Quote Of The Day By Eva Longoria: 'I Think For Me, There's No Better Position Than To Be Underestimated Because Then You Can Always Overdeliver...'

Eva Longoria won audiences over as the unapologetically self-centered Gabrielle Solis in "Desperate Housewives." Once the primetime comedy came to an end in 2012, she continued to further her career as an actor, producer, and entrepreneur striving to keep Latinx representation at the forefront of her work.

Longoria landed her first notable acting role in 2001, playing Isabella Braña on "The Young and the Restless." She went on to executive-produce "Devious Maids" before pulling double duty as star and EP of "Land of Women." She even directed an iconic episode of "Jane the Virgin" Season 3.

Longoria also executive-produced and hosted a CNN original lifestyle series where she explored the culture and cuisine in Mexico, France, and Spain. In 2023, she made her feature directorial debut with "Flamin' Hot," a biopic about the man who invented Flamin' Hot Cheetos.

In addition to her work in the entertainment industry, Longoria has used her platform to inspire change and advocate for access to education. While pursuing her master's degree in Chicano Studies, the actor and producer kickstarted the Eva Longoria Foundation to provide more opportunities for Latinas in STEM to thrive. She also became a founding member of the Time's Up movement, fighting against sexual assault and workplace inequality in Hollywood. 

As someone who juggles acting, producing, and giving back to her community, Longoria understands how to overdeliver. Before audiences get to see her back on their screens in the upcoming Prime Video rom-com "The Last Sunrise," why not check out her quote of the day for a little nugget of wisdom?

"I think for me, there's no better position than to be underestimated because then you can always overdeliver. I'm comfortable outworking anybody in the room."

The quote above comes from a 2024 interview with Marie Claire, where Longoria spoke about the importance of overcoming challenges to achieve success. Longoria faced many hurdles of her own, especially as a Latina in Hollywood, but she never stopped putting in the work to advance her career. 

Longoria shared that the entertainment industry is "famous for men failing up," so as a woman of color, she continues to "show up on time and show up prepared." In a panel organized by Inc. in April 2026, Longoria discussed how she's always approached show business as a start-up, having to build relations and surround herself with knowledgeable professionals on all of her projects. That work ethic has allowed her to exceed expectations over and over again. 

The main takeaway from Eva Longoria's quote is that we have to find ways to prove that we have earned a seat at the table. The actor, producer, and philanthropist doesn't allow negativity to bring her down. As stated in the quote above, Longoria is "comfortable outworking anyone in the room," which has helped her leave an indelible mark in Hollywood. 

From winning multiple awards (including a People's Choice Award for Favorite Female TV Star) to getting recognized as Philanthropist of the Year by The Hollywood Reporter, her hard work continues to pay off. Instead of allowing others to dictate her potential, she works to accomplish what she's set out to do. 

Longoria's advice comes as a welcome reminder to never give people a reason to underestimate you. By being confident, committed, and capable of handling multiple tasks at once, you are already proving the haters wrong. 

• "Of course, I'm going to work as hard as I can at whatever I do, and it just happens to be in this industry. I knew I'd be successful because I was surrounded by successful women — my mother, sisters, and aunts were independent, strong, smart, and charitable. They were everything I wanted to be." — from a 2025 interview with Byrdie

• "Go ahead, underestimate me. That's the best place. That's my favorite place to be, because I'll overdeliver, I'll overperform, and then they go, 'Oh my God! Women are amazing to work with!'"— from a 2026 interview with FQ Leaders at Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity

• "I think my greatest success is still in front of me. So I'm excited to see what that is. I don't know yet." — from a 2026 interview with France 24 at Cannes Film Festival