Turned off by the sleazy side of celebrity? Yearning for competition-bred, A-list actresses worthy of positive headlines and public adoration? We give you a great example...

By Fred Abel

Have you noticed how a few female celebrities are appearing in an unusually large number of unflattering news stories in recent months? You know the ones I mean: They feature the celebrity party girls whose embarrassing exploits have dominated so much of the controversy-laden coverage these days that this past August, Entertainment Weekly labeled the broader phenomenon as “The Summer of Scandal!” Back in February, Newsweek weighed in with an even more pointed cover story titled, “The Girls Gone Wild Effect.” Pictured out front were Paris Hilton and Britney Spears.

BAD NEWS BARED: With a year of celebrity setbacks – highlighted in Newsweek and Entertainment Weekly – it is tough finding any positive A-list performers to praise these days.

From Britney’s buzz-cut meltdown and suspect mothering to Paris’s prison stretch for her reckless driving parole violation, a generation of impressionable young people have been exposed to our high-profile female stars landing in rehab, doing jail time, appearing at the top of the TMZ.com web site, or giving their most widely viewed and revealing performances on YouTube.com. Paris and Britney aren’t alone, of course. We’ve also seen Lindsay Lohan’s performance in a substance-abuse-fueled Sunset Boulevard fender-bender, as well as Nicole Richie’s DUI arrest, and others.

When police pluck today’s super-rich heiress from her own mansion for a stretch behind bars or a millionaire actress checks herself into a substance-abuse treatment facilities, the personal scandals that, once upon a time, were kept private now spill out minutes after happening, taking on a viral life of their own, thanks to today’s media echo chamber of print tabloids, celebrity blogs and forums, and web video sites. Of course, the attraction of witnessing such faux pas on the red carpets, in nightclub restrooms, and on the town in limos is akin to drivers rubbernecking roadside accidents; while viewers cringe, they can’t avoid slowing down to gawk. Though such stories give the entertainment industry an ironic buzz-boost in this era of dwindling attention spans, in the long run these high-profile crack-ups have many negative side effects. Primarily, these A-list “wild child” incidents are becoming a school for scandal that is teaching today’s generation of young females all the wrong lessons.

Which prompted Pageantry to wonder: Who are the female role models who have avoided the scandal-ridden magnifying glass? Don’t these celebrities deserve equal time in recognition of their good manners and upright behavior? Surely, there must be any number of major stars who are gracious, well-bred solid citizens. Surely, there must be any number of talented women who have managed to become more than just pretty faces on the silver screen, and who could pass muster as positive, A-list, superstar role models.

Of course, to ace our tough test and qualify for recognition, a celebrity needed to rise to an even higher standard—a Pageantry standard of stardom. That meant she also had to have:

• A current A-list career profile
• A media record free of major embarrassment
• A link to the pageant, talent, and modeling industry
• A strong, long-term commitment to public service and philanthropy

As it turns out, that fourth criteria made for a very short list. But we couldn’t ignore it — pageantry has historically promoted a strong measure of caring and contributing to their communities among contestants in programs as diverse as the Miss America and Miss Universe organizations, as well as the thousands of competitions for teen and preteen girls. After all, a community-service platform became a requirement of Miss America contestants beginning with the 1989 pageant. Platforms promoted by previous Miss Americas have provided key support for AIDS awareness and prevention, diabetes awareness, outreach for homeless veterans, domestic violence awareness, encouraging volunteerism in teens, and support for such medical-research causes as terminal breast cancer and hearing loss, among many other good causes.

With these criteria in mind, which famous personalities could measure up to the high standards and substance reflective of Pageantry’s values? The answer, quite simply, is very few. Although many titleholders have crossed over into show business careers, only a select set of pageant contestant has ascended to America’s entertainment A-list, and of those even fewer have found the time, inclination, and energy to have a major public-service impact. When measured by our four criteria—A-list stardom, former pageant or talent showcase participation, demonstrated mature public behavior, and a significant record of contributing the the betterment of mankind—we identified a few women who measure up. In this issue, we’re profiling one of them: our celebrity cover girl, Eva Longoria.

Eva, well-known for her role as the petite Hispanic temptress Gabrielle Marquez on the highly rated Desperate Housewives on ABC (now in its fourth season), put her values on an international stage this past summer with her marriage in France to NBA basketball’s San Antonio Spurs point guard Tony Parker. Though Eva’s pageant and talent competition roots have largely remained under the radar as she deals with the whirlwind demands of her schedule and holds closely to her carefully controlled public image, she has earned her place as a Pageantry Superstar Role Model with her involvement in a growing number of programs that assist the less-well-off in our society.

Not surprisingly, Eva has a background in pageantry, with confidence-boosting appearances in state pageants, and found modeling success in her post-pageant competition days while enrolled in talent showcases. Yet, perhaps because of early challenges in her immediate family while growing up, Eva hasn’t let her present fame and fortune prevent her from becoming an outstanding example of unselfishly giving back to those less fortunate.

In Bill Clinton’s new book, GIVING: How Each of Us Can Change the World, the former president makes a case how each of us should look for ways to help our fellow man, and quotes a good samaritan, who says: “Each of us has an obligation to level the playing field of life.... We all have a capacity to make a difference somewhere. We just have to decide if we have the will to do it.”

PAGEANT GIRL TO SUPERSTAR: As Miss Corpus Christi USA and an IMTA modeling and talent convention alum, Eva has remained loyal to her roots, with appearances for the Cardiac Foundation gala last November, her Eva’s Heroes Luncheon in her hometown San Antonia, Texas, and her support in Calloway Golf’s Ovarian Cancer campaign.

At a time when self-absorbed celebrities and tabloid news show a willful disregard for this higher calling, hope resides in the example of Pageantry’s Superstar Role Model Eva Longoria, a former “pageant girl” who has “made it big” on the world stage. Though her pageant and talent competition days are rarely mentioned in today’s media coverage and infrequently given credit as stepping stones to success, Eva Longoria’s good deeds serve as testament to the positive contributions that pageantry encourages, setting the tone and teaching our future generations of A-listers invaluable lessons about social responsibility. If, after reading this Pageantry cover story, fans of Paris and Britney wake up and realize how low their pop idols have dragged them, this story will have served one of its purposes. For the rest of our promising competitors of all ages, starting out or starting over with the dignified values of Eva Longoria has never been easier; just sign up for a pageant or talent showcase and generously dedicate yourself to self-improvement and public-service platforms as you strive to realize your dreams. But don’t take our word for it—let Pageantry’s Superstar Role Models be your inspiration.

Eva’s high-energy and high-minded contributions to society make this “Desperate Housewife” a celebrity role model in whom we all can find inspiration.

Eva Longoria may play something of a wild child on ABC-TV’s hit series Desperate Housewives, but in real life she’s a level-headed, self-assured high-energy romantic at heart who has demonstrated a strong propensity for generosity and caring. Last summer illustrated, in a private way, the grateful nature that makes Eva one of Pageantry’s Superstar Role Models: She presented all the female guests at her Paris wedding to NBA athlete Tony Parker with 18-karat gold bracelets. Contrary to her well-publicized persona, she and Parker lead, at least among A-list couples, a normal life. As she told Maxim Magazine, “Tony and I spend most of our time in San Antonio. We have such a normal life there. I mean, we hang out and have breakfast, go to his parents,’ go to my parents,’ do laundry.”

What’s almost unheard of among today’s young Hollywood success stories, moreover, is Eva’s extensive public service. Her generosity often goes unpublicized, but Pageantry has dug up numerous examples of her giving personality. In 2005, she sold a high school cheerleading uniform on eBay to raise money for tsunami aid. Time and again, her red carpet appearances are motivated by her fondness for charitable causes, whether they be women’s health issues or Hispanic advancement in our society. Her Eva’s Heroes Luncheon, an annual fund-raiser held in her home town, San Antonio, Texas, benefits special needs children. At the heart of her concern for others is an active commitment as a celebrity to social progress that benefits an impressive list of worthy recipients.

Pageantry/modeling foundations
Although Eva grew up with the self-image as the “ugly duckling” in her family, she won the title of Miss Corpus Christi USA in 1998. While growing up in Corpus Christi, she attended Roy Miller High School and received her Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology at nearby Texas A&M University-Kingsville. In her spare time, she began entering Texas beauty pageants. Even though she was considered short in stature, Eva has told the press, she excelled in the Swimsuit competitions, and credits pageants with teaching her many valuable beauty tricks that have helped her maximize her natural good looks and excel in her acting career. “I was in pageants and I did a lot of music videos and things in Texas,” Eva said. “I did a lot of modeling, a lot of print [modeling], so I’ve always been in front of the camera.”

After earning her undergraduate degree, Eva won a scholarship that allowed her to enroll in the International Modeling and Talent International (IMTA) convention in 1998. At the time, Latino stars such as Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin were all the rage, and the Mexican-American Eva was ready to hop on the bandwagon. Eva’s recollection of that experience was as assured as it was direct. “It was intense,” she said afterward. “So much competition. It just feels great. You kind of thrive on it and everybody else.” According to officials at IMTA, 38 agencies and managers expressed interest in Eva following her IMTA appearances. Out of numerous call-backs, she decided to give acting a shot and signed with a manager she had met at IMTA. “The first day they signed me I had four auditions,” Eva said. “It was pretty fast.” In short order, she moved to Los Angeles, where she soon drew notice as a hot newcomer in auditions for guest-starring roles.

Her rise to stardom
In this true-life rags-to-riches story, a series of smaller roles eventually lead to Eva’s breakthrough to international stardom. After her IMTA talent convention success, she landed parts on Beverly Hills, 90210, General Hospital, and The Bold and the Beautiful. Next, she auditioned for and won the role of Isabella on the popular daytime series The Young and the Restless. “I’ve always known I was going to get my training ground from soaps and use it as a stepping stone to, hopefully, launch a successful career,” Eva told a CBS.com reporter.

It didn’t take long. Late in 2003, she took a part as a detective in a TV remake called LA Dragnet and made her big-screen film debut in Carlita’s Secret.

But it would be her audition for producer Mark Cherry that would lead Eva to become the first “desperate housewife” to be cast, setting her on a path as the seductive Gabrielle Solis in 75 episodes for the past three TV seasons of Desperate Housewives. With some 27 million TV viewers per episode at its peak, Eva became an “instant” superstar, in demand for numerous magazine covers and photo shoots as the “hottest” housewife of them all.

Eva’s stunning face, figure, and glossy hair have also led to her being presented with a $1.9 million modeling contract as a new face for cosmetics giant L’Oreal, and last spring she also took on a promotional role as the new face of Bebe Sport, a boutique line of sensual but sophisticated workout gear, explaining, “I used to be an aerobics instructor, so I really know what works well for that type of activity.”

Eva’s film career expanded her reach even further last year, when she costarred with Kiefer Sutherland and Michael Douglas in The Sentinel, and this year, she lent her voice to the animated flick Foodfight! With such a whirlwind of activities, even her co-stars are impressed. “Honestly, what’s sexy about Eva is the energy she has,” said Ricardo Antonio Chavira, who plays her husband on Housewives. “Being around her just makes you feel good.”

Her roots of caring
Eva’s type-A drive to succeed developed early in life. The Longoria family of six (Eva was the youngest of four daughters) resided on an inherited west Texas farm, where they worked the land but struggled financially and lived frugally, in a home without heat and air conditioning. But, as Eva has said, “I never knew we were poor, because we grew up with a lot of love and my family is really close.”

Eva credits her parents with instilling in their children a sense of sacrifice. “My parents gave up a lot for us,” she said. “They sacrificed pay check after pay check for us to have cheerleading uniforms or for my sister to go to band practice. We’re all grateful for that.” As a guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 2006, Eva and a camera crew revisited her family farm, and Eva admitted that her family’s fortunes improved only after she had made it in show business. Eva’s older sister Elizabeth, born with Down’s syndrome, also had a major impact on the Longorias’ values. “Elizabeth has shaped our family completely and utterly,” Eva told a British interviewer. “She has shown all of us what it is to appreciate every second of life and to be just as delighted by little things as the big things.”

Eva’s beneficiaries
Eva’s willing sacrifices for the good of others began at the age of eight, with her involvement on behalf of her sister in the Special Olympics. Today, Eva’s reach is much greater, with roles as a national spokesperson with women’s and Latino children’s cancer organizations taking up primary spots on her calendar. Eva is often seen attending fund-raising events, such as last November’s “A Night With Larry King” benefit, and has donated her time as a celebrity spokesperson as well as a portion of her wealth to numerous charities. “Obviously, the platform I have now is much bigger,” she said, “and because of that, I’ve chosen to be very specific about what I put my voice to regarding charity.”

NEXT: A pageant winner who has grown into a Superstar Role Model on a worldwide stage.

EVA’S GOOD WORKS

These organizations, listed online in Eva Longoria’s biographical materials, are some which have benefited from her involvement:

• Padres Contra el Cancer (Parents Against Cancer) – Dedicated to improving the quality of life for Latino children with cancer through the web site iamhope.org. Eva has served as this organization’s national spokesperson since March 2005, and donated a portion of her episodic fees from Desperate Housewives, and has successfully leveraged her corporate partnerships to raise money and create awareness for the organization, including a $25,000 contribution from Microsoft Corp. for her participation in the company’s CelebFavorites.com web site. The Eva Longoria and Friends Online Auction at CharityFolks.com provided fans with a chance to win various prizes from Eva and her sponsors. Eva was expected to help pay tribute to the courage and heroism demonstrated by its target families at an annual gala, emceed by George Lopez, on October 18, in Los Angeles. iamhope.org

• Callaway Golf Foundation’s Women’s Cancer Programs – Eva serves as Callaway’s first international ambassador, teaming up with the Entertainment Industry Foundation to urge women to have early-detection tests for ovarian cancer. Callaway Golf Foundation Women’s Cancer Initiative (WCI) has been established at four outstanding cancer institutions to fast-track breakthrough treatments and tests to improve ovarian cancer outcomes, funded by Callaway’s $1 million donation, with a celebrity pro/am golf tournament slated for this November. callawaygolffoundation.org

• MALDEF: Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund – The organization fights for the rights of Latino farm-workers. Eva went to work one day in the fields with the United Farm Workers for a PBS documentary. maldef.org

• National Center for Missing and Exploited Children – NCMEC’s mission is to help prevent child abduction and sexual exploitation; help find missing children; and assist victims of child abduction and sexual exploitation, their families, and the professionals who serve them. missingkids.com

• Project H.O.M.E. (Housing, Opportunities for Employment, Medical Care, Education) – Providing a full range of services for chronically homeless people with mental illness and/or substance abuse disorders, including street outreach, safe havens, permanent supportive housing, and a range of services to supplement housing. projecthome.org

• Clothes Off Our Back – Host of charity auctions showcasing today’s latest celebrity attire. Items are put up for bid to the public with proceeds going to benefit children’s charities. Also includes Clothes Off Our Covers, through which Eva and other stars donate the outfits worn by the women on magazine photo shoots to charity to raise money. clothesoffourback.org

• This Old Bag: The Power of the Purse – The female Desperate Housewives cast, along with some of San Francisco’s most prominent citizens, auction off celebrities’ handbags to benefit the Breast Cancer Emergency Fund (BCEF), which assists low-income San Franciscans battling breast cancer. Their fund-raiser netted $65,000 for BCEF clients. This year’s auction was scheduled for Oct. 19. bcef-sf.org