In a new series, USA TODAY's The EssentialsCelebrities talk about what drives their lives.
For Francia Raísa, known for her roles in “How I Met Your Father” and “Grown-ish,” acting was her “end of life.” But now she is putting her best into the world of entrepreneurship.
“(Acting) was the only thing I could ever do in life,” Raísa says. “I was very conscious of the fact that I didn't go to college and had no foundation as the industry is so up and down, but when I happened to go to Hilary (Duff) I was at home one day and I told her When she brought salsa, she said, 'You have to put it in a glass.'”
What started with her sharing homemade salsa with loved ones quickly grew into a business venture with La Victoria.
The 35-year-old Los Angeles native says getting into the business was definitely on her bingo card, “but I never thought about food because I couldn’t cook. I forced myself to learn it when I was 18, the first thing I did.” I learned how to make salsa.
The salsa brand has teamed up with Raísa to offer two limited-time offerings of green and red fire-roasted salsa, which Raísa describes as “a little taste of home.”
Francia Raisa says repairing friendship with Selena Gomez was all about “timing.”
Raísa puts “everything on my friends,” she says. Finally, she donated one of her kidneys to her longtime friend Selena Gomez in 2018.
The actress, who met Gomez when they both starred in “The Secret Life of an American Teenager” and “Wizards of Waverly Place,” says the two initially bonded over “teenage breakups,” her Mexican-American roots and bonded by their shared love for Mexican food.
“It's still crazy to me that people were interested in our friendship. … I don't know why the timing came, but I remember being in St. Tropez in June and constantly talking about her. We didn’t have that.” We talked a lot in six years. Especially last year, we didn’t talk at all.”
'I love you':Selena Gomez wishes Francia Raisa a happy birthday and denies feud rumors
In July, when Raísa turned 35, Gomez publicly wished her a happy birthday on Instagram. “I don't know why the universe chose that time…then she reached out and said, 'Let's talk.'” During dinner, the two agreed: It's “no beef, just salsa.”
“We've never really had a fight with each other. Nothing happened, and if you ask us we don't know what happened, but we needed that time apart. When you get back together, you're a better person.” She and I are still getting to know each other.
“And obviously, you know, I gave the girl a kidney to make everyone feel a certain way, and I was asked for years, 'Do you regret it?' and I said, ‘No, the relationship has always been there.’ There was just one argument.”
Beans with sauce are Francia Raisa’s “comfort food”
Frijoles con salsa, i.e. beans and salsa, are Raísa's favorite food.
“I still love my frijoles guisados, I make them every Sunday and I have them for a week.
“This is honestly my comfort food. Just frijoles guisados, with queso fresco and salsa on top, and I eat it with a tortilla. That makes me so happy. You can't explain it, but it's so reassuring to me – whenever I want. “If I'm sick or missing home, I can do it.”
“Super proud”:Selena Gomez receives support from Francia Raisa at a mental health fundraiser
Francia Raisa's self-care routine begins before bed
Before Raísa goes to bed around 9:30 p.m., it's all about “really hydrating my skin,” using SPF regularly, using her NuFACE facial toning device, using LED light therapy on her skin, and “making sure I “I’m awake.” on my vitamins.
“I want to take care of myself and I'm trying to get better at all of this, taking my probiotics and everything,” she says. “I’m 35. I’m getting older and life is real.”
Coffee before interacting with people is non-negotiable for Francia Raisa
Don't talk to Raisa until she has had her coffee.
“I’m a grumpy person,” she jokes. “So first things first is coffee, that’s what I have to do to get through the day.”
“I like it black with hazelnut cream. That's it.”
Then the actress makes a protein shake, walks her dog, exercises and writes in her diary.
“I like to wake up early to get everything done before I start my day,” she adds. “I like to enjoy at least 30 minutes outside and just stare at my garden, sometimes I daydream or just talk to myself, but I just need some quiet time.”
Essential lessons Francia Raisa learned in her 30s
◾ “At 30 you don’t have to find your person. This is no pressure, if you're single at 30, that's fine. If you’re single at 35 like me, it’s fine.”
◾ “Not everything is so serious. If you’re stuck in traffic, there’s nothing you can do about it – you’re late, just communicate it.”
◾ “No one will die because of a few small mistakes, and try not to let guilt kill you.”
◾ “I wish I would put the past behind me much sooner than I did. It’s okay to grow up.”
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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