Learning about Ali
Entering show business was a result of chance and opportunity rather than a master plan I designed for myself. My success in the Miss Louisiana pageant and the subsequent title of Miss USA was the launching pad for a career and life I couldn’t have dreamed of in my sleepy, Southern town of Breaux Bridge, Louisiana.
My breakthrough role in Hollywood was starring as the first spokeswoman for Doritos during the 1998 Super Bowl commercials. I became a household name overnight and the path of my career was altered in an instant. The Doritos campaign was a great opportunity for me personally and helped transition me from modeling to acting. I worked hard to get recurring roles on “Felicity,” “Two Guys and a Girl,” “Sunset Beach,” and “Popular, ” in addition to three seasons on the hit UPN network series “Eve.” In addition to acting, I found hosting to be a perfect fit for me. I love to interact with people, ask questions, and I feel very strongly that everyone has a story. My hosting credits include the music-talk show "Farm Club.com," NBC's "Spy TV,” and "Full Frontal Fashion" on WE.
I couldn’t have known that all of my ups and downs in Hollywood would have prepared me to play a role that I had been waiting for, Celia, a mother who’s torment and anguish over a tragic accident involving her daughter was personally inspiring to me. Not only was I ecstatic to break out of my mold in Bella, but it was also during this time in my life when I met and married my husband, Alejandro Monteverde. I had never been involved in a project like Bella and it made me reevaluate my role in this industry. After Bella won the top award at the Toronto Film Festival in 2006, my husband and I, along with a team from Metanoia Films, traveled the country promoting Bella in every major city in America.
Along with my new marriage, film and outlook on my career, we found out we were expecting a little girl. The birth of my daughter, Estela Ines, challenged me in so many ways. I made a decision at that point to walk consciously through life and to be the best wife, mother, daughter and friend I could be. Estela Ines was born on July 10th, 2007 and I can credit her for making me the happiest and most balanced I’ve been in my life.
Today, I’m getting back into the swing of things with ABC’s “Superstars” airing June 23rd, a fun and informative show on Yahoo! about celebrity mothers called “Spotlight to Nightlight” airing weekly, and my new children’s line, Belle Parish which will hit stores soon! Anything I do these days involves my passion for being a mother and finding ways to stay connected to mothers everywhere.
