Eva Longoria Sits Down For Interview On ‘The View’
When Eva Longoria appeared on The View to defend Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs, she framed them as both a moral obligation and a financial win. “It’s just good business,” she declared, aligning the mission of her production company with the growing push for more inclusive storytelling.
The actress-turned-producer laid out her case with conviction: DEI isn’t just about fairness — it’s about tapping into a vast, diverse global audience. Yet, her optimism runs headlong into a stubborn wall of reality that continues to send warning shots across the industry.
Eva Longoria claims DEI isn’t just a “moral imperative” but it’s “good business.”
How much has Disney lost on woke remakes of its classic films? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/qzQGjfaQd7
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Longoria is right about one thing: DEI was conceived to address long-standing exclusions, from women and racial minorities to the disabled and LGBTQ+ communities. It’s a noble goal. But intentions do not guarantee success — especially in Hollywood, where sentiment and commerce frequently collide.
She noted that today’s audiences are the most diverse in history, but diversity in demographics doesn’t automatically translate to box office success if the execution alienates key segments of the audience.
Take Disney’s live-action Snow White reboot as a cautionary tale. Despite being infused with progressive themes and diverse casting, the film’s financial performance has been disastrous. With a staggering production and promotional budget reportedly nearing $410 million, Disney has recouped only a fraction — $109.5 million worldwide — and is staring down a potential $115 million loss.
The disconnect? The film’s star, Rachel Zegler, not only deviated ethnically from the original character but also publicly ridiculed the original tale and its romantic core, calling Prince Charming a “stalker.” These moves, combined with political commentary that alienated large portions of the audience, sparked backlash.
Zegler’s version of Snow White was reimagined as a leadership journey rather than a love story, a bold move that many saw as a rebuke of traditional storytelling rather than a refresh. When the people you hope to attract feel talked down to or erased — or when your core audience simply doesn’t recognize the product — the response tends to be swift and unforgiving.
Longoria said it plainly: “At the end of the day, I’m a businesswoman.” That’s precisely the tension she must wrestle with. While DEI might be framed as the future, its implementation — especially when perceived as forced or dismissive of cultural touchstones — can backfire. The audience, after all, holds the power of the purse.