You can't help but wonder what the writers were drinking when they dreamed this up: A 23-year-old virgin is accidentally artificially inseminated during a checkup. Oh, and the donor dad? He's a former playboy and cancer survivor—and her teenage crush. Navigating all that hilarious, endearing drama: Gina Rodriguez, 30, who just won a Golden Globe for her headlining role on the CW's Jane the Virgin. The daughter of Puerto Rican natives, Rodriguez is only the third Latina to win a top actress prize (she's in good company with Rita Moreno and America Ferrera). And she's just getting started on breaking barriers. Let her tell you all about it!
GLAMOUR: How did you know the role of Jane was right for you?
GINA RODRIGUEZ: I wanted a new story that was going to open up how people view Latinas and women, so I've passed on certain roles, which is terrifying when you don't have money! Like Jane, and like the majority of the country, I grew up influenced by two cultures. We didn't sit around and discuss it; it just was.
GLAMOUR: Jane is very close to her mother and grandmother. Who's your role model?
GR: My mom is a pillar of wisdom and advice. She almost never wore makeup, and she encouraged natural beauty. When I was in college, she would say, "Don't cover your face—you want the guy to see the same person in the morning."
GLAMOUR: You've said you're not the typical Hollywood ingenue. Have you ever felt pressure to change?
GR: Oh, 100 percent—I am not superhuman. I constantly work on not letting those images push away the reminder that I am beautiful the way I am. After a photo shoot, if I get photoshopped to make me "look better" and it doesn't look like me, I remind myself, Those are their standards, definitely not mine.
GLAMOUR: Jane has some drama-filled dating moments. How was your most awkward date?
GR: I had a terrible date with this super-socialite guy when I first moved to L.A.—he was so pompous. I took out my money, put it on the table, and said, "I'm not having a good time, so I'm going to pay for this and leave." I walked out thinking, Look at you, badass! Now I'm in a great relationship [with actor Henri Esteve] that is far from dramatic. Our first date was the day before the Jane audition. We talked for four hours. He was my good-luck charm.
GLAMOUR: Jane's life has veered off track. Do you plan out your future?
GR: My favorite quote is "If you want to make God laugh, tell him your plans." My career is the only thing I've planned. I used to tell my parents, "I will be famous before I graduate college." And they were like, "Go be a lawyer."
GLAMOUR: You just won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a TV Series, Musical, or Comedy—what was your first thought when they called your name?
GR: White noise. As I lifted my head, I thought: Oh my God, you work so hard. You pray; you dream; you fail; you try again; and here it is! And holy cow, is that Oprah?
