Roseyln Sanchez sat down with Latina magazine and spilled the beans on how she started in NYC, on a role she lost due to her accent, and what Marc Anthony taught her that she has never forgotten.

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On leaving Puerto Rico for the big lights of New York City:

“I was the youngest of four and the only girl, so I was very sheltered. I came with the little money I saved in Puerto Rico – from doing commercials, videos and a variety show – but I didn’t know what credit was. I didn’t know how to write a check. I was taking singing and acting lessons, working as a hostess at a restaurant and changing clothes at a McDonald’s before auditions. It wasn’t until I got my first steady gig in As The World Turns that I told my parents the truth about my experience – had they known, the would’ve sent for me.”

On what she learned from her divorce from [British boxer/model/actor Gary Stretch]:

“To never let any man talk to me in a disrespectful way because of his own insecurities. I was young, naïve and in a new country. After my divorce, Victor Manuelle showed me what a functional relationship was. Now I have the nicest man, an americanito, [actor] Eric Winter, by my side. We’ve been together more than a year. If you find a good man, you’ll be his queen.”

On her musical ambitions after the release of her album, Borinqueña in 2003:

“Although I’m grateful for the opportunities – I was nominated for a Latin Grammy and even had concerts – I’m still not happy about the way my singing career unfolded. Maybe I should’ve done pop, but I wanted to be the Latin Sade.”

On the role she lost out on because of her accent:

“Gabrielle in Desperate Housewives. But I’m happy for Eva [Longoria] because she’s my friend, and she deserved it.”

On the prayer Marc Anthony taught her:

“Dios conmigo y yo con Él [God with me and I with Him]. I say it all the time. I think Marc taught me that when we met on the set of his video for “Nadie Como Ella” [she played his girlfriend], one of my first gigs after I came to New York. In this industry, people will wish you harm, so you have to protect yourself.”