Kate del Castillo -- El Chapo Had a Crush on Me

Kate del Castillo reluctantly admitted El Chapo gave her access because he had a mad crush on her.

Kate chit chatted with Diane Sawyer on 20/20, first denying he was into her, then suggesting it was her soap opera persona that drew him in, but finally acknowledging her power.

She made it clear, she's pissed at Sean Penn. As we first reported, Kate says Sean double-crossed her by hijacking her meeting ... never telling her he went along for the ride to write an article.

And you think her Chapo movie project is dead? Think again.