Ana de Armas Opens Up About Learning English From ‘Friends’ During ‘SNL’ Monologue

variety.com:

Katie Reul editor Ana de Armas paid homage to her Cuban roots during her “Saturday Night Live” hosting debut on Saturday. As the “Blonde” star emerged on stage for her monologue, she greeted the audience in Spanish, before opening up about her experience coming to the United States. “Gracias, gracias,” De Armas said in response to a roar of applause. “He tenido un año increíble y estoy muy feliz de estar aquí presentando el programa de esta noche.” (“Thank you, thank you; I’ve had an incredible year and I’m very happy to be here hosting the show tonight.”) “I speak English,” De Armas continued, “But I didn’t when I first got to the U.S.

I was born in Cuba. I came to America when I was 26, and I learned English the way everyone who comes to this country does: by watching ‘Friends.'” “Who would have thought that the best English tutor would be Chandler Bing?” De Armas joked, proceeding to mimic the fan-favorite sitcom character. “I mean look at me now; could I be any better at English?” De Armas went on to explain the hardships she faced coming to America with English as a second language.

She used the example of an acting class, “which was definitely a scam,” centered around the audition process: “There was this line, ‘I beg your pardon.’ But I had never seen or heard that phrase, so I thought this character was literally begging.” The Academy Award nominee also shouted out Robert de Niro during her opening remarks, who she met while working on her first movie in the U.S., titled “Hands of Stone.” De Armas elaborated on how the fellow actor visited her father at work while on a trip to Cuba. “That was such a kind gesture, and I have been so fortunate to work with so many wonderful actors,” De Armas concluded. “My dad