unilad homepage
unilad homepage
  • News
    • UK News
    • US News
    • World News
    • Crime
    • Health
    • Money
    • Sport
    • Travel
  • Music
  • Technology
  • Film and TV
    • News
    • DC Comics
    • Disney
    • Marvel
    • Netflix
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Archive
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Ana De Armas says she learned English watching Friends
Home>Celebrity
Updated 14:53 11 May 2023 GMT+1Published 12:27 16 Apr 2023 GMT+1

Ana De Armas says she learned English watching Friends

The actor moved to the US when she was 26

Claire Reid

Claire Reid

google discoverFollow us on Google Discover
Featured Image Credit: NBC / Warner Bros

Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Friends, Ana de Armas

Claire Reid
Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at UNILAD who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats.

Advert

Advert

Advert

Ana de Armas has said that she learnt English by watching Friends when she moved to the US.

The Blonde star appeared on Saturday Night Live where she revealed that she was set to become a US citizen in the next few weeks. You can see her talk about her move to the US here:

De Armas moved to America from Cuba when she was 26 and joked that she credits the popular sitcom with teaching her how to speak English.

Advert

Opening her SNL monologue in Spanish, de Armas said: “Gracias, gracias, muchas gracias.

“He tenido un año increíble y estoy muy feliz de estar aquí presentando el programa de esta noche.” Which, Google tells me, translates to: "Thank you, thank you very much. I've had an amazing year and I'm so happy to be here hosting tonight's show.”

Ana de Armas on Saturday Night Live.
NBC

De Armas then switched to perfect English to continue: “Just kidding! I speak English, but I didn’t when I first got to the US. I was born in Cuba, came to America when I was 26 and I learnt English the way everyone who comes to this country does… by watching Friends.”

She went on: “Who would’ve thought that the best English tutor would be Chandler Bing? I mean, look at me now. Could I be any better at English?”

The Oscar-nominee then shared the news that she was going to become a US citizen in just three weeks time.

Friends helped Ana de Armas brush up on her English.
Warner Bros

"This has been a magical year. Not only [was] I nominated for an Oscar, but in three weeks I’m gonna officially become an American citizen," she said.

"I am proud to become a citizen because when I moved here, everyone was so welcoming."

After making the life-changing revelation, de Armas shared a sweet story about her Hands of Stone co-star, and legendary Hollywood star, Robert De Niro.

Ana de Armas played iconic US star Marilyn Monroe in Blonde.
Netflix

She said: "When I did my first movie in the US, called Hands of Stone, I got to work with Robert De Niro.

"And one day on set, he told me, ‘I may be going to Cuba soon. If I do, I’ll say hello to your family.’ He even asked me for the phone number.

"I completely forgot about it, and then one day out of the blue, I get a phone call from my dad.

He’s hysterical. I’m like, ‘Dad, what’s wrong?’ He’s like, ‘Robert De Niro just came to visit me at work.’

"That was such a kind gesture, and I’ve been so fortunate to work with so many supportive actors."

Choose your content:

10 hours ago
13 hours ago
14 hours ago
17 hours ago
  • (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
    10 hours ago

    Kyle Busch’s 11-year-old son Brexton shares emotional tribute after NASCAR star’s death

    Brexton's tribute comes days after the family's heartbreaking statement

    Celebrity
  • (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON / AFP via Getty Images)
    13 hours ago

    Timothée Chalamet’s mom reveals what his ‘Lil Timmy Tim’ high school era was really like

    The star was a 'rap artist' before achieving global fame as an actor

    Celebrity
  • (Photo by JC Olivera/Variety via Getty Images)
    14 hours ago

    Scarlett Johansson reveals how there is always a ‘deficit’ in life despite Hollywood success

    The Marvel star says she had to learn to be 'more kind' to herself over the years

    Celebrity
    Live
  • (Photo by Manny Hernandez/Getty Images)
    17 hours ago

    It Takes Two's Rob Base dies aged 59 after cancer battle

    Rob Base wrote the hit song that brought hip-hop into the mainstream

    Celebrity
  • Ana de Armas says she was ghosted by men with how she used to look
  • Lisa Kudrow slams Friends writers claiming they had 'sexual fantasies' behind the scenes
  • Ana de Armas says she is in 'pain' after fighting with Keanu Reeves
  • Lisa Kudrow reveals what she really thinks about Friends' Ross and Rachel storyline