America Ferrera of Ugly Betty Wins Golden Globe

America has fallen in love with America. America Ferrera, star of the television series, Ugly Betty, won the 2007 Golden Globe for Best Performance in a Television Series - Comedy or Musical. This up and coming young actress absolutely more than deserved her award. Up against the likes of two desperate housewives and a former Seinfeld cast member, her talent outshone even these gorgeous veteran actresses with her genuine, honest, and quirky portrayal of Betty Suarez.

I swear America's acceptance speech made everyone in the room start crying. Even her fellow nominees seemed genuinely happy for her and were trying to hold back tears. She tried so hard to remember to name each individual that she wanted to thank (which was a lot!), and she was just ... so real! I was bawling on my bed as I watched her, nervous and happy, trying to climb up the stage. I think the reason that so many people love this show, this character, and this actress is that while it is a bit surreal in its presentation, it's not another cookie cutter cutie up there. It's a girl that really isn't ugly, but because she doesn't "fit" the ideal mold of a so-called "perfect" woman of society today, she's somehow deemed so. The refreshing thing about this character too is that she doesn't fit the other stereotype either - mousey quiet girl. So many characters who have glasses and brown hair (fashion suicide apparently) are considered to be silent doormats only interested in science. Not Betty - she speaks her mind, cherishes chic, and relentlessly pursues her dreams. Her character Betty is a girl from Queens who always dreamed of breaking into the publishing business. She happily landed a job at the fashion magazine, Mode, as assistant to the editor, Daniel Meade. Betty, however, is not your typical fashion fodder - she is short, curvy, wears glasses (oh my God!), and tends to don too much polyester and ponchos. In a nutshell, Betty is a character that all women can relate to in some way, and that makes her great.

Not new to acclaim, America made her film breakout in Real Women Have Curves, which won Sundance's Audience Award as well Special Jury Prize for Ferrera. One of her other recent leading roles before Ugly Betty, was as Carmen in The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, for which America was also nominated for several awards: Teen Choice Movie Breakout Performance - Female, Satellite Award - Outstanding Actress in a Supporting Role - Comedy or Muscial, and ALMA's Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture.

This extremely talented young actress has a bright future ahead. Not only is she a wonderful inspiration to women and young ladies everywhere, but she is just a pure pleasure to watch perform. America, we love you!