documento

CELEBRATING THE
GIFT OF FRIENDSHIP
VICTORIA
AND EVA
LONGORIA
SPEAK OF THEIR
SPECIAL BOND
she came back and she said, ‘Eva, I get it.’
Because once you have the knowledge about
what is happening in the world you can’t turn
away and she has been thirsty and curious ever
since that trip.
“It’s been so amazing to see her evolution as a
‘philanthropreneur’. There’s no doubt this year
has been really epic for her.
“I want to celebrate the work of one of the
most amazing women, who is impacting the
lives of women and children everywhere.”
After accepting her award, Victoria gave Eva a
big hug, before delivering a warm and funny
acceptance speech, telling the crowd: “I feel truly
honoured and humbled to receive this award.
Please accept my heartfelt thanks.
“I’ve known Eva for a long time. She’s beautiful
and talented but she’s also such an inspiration on
so many levels. She’s an incredible woman and I
love her so much and I’m learning so much from
her. Thank you for helping to support my best
friend tonight.”
LATIN LOVERS
Both Eva, 39, and 40-year-old Victoria said they
were long-time fans of the evening’s co-chair,
Ricky – Eva once even appeared as a extra in one
of his videos.
As Victoria told the audience: “How great is
Ricky Martin When Eva said she was in one of
his videos I was so jealous. I’ve always been a huge
fan and after this evening I love you even more,
after seeing your work it has really touched me.”
The night marked 42-year-old Ricky’s first
Global Gala in London. Another high-profile
philanthropist, he founded the Ricky Martin
Foundation to help fight the trafficking of
vulnerable children around the world. “I didn’t
even know what trafficking was until ten years
ago when I went to India to visit an orphanage
with a friend,” he explained. “I saw girls as young
as four years old about to be forced into
prostitution. Luckily I’m in the music business
and people will listen to me so I want to unite
with the forces against human trafficking.
“We just built a very beautiful home in Puerto
Rico and 120 boys and girls are receiving the
benefit of people who are trying to give them
back their dignity with a lot of love. They are
our future.”
Just ahead of the Global Gift Gala, Eva told
hello! how proud she was of both Victoria and
Ricky. “This is our fifth year in London and
tonight is extra special because I’m sharing it
with two of my best friends,” she said.
“Ricky is a dear friend of mine who has been
doing amazing things for years and now Victoria
has been doing some amazing work with the
UN and I wanted to make sure everybody
Black to black:
Eva and her
best friend
Victoria arrive
on the red
carpet for the
Global Gift
Gala, wearing
floor-length
Victoria
Beckham
gowns, before
grabbing Eva’s
co-chair for the
evening, Latin
star Ricky 21
Martin, to join
the line-up
(inset top left)