Salma Hayek is well-known as a star who is characterized by her impressive acting skills. The Teresa star however didn’t always enjoy this fame. Talking about her struggles in the past, the Wild Wild West star gave a glimpse into her Mexican background which prevented the makers from signing her up for the roles, even if those roles were of Latina characters.
Hayek even revealed that the makers of Desperado were seriously considering Cameron Diaz for her hit role. The Dogma star added that the makers, back in the day, didn’t want to continue with Hayek for the role of Carolina allegedly because of their rigidity to sign a Latina for the main role.
The Makers Of Desperado Were Considering Cameron Diaz For Salma Hayek’s Latina Role
Salma Hayek made her breakthrough in American cinema through her impeccable performance in the 1995 film, Desperado. However, this role could have gone to Cameron Diaz because the makers were reluctant to cast a Latino in the prominent role. The House of Gucci actor shared that the makers of the film wanted to give her hit Latina role to Diaz and justified this decision by stating that the last name of The Mask star resembled the Mexican background.
“I remember Cameron Diaz was huge at the time and her last name was Diaz, so they said she can be Mexican. She was part of the list, and I had to audition again… We have to see both. Maybe for me, because I had it so hard. Maybe because they didn’t know the difference. I’m telling you, the studio wanted Cameron Diaz as a Mexican.”
Salma Hayek Was Not Even Allowed To Audition Because Of Her Mexican Background
The Frida star’s struggle to grab her desirable roles was surely an excruciating one, which was full of rejections. In her quest for a Latino role in The House of Spirits, Hayek not only faced rejection but was also denied the chance to audition for the role. The Once Upon a Time in Mexico star shared that the stereotypes for the Latin actors would limit them
“Still, it was better a few years before that, when they were doing The House of the Spirits [the 1993 film adaptation of Isabel Allende’s novel that had a largely white cast]. I begged for an audition. They wouldn’t even give me an audition. I was like, ‘Just hear me read.’ And this is for a Latino role. They were not hiring Latinos for Latino roles. They were not hiring Latinos period—unless it was the maid or the prostitute. And that part was not a maid or a prostitute.”
Salma Hayek’s journey in the entertainment industry highlights the struggles of non-American actors to make their name in the Hollywood industry. The Frida star not only carved her path in the industry but also set an example for the future generation.
Source: Elle
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