Five Fast Facts About Grand Hotel Star Roselyn Sánchez

Gorgeous Roselyn Sánchez currently stars as the manipulative and sexy Gigi Mendoza on ABC’s new drama, Grand Hotel, but she’s been in a number of popular and successful movies and shows over the years.

She is best known for being on shows such as Without a Trace and Devious Maids, as well as movies like Rush Hour 2 and Act of Valour. From where she grew up to her first English speaking role, here are five fast facts you need to know about Roselyn Sánchez from Grand Hotel.

In The Beginning
Sánchez was born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico as the youngest of four siblings. She showed interest in acting and performing at a young age, but decided to study marketing at the University of Puerto Rico. However, she left school in order to move to New York City to pursue her dreams. She studied dancing, acting and singing.

Breakthrough
Though she moved to New York City to start her career, it actually took moving back to Puerto Rico for her star to rise. She started working as a dancer and also started hosting a variety show called Qué Vacilón. But, it was winning Miss Puerto Rico Petite in 1993 and then Miss American Petite in 1994 that brought her fame and success.

First English Role
After being a pageant girl, Sánchez landed her first English speaking role on the popular daytime soap opera, As The World Turns. She played the character of Pilar Domingo and was on the show from 1996 to 1997. She then went on to star on the show Fame L.A., which lasted for one season.

Almost A “Housewife”
Sánchez actually auditioned for the role of Gabrielle Solis in the popular ABC drama series Desperate Housewives, which obviously went to Eva Longoria instead. In fact, Sánchez and Longoria are good friends and went on to work together on the series, Devious Maids and are now reunited again on Grand Hotel.

Happily Ever After
Sánchez got engaged to actor Eric Winter — who has been on a number of shows including Days of Our Lives and The Rookie — in 2007 after a couple of years of dating. They tied the knot in November 2008 in Sánchez’s home of Puerto Rico and have two children — 7-year-old daughter, Sebella, and 1-year-old son, Dylan.