Ana Navarro Gives Ryan Gosling A “Cuban Test” On ‘The View’ To See What He Has “Picked Up” From His Wife Eva Mendes: “What Is A Croqueta?”

By Alex Vena

Ryan Gosling didn’t know what he was in for during his visit to The View.

The Project Hail Mary star was joined by directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller on Friday’s episode, where Gosling was seated at the center of the Hot Topics Table. Ana Navarro took a moment to highlight what she and Gosling, who is married to Eva Mendes, have “in common.”

“We’re both married to crazy Cubans, and the entire family, because when you marry a Cuban, you marry into the family,” she quipped.

Gosling teased, “You said you felt there should be a support group?”

Navarro pointed out how Lord is also Cuban, prompting the director to joke, “Yeah, you’re surrounded by crazy Cubans. I’m sorry.”

Gosling replied, “The more the merrier.”

The actor’s knowledge of Cuban culture was put on the line by Navarro, who said she “want[s] to see what [he’s] picked up all these years . ”

“So I want to give you a Cuban test,” she told Gosling, before warning Lord, “Do not help him!”

The first question Navarro posed was “what is a croqueta,” to which Gosling replied, “Oh, it’s heaven on a plate.”

“It’s a handheld, deep-fried…” he stammered.

Lord offered up, “Ham torpedo.”

Sara Haines quipped, “He didn’t say anything!”

Photo: ABC

Navarro continued, “What is picadillo?”

Gosling said, “I know this,” though he struggled to land on an answer as Lord hinted that “it’s a protein.”

“I’m in trouble! I’m freezing,” Gosling admitted.

Navarro asked, “You don’t know picadillo?”

Gosling insisted, “I know it!”

Lord helped him out, saying that it’s a dish with “chopped up ground beef, almonds, raisins, and spice.”

The next question Gosling was faced with was what his “favorite flavor of pastelito” is, as Lord told him that “there’s no wrong answer.”

“Guava,” Gosling eventually responded, earning himself a round of applause from the studio audience.

Navarro’s final question for Gosling was “what is papi rico,” which Lord admitted even “stumps” him. As Gosling attempted to defend himself, Navarro wasn’t satisfied.

“Eva Mendes needs to give me back her Cuban card because she hasn’t taught her husband anything!” she exclaimed.

However, Gosling got the chance to prove himself.

“No, we haven’t talked about mojo, we haven’t talked about yuca, we haven’t talked about Iron Beer vs. Materva,” he explained, as Navarro gave him a high five. “Plus, Eva’s mom makes the most amazing arroz con leche.”

Navarro ultimately conceded, “Okay, you just redeemed yourself. Eva gets her Cuban card back.”

The View airs on weekdays at 11/10c on ABC. Project Hail Mary is in theaters now.