You Magazine - Supplément du Mail On Sunday (16 nov 2007)

Monica Cruz: Why I'll never be as famous as my sister
By JANE GORDON

Despite being blessed with the kind of looks - not to mention surname - that would have most casting directors queuing up with their couch, dancer-turned-actress and now fashion designer Mónica Cruz believes she'll never be as big a star as her sister Penélope


It is difficult to see Mónica Cruz, wedged – as she is – between the two female minders, described as her amigas,

The 30-year-old dancer and actress, younger sister of the more famous Penélope, is so tiny that her companions (larger than life, lavishly accessorised and of indeterminate age) seem to form a protective wall around her.

But perhaps it isn't surprising that Mónica feels in need of a little protection – this is her first press interview outside her native Spain, an intimidating prospect for someone whose English extends only to "hallo," "goodbye," "thank you" and "Marlboro Lights" (she smokes a lot).

With the aid of a translator we will attempt to talk about her work, her family and the new collection she and Penélope have designed for the Spanish fashion chain Mango.

Body language, however, is international, and when Mónica emerges from between her amigas, offering me her small manicured hand and a dazzling smile, I am struck not only by her beauty (she looks so much like her sister that in Spain people shout "Penélope" at her in the street) but also her charm.

I had been hoping that I would be able to uncover some simmering sibling resentment, the kind that people sometimes imagine exists between other famous sisters such as Dannii and Kylie Minogue – after all, Penélope is an international star while Mónica is relatively unknown outside Spain.

But my first question – a gentle inquiry as to whether the two girls ever fell out, as most sisters do, over borrowing clothes from each other's wardrobes – prompts an indignant outburst from Mónica.

"I have been raised to value my family. Penélope and I never fight, we have a really, really good relationship. It makes me angry and sad when people ask if we argue because I can't imagine a family being any other way."

The three Cruz siblings – Penélope, 33, Mónica, 30, and Eduardo, 22 – grew up in a working-class suburb of Madrid as the children of shopkeeper Eduardo Snr and hairdresser Encarna.

Even as little girls the sisters were incredibly close and there was – Mónica insists – no rivalry. However, I wonder whether, when their mother used to dress them identically, Mónica ever felt she was in Penélope's shadow?

"No, we are all individuals. Penélope was hyperactive – she didn't sleep or eat – and I was always the calm child. I was the good girl – at least until I was 16 or 17!"

"The other day we were looking at some home videos of us as children and Penélope was always the clown – acting, singing, fooling around – and I would just be sitting there looking at her. Just quietly sitting staring at my big sister," she says.

Indeed, rather than resent each other, they shared everything as children, just as they do today (they were recently snapped wearing the same dress on different days). Their passion for fashion comes, they both think, from reading magazines such as Vogue in their mother's salon.

"We are the same size and we borrow each other's clothes all the time. When I stay with Penélope in LA I borrow her clothes and when she comes to Madrid – she has a house near mine – she takes things from my wardrobe," she says.

The loyalty and love between the sisters is something I have encountered before.

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Despite her international success, Penelope says her sister is 'much, much more beautiful than me, and so very talented'


A little over a year ago I interviewed Penélope and she talked of Mónica with the same devotion, describing her as "much, much more beautiful than me, and so very talented."

The more famous Cruz also admired the way her sister had pursued her own career without trading on their relationship.

Both girls studied ballet from the age of four, but while Penélope made the break into acting Mónica stuck with dance, joining Joaquín Cortés's dance company when she was 17.

A role in a hit TV series – Un Paso adelante, about students in a dance academy – then made her a star in Spain.

Although she has since appeared in several European films – including a cameo role in the biggest budget European film ever made, Astérix aux Jeux Olympiques, due out next year – she realises there is a huge block to any future success in the US.

"I don't speak English, so I cannot foresee a career in Hollywood. But I do see myself more and more as an actress rather than a dancer."

"A dancer's life is hard – it is so physically demanding and at any moment you could have an injury that could end your career. I am 30 now and I am going to focus on my acting," she says with a shrug of her slender shoulders.

The similarities between the two sisters are not merely physical. Talking to Mónica I am struck by how similar it feels to interviewing Penélope – they even use the same phrases (Mónica's in translation, Penélope's in fluent but occasionally broken English).

Neither Cruz will talk about their private lives, which in the case of Penélope is understandable since she is marginally better known for the men in her life (Tom Cruise, Matthew McConaughey and, most recently, a rumoured relationship with Spanish actor Javier Bardem) than her films.

Mónica, though, turns as icy as her sister when asked, "Is there a man in your life?" and curtly replies that she "does not talk about" her private life.

Similarly, echoing the opinions of her sister, she does not necessarily "believe" in marriage.

"I want children, but I don't necessarily want to be married because I think marriage is very difficult. To have a successful marriage you have to work hard and regard it as a job," she says with another shrug which suggests that growing up in a broken home (her parents are divorced) has made her cynical.

There is no doubt that the major influence on the Cruz siblings is their mother. Mónica has the word "Mama" tattooed on her wrist and regards her as a "total role model."

"Mama" is no longer a hairdresser because – Mónica says with a warm laugh – she is "so busy looking after us." Encarna lives opposite Mónica in Madrid and is a constant presence in her life.

"My mother is incredible. She is a very strong woman and has taught us so much. It's my mother who has kept us all grounded. I think fame, particularly if it happens when you are quite young, as it did in Spain for Penélope and me, is very corrupting."

"My mother stopped us from getting stupid or big-headed or forgetting how to behave. When I see how some young women behave in Hollywood now – Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears, for example – I'm grateful for the support my mother gave me and my sister and also now my brother."

The youngest Cruz sibling, Eduardo, is famous as a musician in Spain and tipped to become an international star. Mónica is proud of the way he has pursued his career without exploiting his connection with his sisters.

The Cruz girls were recently spotted supporting him at a concert in Mexico, and appear in the video for his forthcoming single "Cosas Que Contar."

"It is very important for us to be seen as individuals with our own careers. I think it is very intelligent of Eduardo to pursue his music in the way he has, and it's only now that he is established that he has asked us to be in his new video."

Similarly, Mónica chose the project with Mango as the first major public collaboration between herself and her sister because she felt the time was right.

She has enjoyed promoting the range they designed together but has found – a lone project without the support of her sister – hard.

"I'm quite shy and quite private. If I have to go to a party or a premiere for my sister I will go, but I don't really enjoy nightlife. I prefer to be at home with my family and my babies."

Her "babies" are her six dogs, and such is her love for them that it enables her to suddenly break through the language barrier to list their breeds:

"Two cockers, one yorkshire, one bichon frise, one pug and one Mexican dog from the street," she exclaims to the applause of the amigas (who have been anxiously hovering around Mónica offering her advice in quick-fire Spanish and sharing cigarette breaks with her).

Clearly emboldened by this success she then recites their names, although the only one it's possible to understand is that of the Mexican street dog called "Jimi for Jimi Hendrix."

As the interview is coming to an end a message flags up on Mónica's BlackBerry. It is Penélope from LA. Do they keep in touch often and do they confide in each other?

"We talk all the time and tell each other everything, even if sometimes we have to do it on the BlackBerry," she says, so relieved that the interview is over that she kisses me on both cheeks and thanks me – profusely and repeatedly – in English.

"Goodbye. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Goodbye," she says as she leaves flanked by her two smiling (but nonetheless intimidating) amigas.


Penélope & Mónica Cruz for Mango is available in stores now, tel: 020 7434 3694, mango.com

Pour celles que ça intéresse, 2 exemplaires de ce magasine sont en vente sur ebay

merci j'aime bien la photo

Oula mais c'est en Anglais ... Rien compris ! mdrr
Mais Moni is very butiful <3'

Moi non plus je comprends pas vraiment... mdr

Sublime Moni

merci bcp!!


la photo est tres belle.

Le texte, je le lirai un jour ou je serai en meilleure forme!lol!

Moni ets sublime!
comme vous toutes l'anglais n'est pas mon fort les langues en general ne le sont pas donc...!
mais je pense pas que qqun le traduise y a bcp sa serai enorme!

Mónica, though, turns as icy as her sister when asked, "Is there a man in your life?" and curtly replies that she "does not talk about" her private life.

Similarly, echoing the opinions of her sister, she does not necessarily "believe" in marriage.

"I want children, but I don't necessarily want to be married because I think marriage is very difficult. To have a successful marriage you have to work hard and regard it as a job," she says with another shrug which suggests that growing up in a broken home (her parents are divorced) has made her cynical.

Ca s'annonce mal, on voyez deja Moni fiancée ! Enfin elle dit qu'elle ne veut pas paler de sa vie privée (alors qu'elle parlait de paolo avant) et quelle veut des enfants mais ne crois pas au mariage...

Aprés sinon ca parle pas mal de Penelope, qu'elles s'habillent pareil, qu'elles ont les memes comportements....qu'il n'ya jamais eu de rivaité, et Penelope pense que Monica est plus belle qu'elle est vraiment talentueuse...
Notre Moni ne parlent pas bien l'anglais a part "Bonjour"... et malboro (elle fume beaucoup)
et Moni a 6 chiens !

Two cockers, one yorkshire, one bichon frise, one pug and one Mexican dog

Elle dit que sa carriere de danseuse fut difficile (toujours le risquede se blesser...) et qu'elle se consacre a son metier d'actrice
Sa mére est incroybale, trés forte...
et a la fin son Blackberry sonne et c'est Penelope...

Apré j'ai pas le courage de tout traduire, si il y a une plus courageuse...

Merci bcp de ns l'avoir traduit!Cé super sympas
Pour PaOlO y'a vraiment un problème avant elle parlais de lui,elle s'affiché avec lui dehors mais maintenant plus rien

Ravissante

Pour le nom du magazine, je sais pas...

Merci pour la traduction et les scans !

Moni est magnifique !

Célia, merci énormément

Mercii pour la traduction et le scann célia!
Moni est superbe les photos

Merciiiiiii !! =)
Elle est tres jolie <3

Trop Belle !!
Mercii pour le scann

sublime!!

merci bcp pour la traduction!

encore une fois de tres jolie photos
merci pour les scans
elle doit quand meme s'enuiyer a certaines interview j'ai l'impression qu'on lui pose toujours les memes questions

Clairement encouragé par ce succès elle récite alors leurs noms, bien que le seul qu'il est possible de comprendre soit celui du chien mexicain de la rue appelé "Jimi pour Jimi Hendrix."
Comme l'entretien(interview) arrive a la fin [???]

C'est Penélope de LA. Restent-ils en contact souvent et confient-ils l'un à l'autre ?

"Nous parlons tout le temps et nous nous disons tout, même si parfois nous devons le faire sur [??]," dit-elle, si soulagé(délivré) que l'interview soit termine et elle m'embrasse sur les joues et me remercie - à plusieurs reprises - en anglais.
"Au revoir. Merci, merci,

dsl j'ai pas tout compris