In an exclusive interview with Closer Weekly, Sophia Loren opens up about two very talented teachers who helped her learn to speak English — Frank Sinatra and Cary Grant!

The Rome-born beauty says those famous Hollywood leading men took her under their tutelage while filming the 1957 movie The Pride and the Passion. “I told them right away, ‘I don’t speak any English, please help me,’ and they did!” Sophia, 83, divulged to Closer.

sophia loren frank sinatra cary grant getty images

“They were beautiful. It was my first [American] film and I didn’t speak one word of English, so it was very difficult for me. But they were really there to help, and in a very nice way,” she confided to Closer.

For more on Sophia, pick up the latest issue of Closer Weekly, on newsstands now — and be sure to sign up for our newsletter for more exclusive news!