Eduardo Verástegui, star of the film “Bella,” co-owner of Metanoia Films

Eduardo Verástegui and Sophie Nyweide in "Bella" (Photos courtesy of Metanoia Films)   A closer look at Eduardo Verástegui Do you have a dream role? “St. Francis. I named our company Metanoia because of a book I read on the life of St. Francis. The second chapter was called ‘The Metanoia of St. Francis.’” What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your family? “My faith. Even though I didn’t know it very well, the seeds were planted there in my heart.” What’s your favorite thing to do with your family? “Eating together. It’s a whole ritual: coming together, praying before the meal, eating, talking, long conversations after dinner in the living room until very late.” A few of Eduardo's favorites Books: the Bible, books on the lives of the saints, Rome Sweet Home by Scott and Kimberly Hahn Movies: “The Passion of the Christ,” “Cinderella Man,” “It’s a Wonderful Life” Food: sushi, Mexican (his favorite dish is chiles en nogada) Music: classical (Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin) the Rosary, the Liturgy of the Hours Heroes: Jesus, Mary, his business partners, Catholic priests, Pope John Paul II, Mother Teresa, Pope Benedict XVI

At 28, Eduardo Verástegui seemed to have it all: fame, fortune, success. The hard work, talent, and good looks of this son of a Mexican sugarcane farmer had won him the life he’d dreamed of at 18 when he set out to become an actor. In just over a decade he had toured the world as a successful pop singer, starred in soap operas in Mexico, and won the leading role in the major motion picture “Chasing Papi.” His brooding profile and tousled black hair appeared on glossy magazine covers, in Calvin Klein clothing ads, and in a Jennifer Lopez music video.

But in 2002, “the Brad Pitt of Latin America” walked away from it all for the sake of his Catholic faith. Unhappy with perpetuating what he felt was a harmful stereotype of the Latin lover, and feeling that he was compromising himself for superficial goals, Verástegui turned down role after role in Hollywood, wondering if he would ever act again.

Today, at 33, Verástegui is the co-owner of Metanoia Films and was the leading male actor in the company’s first film, “Bella,” a story with a pro-life theme that won the People’s Choice Award at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival and was released in theaters last fall. Verástegui recently spoke with Catholic Digest about filmmaking, faith, and his transformation.

CD: You made “Bella” hoping it would save lives. But the film had an impact even before it was released in theaters, when you visited an abortion clinic to research the role.

VERÁSTEGUI: I thought it was going to be very simple — just stop two or three young ladies and ask them a few questions. When I got there I was in such shock when I saw all these girls — 16-, 17-year-old girls — that I forgot about the film. And then I saw a group of people outside trying to convince them not to [have an abortion], and I told them, “I’m here to help.” Next thing you know, they tell me, “One of these couples is from Mexico, and they don’t speak English. Talk to them.”

I didn’t know what to say. I was nervous, I was shaking. But [the couple] recognized me from the soap operas I used to do in Mexico. We ended up talking for like 45 minutes about everything — life, faith, food, Mexico. They were about 24. I gave [the woman] a little miraculous medal — one for her and one for the baby. She didn’t go inside of the clinic.

[Then, a few months after we finished filming “Bella”], I received a call from the man who was with her that day, and he tells me, “Eduardo. I have great news, man. My boy, my baby was born yesterday, and I want to ask your permission to name him Eduardo.”

I couldn’t even talk. I put my phone down. I mean, I can’t describe with words that feeling. A few days later, little Eduardito is in my arms, and he’s looking at me, and I’m looking at him, and you know, it was just beautiful, amazing. It changed my life. I was only doing my homework as an actor; I never thought that, by the grace of God, I was going to be used as an instrument to save this baby. I really thought, Even if this film never comes out, even if “Bella” disappears, and nobody sees it again, I rejoice in the Lord for the life of Eduardo.

(Photos courtesy of Metanoia Films)   Learn about Verástegui's Guadalupe Foundation In December 2005, Eduardo Verástegui founded La Fundación Manto de Guadalupe (The Guadalupe Foundation), which builds houses for the poor in Mexico, provides abortion alternatives for young, pregnant Latino women, and aims to elevate the dignity of Latinos in the United States. For information, visit eduardoverastegui.com.ar. “Why I’m Catholic” “[My faith has] helped me in everything — how to be a better person, how to be a better brother, how to be a better friend, a better business partner. It’s helped me sacrifice more for others. My spiritual life helped me to die to myself. And I know I can’t stop doing it for one day, because it’s like, if you stop eating, you get weak, and if you stop breathing, you die. Every little thing that we do, if it is good, it’s the fruit of the Eucharist. Receiving Him — there’s nothing better on Earth than that. It’s the center of my life, it’s the center of my faith, it’s everything. So I just allow Him to come into my life and to guide me.”

CD: You left a successful career in Hollywood in 2002. Why did you feel you needed to make a change?

VERÁSTEGUI: The reasons why I wanted to be in this career when I was 18 were very superficial — the fame, the money, the success — so I was in a way poisoning society by the projects I was involved with, because I was using my talents in a very selfish way.

My English teacher — I’ve only been speaking English for a few years — she’s the one who literally changed my life, because she started questioning everything, like, “Why are you doing what you’re doing? How are you using your talents? If you really love [God], why are you breaking the Commandments?” In the beginning I was too proud to let her in, but she persisted in a very loving way until I realized after six months of conversation that she was right in pretty much everything, and I was wrong in pretty much everything.

That’s when I made a promise that I will never use my talents again for anything that will compromise me, anything that will off end my Latino community, anything that will off end God. And I knew [it might mean] I would never work again, and I was at peace with that, because I realized that I was not born to be a big movie star, I wasn’t born to be famous: I was born to know, to love, and to serve Jesus Christ, and that’s my goal. Now if, by being faithful to God, success comes, thanks be to God. If it doesn’t come, thanks be to
God. I realized that sometimes our own dreams can be our worst enemies if those dreams are not in line with God’s will. I realized that you have to be willing to die to yourself so Christ can reign in your heart and guide your life.

CD: You’ve talked about your mother having an impact on your conversion as well.

VERÁSTEGUI: I believe there is nothing more powerful than the prayers of a mother. My mother told my father, “Our son is lost. He doesn’t listen to us anymore. I’m afraid we’re going to receive a call in the middle of the night with bad news. And if my words don’t touch his heart, my prayers will touch his heart one day.” And I believe this young lady (my English teacher) was the answer to her prayers.

CD: Another factor in your conversion was not wanting to keep portraying the stereotypical Latin lover.

VERÁSTEGUI: Latinos have been stereotyped in a very negative way, from the ’40s until today — always the criminal, the thief, the liar. And if you’re good-looking, you’re the Latin lover. Very few times did I see films where Latinos
were heroes. I want to show how Latinos come to this country with a spirit of gratitude to work, bringing our values, our faith, our flavor, our culture, our food, our music. So we put this company together, Metanoia Films — “metanoia” means in Greek “turn to God” — with the mission of making films that will have the potential not only to entertain but to make a difference.

CD: You’ve said you were concerned about your image of the Latin lover negatively affecting your plans to one day marry and have a family.

VERÁSTEGUI: One of the promises that I made when I had this strong experience with God was, “I will never be with any woman until I marry.” I
recognized that sex is sacred, that it’s a gift from God, and that’s when I decided to live a chaste life. I didn’t even know what chastity was [before] that time.

Eduardo Verástegui and Tammy Blanchard in "Bella" (Photos courtesy of Metanoia Films)   Find “Bella” online To learn more, visit bellathemovie.com.

When I recognized that I was chasing the lie, that’s when I started knowing my faith better. That’s when I realized we’re called to be saints. That’s why I go to Mass every day, and say the Rosary every day, and go to confession once a week, and pray the Liturgy of the Hours. That’s why I’m on my knees every day asking for help.


CD: Was it tough to stick to your decision to steer clear of roles that you felt compromised your integrity?

VERÁSTEGUI: It was a lot of sacrifice at first, because for four years I didn’t work at anything because all the offers I was receiving were exactly the same negative stereotypes that I had decided not to do. I got to a point where I lost everything: I didn’t have my rent to pay for the next month. I knew maybe the
price was going to be that I would end up in Xicotencatl (his hometown) selling tacos, but I would rather do that and not compromise. That’s my message: Do not seek to be a person of success;seek to be a person of value, of integrity, and if success comes after that, that’s a blessing. Don’t compromise to obtain what the world thinks success is, because that doesn’t come from God.

It’s an amazing ride right now. There are, of course, ups and downs, but there’s a serenity and peace and joy that comes from doing [God’s] will regardless of whether you have success or not. There’s nothing more exciting than waking up in the morning and fighting for something bigger than yourself. CD

Julie Rattey is managing editor of Catholic Digest.