Turn back the page: In 2004, family recalled 'Love Actually' star as exchange student

The Jan. 1, 2004, issue of the Eden Prairie news included an Eden Prairie connection to the new movie "Love Actually."
"Lucie Moniz' acting turn as a housekeeper in the recent hit movie, 'Love Actually,' is strictly against type, says the Eden Prairie family who knows.

"'My husband and I think it's ironic that she plays a cleaning lady,' said Margaret Borg, whose family hosted Moniz  in 1993 and 1994 when she was a foreign exchange student at Eden Prairie High School.

"'When she lived with us, she was expected to clean her own room and bathroom,' Borg continued. 'I asked her if she had done any of this before and she answered that she hadn't, but her grandmother told her that she would have to learn this in the U.S. I can still see her holding a dishcloth daintily between her thumb and forefinger trying to wash dishes!'"

"Margaret and Michael Borg and their three children, Christina, Anders and Anna, hosted Portuguese student Ana Lucia Pereira Moniz from August 1993 to July 1994 through the AFS International Student program. The family has kept in touch with Moniz since and has been thrilled to see her drama and music successes.

"Moniz' latest triumph is as a Portuguese housekeeper to an English writer in the film, 'Love Actually.' In one of the most charming relationships in the ensemble romantic comedy, Moniz and her employer fall in love, despite neither speaking the other's language.

""We saw the movie on Sunday night and were thoroughly entertained," Borg said. "I just didn't expect to start crying when Lucia appeared."

Moniz participated in choir at Eden Prairie High School and performed in the school musical, "Kiss Me Kate."
 Fonte:Eden Prairie School