw a Latina woman with an average body and I thought, I'll never be a Charlie's Angel, because I can't fit into size zero leather pants." Turns out, Charlie's loss is our gain.

In the joyously feisty Real Women, Ferrera, from L.A's Woodland Hills neighborhood, plays the smart, self-confident Ana, a Mexican-American teenager who refuses to bow down to the perfectly toned idols our culture sets before her. Despite prodding--epsecially from her hypercritical mother (Lupe Ontiveros)--Ana holds tight to her belief that we don't all have to look like Cameron, Gwyneth or Britney.

Apparently, Ferrera and her director, Patricia Cardoso, aren't the only women ready for some realistic role models; Sundance audiences went so wild for the film (it won the festival's Dramatic Audience Award, and Ferrera and Ontiveros split the Special Jury Prize for Acting) that it's being released theatrically this month, instead of airing on HBO as originally planned. Ferrera isn't at all surprised by the enthusiastic response: "You leave this movie feeling happy about who you are. And that's something we're all hungry for."

Elizabeth Weitzman is a regular Interview contributor. Above: America Ferrera wears a jacket by CIMARRON. Skirt by DKNY. Boots by HOGAN. Cosmetic colors: M*A*C. Styling: TUNNEY & LEAL/luxe. Hair: JAMAL/hamadibeauty.com. Makeup: HEE SOO KWON/ therexagency.com. Location and props: EMILY MARSHALL/Factory Artists. Special thanks: 5TH AND SUNSET, L.A. Fashion details page 195. Photographer: DANIELLE LEVITT.

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