Rosario Dawson covers the October issue of Cosmo Latina to promote Sin City 2, which already bombed at the box office. That’s putting things mildly. It crashed hard. This isn’t Rosario’s fault. She had a pretty minor role and wasn’t featured in the film’s marketing (thanks, Jessica Alba). The film still has some international territories to attempt, but Robert Rodriguez waited too many years for this sequel to succeed. That’s a shame.
Anyway. Rosario looks stunning in this shoot. I’ve always wished she was a bigger star. She works on the reg, but she’s not a household name. Too bad. Rosario kicks some serious butt. This interview covers Rosario’s work for Voto Latino and some stuff about romance. She admits to being a “late bloomer” for losing her virginity. Is 20 years old considered “late”?
Voto Latino’s goals for 2014: “It’s not just about getting out there to vote, it’s also about who you vote for. We need more women of color in politics, because, otherwise, we’re not represented. Through our summit series, we’re engaging Latinos in community building and networking–it has been absolutely remarkable because we’re having students and dreamers from across the nation networking.”
Her teenage years: “I was an awkward teenager. I went stag to my prom. I was a virgin until I was 20 years old! My mother was raising five kids on her own, I wasn’t just going to sit back and be a horny teenager and continue some cycle of teenage pregnancy–I wanted more opportunities.”
Her wants in a relationship: “I’m a touch person, I love intimacy … I love men! I love romance. I would love to fall deeply in love with someone, but at the same time it’s not my everything.”
The most romantic gestures: “For me, it’s about forethought. For my 25th birthday, my then-boyfriend prepared a beautiful bath for me. He put flowers and a bunch of little candles everywhere. He was crazy busy, and he knew I loved a great bath! I remember it was so small but it was so special to me because he thought it through.”
[From Cosmo Latina]
Hmm. It’s certainly not a bad thing to lose one’s virginity at age 20. I wish I’d waited that long! All sexual encounters before age 25 have been wiped (as much as possible) from my mind. No one knows what they’re doing early on anyway. There’s no rush. I also appreciate Rosario’s eye towards the future. She grew up in poverty and didn’t want to become another teenage pregnancy statistic. Smart.
Photos courtesy of Cosmo Latina
Another beautiful woman that seems to age like a fine wine.
She has aged very well. I don’t know if people know this but she lost her virginity to Jay Z. They used to date in the late 90s
WHAT?
False. They dated in 2000. And how do you know she lost it to Jay Z?
It’s true. She and Jay Z dated from 99 until late 2000
Gross. I get that Jay Z has lots of money, but he didn’t win the lottery in the looks dept.
She aged very well and she seems even more beautiful now than she was before!
She’s 35, what aging are you talking about? She’s just starting to age
Who cares? Why does it even have to be discussed? What year is this again?
Agreed….I don’t need to know when every celeb in Hollywood lost their virginity! Dear God, I’m a huge gossip fan, but even I think “why are you telling us this”! It’s like telling us the last time you went to the bathroom!
I hear what you are saying. But on the other hand, I have a daughter in HS who has decided she’s not ready for sex and trying to navigate through a teenage culture where a majority are sexually active. It can be tough.
So in that sense, I appreciate a celebrity sharing this as an example that the choice my daughter has made can be done.
Why did you click on the article then? It says it is about virginity in the title.
Thank you mia. As the mother of a teenage daughter, I totally agree with you.
Thank you. Who cares?
Seriously! Yawn… Everyone loses their virginity at some point. Twenty is probably pretty average.
I agree. Why does it matter when someone loses his/her virginity? I think it is even less newsworthy (or shocking) when virginity is lost later in life. I really don’t recommend anyone younger than 18 to have sex. At least people who lose it in their 20s (or even 30s or later) have a better idea of what they want and will be more likely to share the moment with someone more meaningful than an afterthought or a regret later in life. All that matters is that the act of sex is consensual and enjoyable for both parties involved. Even better when it is with someone you love or deeply care about.
Maybe it’s not for you ladies, but can be helpful to teen girls who feel pressurised into loosing it early.
So you’re saying that teen girls who are pressured to have sex should just do it not because they want to but because other people are telling them to do it? I think that is probably the worst advice you can give to any girl.
Kibbles- I think Hannah meant that the subject matter might not be newsworthy to adults but it’s a good message for teens. I don’t think she was advocating having sex under pressure..
I think loosing your virginity is very idiosyncratic I was completely ready at 16 mind you our age of consent is lower, it depends what they view as sex whether its for love or it is just an act they enjoy.
Do you think perhaps she’s trying to address teen pregnancy here? Sharing some advice for young girls through personal experience? I.e. If you wait, you avoid being a teen mother.
Why did they style her so poorly? She’s so beautiful but it looks like they had no idea what to do with her. Such a shame. On the other hand it’s Cosmo, so why am I even surprised? I was a late bloomer too; just didn’t feel like it was a big deal in my teenage years.
Yeah, I’m not loving the styling either. The first and third photos are the best.
For Cosmo, this is decent styling. Their shoots are always tacky.
Me too and then ?
It sounds like she made conscious decisions about her life, even as a teen, which is how more people should be. Far better than the daddy-controlled sexuality of the Duggars, But still, she’s a strong woman with some definite views, who is taking political action to get others involved in our society. Why not focus on that instead of teen-age sexuality from two decades ago?
I would make a terrible celeb cause if it’s not about the work or charity that I do then I ain’t sharing! Lol I’m a scorpio I’ll probably end up asking the interviewer the personal stuff!!
Is that out of the ordinary? I was 28 and wish I’d waited.
Not sure. I was 22 and I wished I had waited too because it was cr@p.
So she waited until she was 20 to have sex because she didn’t want to be a pregnant teenager? Ever heard of contraception?
Ever heard of failure rate?
I was aware of failure rate when I was 16. That’s why I used two methods (the ring, and condoms). I guess that means I was ready?
Plus, it’s hardly groundbreaking news. I don’t think she was the only 20 year old virgin in existence.
I waited till I was 21 and it was pretty difficult, especially because I was dating a 19-year-old when I was only 14 (he dumped me because I wouldn’t put out) and I was definitely the last among my closest friends to lose it.
I think it’s good that she’s sending a message that it’s ok to wait.
I’m also really glad I waited because I have a much healthier attitude about sex than some of my friends who were pressured into losing it at a young age.
And that isn’t to say that everyone who loses it at a young age ends up having an unhealthy attitude towards sex, not at all, it’s just to say that for me, I wasn’t emotionally ready, and I think it would have messed me up if I had caved to pressure.
Maybe that was TMI, but then again, that’s never stopped me before so eh.
Yeah, I said later on down the thread that I sort of take back my Who Cares, and see how it could be a positive message for some teens struggling with the decision. I think she could have articulated her reasons better, but it’s still probably good.
I grew up in a much easier era, I think, in that it was not unheard of for a 15 year old to have sex, but it wasn’t expected, either, so there wasn’t as much pressure. Not that boys didn’t try, but they sort of expected you to say no. I was in college when I first had sex, and I’m glad I waited, too. But as I said, that wasn’t very unusual.
GNAT – Yea, these are different times. Sure, teens have always had sex, but I also grew up in a time when it was much less prevalent and expectations were different.
Today, a majority of teens in my daughters highschool-aged peer group are sexually active and many very casually. I’m still surprised that the hook-up culture has trickled down into teenage years.
My daughter and I are very open about discussing sex and she has made the decision that while many of her friends are already active, she is not ready/she prefers to wait to have sex until after highschool.
It may not seem “late” to some, but in today’s day and age, it really is more so on the late side.
Contraception fails plenty of times, especially when you’re a horny teenager.
Never happened to me. As an aside the average age for losing your virginity in the USA is 16 but in Malaysia it’s 23 according to the sources I’ve read.
Oh for God’s sake that’s not remotely “late”! And headlines with a “!” (Thanks Kneepads magazine.) only serve to put peer pressure on teenage girls. As old as that! Shocking! Then teens rush into something they regret (or worse).
Besides that…who needs to talk about this in mass media stories?! She’s a talented actress, not reality TV trash. Talk about selling your private life!
Agree – I immediately thought of my teen daughter reading that and I am cringing.
I don’t mind her talking about how late she lost her virginity. It’s kind of refreshing to hear someone admit that they used and valued their brain at a young age. I think young women need to hear that.
So much of what is hoisted on us, especially young people, is that you’re a prude or uptight if you’re not screwing everything into oblivion by the time you’re 15. Every magazine screams that you have to “explore your sexuality” at every available chance or you aren’t a real woman.
I’m not promoting abstinence by any stretch, but maybe we should celebrate women who want to explore themselves and who they are outside the sexual realm, especially when they’re young.
It’s ok to wait til your late teens to have sex. It’s alright if you don’t know every sexual trick in Cosmo by the time you graduate high school. It’s ok if you want to focus on yourself!
Yeah, I was a late bloomer too, I had a few boyfriends in h.s. but it was like there was this window where all my friends lost their virginity at 15/16, and I knew I wasn’t ready for that, and then I didn’t feel any pressure after that really. There was a sort of weird virgin club at my school that tried to recruit me, I wasn’t into any of that religious promise ring b.s. either though, I was a drama geek who mostly hung with gay b.f.’s and girlfriends so that helped too I guess. Anything “different” wasn’t weird to us. I like what she said about feeling more responsible as a kid of a single mom, I was the same way, and I feel like single moms get a bad rap for so much that I really disagree with. I knew my mom would kick my a** if I ever fell out of line, but she was also relaxed enough that I didn’t feel like I needed to rebel. Whereas when we lived w/my Dad he was chasing boys off when I hit puberty, it was embarassing, so I probably would have rebelled against that sooner if that makes any sense.
I agree about the social shame a lot of single mums receive, one of my collegue has raised three children alone (her husband quit the family for a younger piece) and all I have for her is respect.
One thing I do not like is the “late bloomer thing”, I think we are all entitled to our very own personal timing.
I have lost my verginity at 20, because I wanted the “right guy”. And he was sweet gentle, and respectful.
I did not feel like an alien, but I think nowdays with all the oversexualization we see on the internet there might be a lot of pressure.
I lost mine at 18 almost 19, and I still felt like a late bloomer. Glad I waited though. I could have lost it way earlier but I would not have been emotionally ready. Luckily I tended to pick fairly sensitive boyfriends. The one that wasn’t was kicked to the curb without haste.
I agree with you, Sighs, Posted the same above.
This is TMI but my immediate elder sister is still a virgin at 25 even though she is engaged to the man of her dreams: she chose to wait.
So 20 is no biggie.
She is a pretty woman and I dig her atlethic body.
Lol am i the only one who doesn’t think this is a case of TMI? I’m glad she was honest, it’s pretty refreshing and I’m all for women being able to speak about their sex life (or lack of) and not being shamed for it or told to shut up cause people can’t handle women talking about subjects that won’t make them seem like a “classy lady”.
+1
+2
Interesting. I first saw her in the movie, Kids, where she played a sexually active teenager. That movie traumatized me.
Me too!
What’s wrong with her talking about her losing her virginity late, but people don’t have a problem with the question that was ask to Mindy in the article yesterday about making abortion a topic on her show. I’m pretty sure if she said she was 16 when she start having sex nobody would have a problem with it. You know it is OK to talk about waiting to have sex when you’re a young girl, especially when the media only show and sell sex too young girls now.
I get what you’re saying, and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with waiting. I can’t speak for everybody, but I think maybe it’s the way she said it? Like WOW I was SO old – 20! When that’s really not a big deal. I think if she had articulated her reasons better, instead of acting like she was so unusual, people would have been ok with it. But you make a good point.
20 may have been late amongst her peer group.
Yeah, I’m pretty old, so that wasn’t all that unusual in my age group, but you’re right, and TMH has a good point that it might be helpful to young girls trying to decide. I didn’t really think it through.
I think context is important here – for someone that acted in Kids at 14, waiting until 20 really goes against that image that a lot of people must have had about her.
I loooove the comments on this! Totally agree that it’s not late and it’s not important. I’m 24 & still waiting. For the right time & feelings. Just haven’t been in that place yet and it’s no big deal. I thought the comments on this would be judgy but they’re so comforting and supporting of women. Xx
Seriously, good for you–and I mean that.
I waited until I felt ready and lost it with someone I REALLY trusted and cared about and felt safe with.
For me, it wasn’t about making losing my virginity into some *Huge Deal*, because my first wasn’t the love of my life and I knew he wasn’t.
It wasn’t because I was waiting for The Right One, it was about me and what I wanted and the timing was just right.
*shrugs*
I think I would freak if it was supposed to be a huge deal, but I just don’t know. I am a mega shy person–you all just think I’m chatty now bc I’m on the internet…if I’d met anyone of you in real life, then I probably wouldn’t say a word more than ‘hi’.
So I often think about how I’d lose my virginity, and I can’t see it not being a huge thing. Because I can’t just let ANYONE up there…..God, no. I had a mom that was single for the majority of her life–based on her example, I’m gonna do a FB check/background check (in case dude is married, as my sperm donor was), demand an STD free peen (doctor’s note is not negotiable), and be on the strongest BC pill/shot I can find.
I can’t really see it any other way, at this point. I am so shy, it’s horrible. It definitely would have to be with someone that I knew for a long time, was friends with. But then again, I’m not in a hurry (we’re spinster sisters, Aminta)….I get that sex can be wonderful, etc, but I’m really affected by that either. I guess it helps that I’ve never been in a huge demand either. I’ve never been pressured by anyone to give up the goods–which it’s horrible that my 14 year old sister has already had that pressure.
Ugh–this post is SO awkward. I guess this entire discussion is awkward.
VC – I don’t think your post was awkward at all. And yes, I am a little surprised to read that you are an extremely shy person in real life, because you share so wonderfully and easily with us. Your posts are always enjoyable and so I’m glad you are not shy on CB.
And I will add, that when you do decide to be sexually intimate with someone, that will be one lucky person.
You’re so adorable, VC!
I think that intimacy is a very wonderful thing. It applies both to emotions and being physical with someone. I think if you focus on the first type of intimacy, and find someone you feel comfortable with and can talk to about all sorts of things, it makes the second type of intimacy all the easier. Plus, it will make it easier to ask for a doctor’s note. 😉 Hugs to you, sweetie!
VC, not awkward at all. And you’re so smart to wait until you feel comfortable. Plus, I’m not sure if this will come out right, but people act like sex is a life changing experience, and suddenly you’re a “woman.” Cue the waves crashing on the beach. It’s really not that big of a change. You’re still the exact same person, you just had sex now. It takes some practice and time and the right person before it gets all that good, or it did for me. I loved my first lover and trusted him, and I liked the cuddling part, but to be honest, I was sort of like, “that was it?” So just wait until you find the right guy and he will be lucky, as Mia girl said.
“I was sort of like, “that was it?””
Me too! My first guy had years of experience…but that didn’t seem to make a difference to how long my first time lasted. 😉
You go girl. Do what’s right for you, when it’s right for you.
Me too. Except I’m 36, but somehow that seems to make it seem like there’s something wrong with me, like we all have to want and wish for the same things and can’t be happy otherwise.
Nothing wrong with that ! I don’t know why the world believes that everyone has to give up their virginity at some point in life. No you don’t. If you don’t want to, or are waiting for the right person, marriage, etc…then please wait. Who cares if you’re in your 30’s, 40’s or even 50’s !
uff.. i’m 28 and i´m still waiting.. i was feeling alone !! and yes it seems like there´s something wrong. my friends don´t put pressure on me, they say its a good thing and i thank to that but sometimes i feel there´s something wrong. also i haven´t introduce a formal boyfriend to my family and sometimes i think it´s weird, they never say something but i know they are thinking what is going on with me. anyway sometimes it´s just a little bit embarrassing.
@lyaloo & Lola You aren’t alone – I’m 38 in a similar circumstance. It’s lonely, and makes me feel like a freak with faulty wiring because I don’t conform to accepted social practice, but I know this choice is right for me. And it’s nice to know I’m not the only almost-40-year-old virgin 🙂
The headline appeared TMI, but I thought the reason she gave wasn’t irritating the way other celebs’ reasons have been in their wording about when they lost their virginity.
When I first saw the headline, I was expecting her to either say she was an ugly teenager or that she was, uh, Jessica Simpson with a purity ring or something like that….or would go the route of saying whatever it was Blake Lively said when she was trying to bring up her sexual history, but when she said it was a conscious decision not to become a pregnancy statistic, I thought the reason she publicly revealed what she did made more sense than when other celebrities doing it. She may have revealed too much in terms of not protecting her privacy, but the reason she said what she did didn’t appear to be a calculated move to either garner headlines or make herself seem better or worse than other women.
Great interview, and it’s great she talked about being a goal-driven teenager and not focused on sex and boys and the possible consequences of that. After high school, maybe she just didn’t meet the right guy until 20. It wasn’t anything preachy or braggy, to me. She just relayed her experience as the child of a single mother of five children and how it impacted her and also her decisions. You need something to combat the evil Kartrashians who have spent eight years or more talking about “boning” every five seconds, and they talked like that all the time in front of Kylie and the other one when they were just tweens.
Meh, I had sex as a teen, it was great, hormone-driven sex..no regrets.
NBD. I’m a 28 year old virgin.
well im 28 too and sometimes gets awkward.
Im 33, so what? If you dont feel like doing something, then dont do it. I dont feel awkward or anything. It’s my own choice
Yes, so nice to know there are women out there who think this way ! Totally agree.
Her right arm has more sexy muscle tone than most starlettes.
I’m 26 and still a virgin. I’ve dated but just haven’t found the right one. I also feel like there’s something wrong with me too since my friends lost theirs early. But sometimes I’m glad that I’m waiting too. Maybe it’s because I’m so anxious about the failure rate of BC and the risk of STDs. It’s like, yikes! You know?
I like that she said she waited until she was 20. I was younger and regretted it. I definitely felt societal pressure to lose my virginity when I was a teen. It would’ve made me feel better as a teen to hear a famous beautiful actress share this. I think it’s good for girls to hear a variety of stories. Some have sex as teens. Some don’t. It doesn’t make you weird if you elect to wait. It doesn’t make you a slut if you choose to have sex earlier either.
TMI…
On the other hand, any 20-somethings that want to start working on techniques, etc., I work cheap.