Laura Harring (born Laura Elena Herring MartÃnez on March 3, 1964) is a Mexican-born American actress. In 1985, Harring became the first Latina woman crowned Miss USA. She later began her acting career in television and film. She is best known for her role as Rita in the 2001 cult neo-noir film Mulholland Drive. She is also known for her roles in other films, including The Forbidden Dance (1990), John Q (2002), Willard (2003), The Punisher (2004), The King (2005), and Love in the Time of Cholera (2007).