Gina Rodriguez on Haters and Why She's Excited to Have Britney Spears Join Jane the Virgin
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Gina Rodriguez is gearing up to go back on set for the second season of Jane the Virgin, but before reprising her role, the star took some time to cohost the 2015 Teen Choice Awards and attend a Crest event for the launch of its new product 3D White Brilliance 2 Step ($15) — she has the best smile, so we couldn't imagine a better partnership. We caught up with the star (wearing an Alice and Olivia top and skirt set) at the event, where she gave us the scoop on Britney Spears's guest role and her fight with Internet haters. Keep scrolling to see her must-read quotes, then check out her incredible Hollywood evolution.
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On Britney Spears's Role on Jane the Virgin
"I die. I was so excited to hear she was joining the cast. We don't know anything! I know that she's playing herself. I think she's going to be arch nemesis to my father. But it's going to be remarkable. We are going to invite her with open arms. She's going to be part of the family. And I think she will do her best work."
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On Haters Criticizing Her People en Español Cover on Instagram
"I've had negative comments before and obviously it's very easy to ignore them. Positivity can be considered so cliché or silly, but I just have a better life that way. But this was coupled with this little girl I had seen on my Explore page on Instagram. She had posted a picture of herself in a bathing suit saying she had never been courageous enough before to do this. And boom, negative comments! I was so saddened by it and then I posted my picture a few days later and that went down and I thought: How interesting. Here I am in the public eye and I get it. I am at anybody's fingertips to criticize, to condemn, or to bring down. But what about that little girl? Does she have people around her to lift her up when that hits her the way it can still hit me at 31? Does she have the tools, that thank God I was given by my mom and my dad, to combat those feelings that present inside your soul? I don't know. So I was like, we need to start opening this dialogue because sh*t's not cool. It's just not cool."
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On Why She Loves Smiling
"I don't attach myself to things I don't believe in. I wanted to support this product and Crest, because the truth is I love smiling. How much better in life do you feel when you're smiling? I feel it, like I really feel it. I had a little bit of a sad day this week, and my director for Deepwater Horizon said, 'Why aren't you smiling? Smile! You're always smiling. You're bringing this place down. You're the one that's supposed to bring the smiles.' I grew up with Crest in my household. I love that I was able to partner with them. And I love this whitening product, because it is supersimple. I need simplicity in my life. I travel with it and use it every time I brush."