Wonder Woman Daniela Ruah Brings Power and Poise To NCIS

Daniela Ruah, star of NCIS: Los Angeles, on passion, Portugal, and living the american dream

- John Griffiths

​​​Some big-time TV stars need therapy. As for Daniela Ruah, who plays willful, butt-kicking special agent Kensi Blye on NCIS: Los Angeles—the spinoff drama about a group of U.S. Navy investigators tracking terrorists and more in L.A.—well, she might as well hold a degree in therapy.

On a sunny Sunday, engulfed in a cloud of guilt, a certain reporter meets the lithe and naturally gorgeous actress at a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf in Hollywood for an interview—nearly 20 minutes late. “It’s OK, it’s OK,” she says, pretty sunny herself. “I mean, look where we are! We should only feel lucky.” As the excuses come, she responds with a light laugh and calming empathy. Traffic hell: “Oh, jeez. I know what you mean.” Not allowing enough time: “I lived right next to school my whole life and I was always the last one to class. You get over-comfortable!” Later, when said reporter confesses to worrying that his eyes look baggy from an ice-cream bender, Ruah assures, “I hadn’t noticed, to be honest. When I’m tired, I’m more of a dark circles girl—my eyes get sunken in and dark all-around. Must be my Moroccan heritage.” About that chocolate Häagen-Dazs? “So what? Enjoy!”