Evelyn describes her mother’s brief life in New York after emigrating from Cuba and dying when Evelyn was eleven, leaving Evelyn afraid of her father and grieving in secret. Puberty brings attention she neither wants nor understands, culminating in coercive encounters with a five-and-dime cashier, Billy, which teach Evelyn a warped equation of desire, power, and obligation.

Determined to escape Hell’s Kitchen and her father, Evelyn targets Ernie Diaz, trading her virginity for a ride to Hollywood and marrying him at fifteen with forged maturity. In Los Angeles, Ernie works as a grip while Evelyn positions herself at the Formosa Cafe to be noticed; she ends up waitressing and is discovered by young producer Harry Cameron, landing a deal at Sunset Studios.

After minor roles and acting classes, Evelyn pushes for bigger parts but is blocked by studio “type” and racism tied to her surname and perceived ethnicity. When Harry says a high-profile part requires a “nice blond girl,” Evelyn engineers access to powerful executive Ari Sullivan, trading sex for influence to advance her career.

As rival Penelope Quills receives poor reviews opposite Gary DuPont, Evelyn sends the clipping to Harry and Ari, prompting new offers: a supporting role or Jo in Little Women. Choosing Jo despite the implications of playing a white heroine, she triggers the studio star machine: stylist Gwendolyn Peters bleaches her hair, a nutritionist and elocutionist reshape her body and voice, and publicists fabricate a wholesome backstory.

To honor her original initials (E.H., Evelyn Herrera), she and Harry choose the name “Evelyn Hugo.” The studio then instructs her to be seen dating male stars and has lawyer Benny Morris end her marriage to Ernie. Evelyn leaves with calculated remorse, acknowledging the cost of her choices while insisting the necessity of survival and ambition—ultimately, she is not sorry.