Penelope Cruz Tells 'Ellen' That She Sought Donatella Versace's Approval to Play Her in 'American Crime Story'

Penelope Cruz makes an appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, airing on Tuesday (January 16), and opens up about receiving Donatella Versace‘s full blessing to play her in the upcoming FX series, American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.

“You feel much more responsibility [playing a real person],” the 43-year-old explained to Ellen. “When Ryan [Murphy] called me… I said, ‘I need to make a phone call and talk to Donatella about this’ before taking the job.”

“She [Donatella] told me if somebody was going to do it, she was really happy that it was me, because I think she knows what I feel for her and Gianni,” Penelope added. “They’re the most kind people. It’s important to me that when she sees what I’ve done she can feel the love and respect that I have put there and how I feel for her.”

Penelope also teaches Ellen a couple of phrases in Spanish – Watch more after the cut!

Click inside to watch the rest of Penelope Cruz’s appearance on The Ellen Show…