After moving to Los Angeles, she took up acting training and worked on her English. Her big break came with her lead female role in “Desperado”, starring alongside Antonio Banderas, and was even cast for a lead in “The Mask of Zorro”, before rejecting the role in solidarity with the director; the role later went to Catherine Zeta-Jones. She later landed roles in “Fools Rush In”, “From Dusk Till Dawn” and “Wild Wild West” gaining the exposure she needed to become considered one of the most prominent actresses in Hollywood.
“Frida” a movie she both appeared in and co-produced was to become the pinnacle of her career to date. Her role in the movie, starring alongside Ashley Judd, Ed Norton and Valeria Golino, earned her an Oscar nomination in the category Best Actress. She later directed a video “Te Amo Corazon” by Prince and became an executive producer for a hit television series “Ugly Betty”.
