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Julie Gonzalo certainly looks like the quintessential all-American girl. In fact, her previous roles as a cheerleader in both “A Cinderella Story” and “Dodgeball” only emphasize her girl next door mystique. But, as our mamas always taught us…appearances can be deceiving.

“People don’t believe I’m Spanish. I’m not even American. I can’t even vote,” says Gonzalo. But that doesn’t keep the Argentinean born actress from pursuing the American dream. Upon leaving her homeland and moving to Florida with her family as a child, Gonzalo grew up and grew into a modeling career doing print and commercial work. After being cast in a film that was shooting in Florida, her agent exclaimed it was time for the then 20-year-old, promising actress to move to Los Angeles and “the rest is history.”

After turning in performances in “Freaky Friday,” “Christmas with the Kranks,” “Must Love Dogs” and the aforementioned films, Gonzalo auditioned for what would become her biggest role yet, that of forthright, good-hearted lawyer Maggie Dekker on the ABC hit television series, “Eli Stone.” “I actually thought I was very young for the part,” states Gonzalo. “It was me and three other girls and I remember being the only blonde one. I ended up getting the part and dyeing my hair brown. It’s amazing how a little hair color can really change you,” she says, laughing.

Since its debut last year, “Eli Stone” has garnered critical acclaim for its visionary, out of the box approach to storytelling. The show gives its viewers a moral glimpse into the San Francisco-based law firm’s employees and their clients. “The pilot was really interesting,” recalls Gonzalo. “The way they connect with people, the way they talk about truth, the way they talk about religion and not necessarily any specific religion, but a God that we can all relate to.” The subject of faith is a constant in the show, in more ways than one, and an important factor in Gonzalo’s life. “I feel I was very blessed from the start but it did take me six years to be on a great show. It takes a lot of perseverance…you get turned down every day. It’s about surrounding yourself with people who have faith in you and can lift you up when you’re down,” states Gonzalo.

The down times seem to have surpassed for the moment. A mere few weeks shy of her recent 27th birthday, Gonzalo received an ALMA Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Television Series for her portrayal of Maggie, an achievement she was completely unprepared to receive. “I think I was the one that was the most shocked. It was my first nomination and I never expected to win.” Especially since she feels most aren’t aware of her heritage, due to her looks. “Spanish people are very stereotyped. I think there are a lot of actors out there trying to break that stereotype and I’m one of them,’ says Gonzalo. “I did my first Spanish speaking film a year ago and I was amazed that they hired me because I was a blonde with long hair. We’re all here to make a name for ourselves and put our heritage out there.”

And although she’s ecstatic and completely appreciative of her innocent, altruistic role on “Eli Stone” that won her an ALMA (“Icing on the cake” as she calls it), she’s ready to kiss her all-American perception goodbye. “I feel like I learn a lot from this role because she’s such a pure hearted girl. But now I’m like I want to play a drug addict and I don’t know why. I’m just in the mood to do something extremely different. I would love to do something dark or crazy.” With those dark tresses, I’m thinking “Wonder Woman.” She may not be crazy but she does carry a mean lasso.

Make sure to catch Julie Gonzalo on the new season of “Eli Stone” on ABC beginning October 14th. Check your local listings for times.

(Alma Award photo courtesy of © Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)