Jamie Lee Curtis Feels 'Real Embarrassment' Over What She Assumed About Ana de Armas When They Met

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Vera Anderson/WireImage; Ray Tamarra/Getty

Jamie Lee Curtisis recalling her first impression ofAna de Armas.

The two both starred in the 2019 ensemble filmKnives Out, which was de Armas' big breakout project, leading to parts inNo Time to Die,The Gray Manand as Marilyn Monroe in the upcomingBlonde. In anewELLEcover storyabout de Armas, Curtis said she thought her Cuban-born costar, now 34, was an “unsophisticated young woman” at first.

“I assumed — and I say this with real embarrassment — because she had come from Cuba, that she had just arrived. I made an assumption that she was an inexperienced, unsophisticated young woman,” Curtis toldELLE. “That first day, I was like, ‘Oh, what are your dreams?’ "

De Armas talks about Cuba and diversity in Hollywood during theELLEinterview. She moved to Los Angeles at 26 after having done a few Cuban films and taking television parts in Spain before that.

Back in February 2021, Curtiswrote a glowing tributeto de Armas forTimewhen the actress was among the magazine’s Time100 Next list that year.

Michael Kovac/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“I met Ana de Armas on the first day of filmingKnives Out.During that first scene, I looked into her beautiful green eyes, which were brimming with tears of grief as her character mourned her friend and employer. At that moment, I remember thinking, ‘Who is this?’ Her talent was unmistakable,” wrote Curtis.

AnotherKnives Outcostar,Chris Evans, also toldELLEabout working with de Armas. The duo have since made Netflix’sThe Gray Manand the upcomingGhostedtogether.

“I’m a fan first. There are certain people on camera you can’t stop watching, and her range, from power to vulnerability, is incredibly wide. Every actor has strong suits, but she can go from almost dangerous to exposed and gentle and soft in one scene,” said Evans, 41.

source: people.com