Eva, meet durian

So the mighty durian isn't quite so famous after all.

Hollywood actress Eva Longoria was caught in a thorny situation yesterday when the tropical fruit was mentioned - and it appeared that she wasn't exactly sure what it was.

Longoria, 39, had met the media at the Damiani - 90 years of Passion and Excellence press conference.

A spokesman of the Italian jewellery brand, she was in town to grace the opening of its boutique at The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands (MBS).

The fruity incident was sparked off by an innocuous question: Had she bought any Singaporean souvenirs?

"(Whenever I travel), I love to buy something that represents the country's culture," the star of hit US drama Desperate Housewives replied.

"So when I go to Hawaii, I'll buy a pineapple key chain. When I go to New York, I'll buy a Statue of Liberty (figurine).

DURIAN WHAT?

"What would I buy in Singapore?" she asked the room of reporters.

A durian, one helpful soul replied.

Ever the sweetheart, the Texan-born sex symbol - she was named Maxim magazine's Woman of the Year in January - couldn't bear to hurt our feelings by saying she didn't know what a durian was.

So she paused for an awkward moment, even looking slightly sheepish.

But she quickly recovered by laughing it off.

"A durian? Er, I'm going shopping later this afternoon, I'll go figure it out."

FIVE THINGS ABOUT EVA LONGORIA

1. SHE'S CRAZY ABOUT AIRPORTS

When Longoria arrived at 3am yesterday after a 22-hour flight, she admitted she was "dazed and confused".

But she has a self-confessed obsession with airports and so couldn't resist ogling at ours.

She said: "You guys have a great airport. We drove for miles (in a buggy), it's a really big one. And there's so much shopping."

She also tweeted: "Just landed in Singapore! Rainy and humid just like Miami! Love it!"

2. SHE GOES FOR RUNS EVEN WHILE ON HOLIDAY

The breathtaking sights of Gardens By The Bay around Marina Bay Sands where she stayed blew the avid runner away.

"I went for a run at 6am and it was a magical experience. It's to get my endorphins up. (It) was probably the best run ever."

3. SHE GETS BEAUTY TIPS FROM VICTORIA BECKHAM

Longoria revealed that her fashion designer pal, who was just here to unveil her new accessories line, had warned her about the weather. She said: "She told me that it's really hot. And humid. So I packed well (with anti-frizz products).

"I think I'm staying in the same room (at Marina Bay Sands) that she stayed in when she was here."

4. SHE SUFFERS FOR FASHION

Looked fresh in a figure-hugging black dress paired with white Christian Louboutin heels, she kicked off the press conference with a short speech.

She quipped: "I can't breathe in this dress, this dress is meant to be worn standing up!"

5. SHE LOVES BEING A DIAMOND COMPANY SPOKESMAN

The best thing for her about representing Damiani is that she gets to wear all those sparkly baubles.

She said: "Damiani is a really fun brand to endorse. I like white diamonds and classic rings. When I do events like red carpet, I love to take risks. Like now I have on a three-finger ring, it's a talking point in itself."

cchar@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on May 29, 2014.
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