Being a person of color in an industry that is otherwise dominated by white people can be difficult. Salma Hayek understands this firsthand. Having been in the Hollywood industry for so long, the actress has experienced both the pros and cons of what it is to be a woman of color in a fast-paced world.
She is now one of the biggest actresses in the industry and has done some of the most iconic roles. She has worked with stars just as big as her and directors who are renowned throughout the world. Hayek has stood her ground no matter what. She has heard a lot of things that no one should ever encounter and yet she was adamant about making it as an actress.
Salma Hayek Was Not Given An Opportunity To Rise
When Salma Hayek was starting off as an actress, she had to go through a lot. Although now there might barely be anyone who does not know her name, earlier that was not the case. She was told that she could not make it in the industry because of her ethnicity and her color as well as her accent. When she heard all of that, she could not fathom as to how a reputable person could say something so demeaning.
‘”You know what, you were born on the wrong side of the border. Had you been born in the right side of the border, probably you would have been the biggest star in the world.'”
Despite it all, she stood her ground and did not let these comments push her down. She was brave and determined about making it in an industry that could not understand just how talented the actress really is. She was told that no amount of beauty or skill could surpass how thick her accent really is; she would always be limited to her accent and how she talks.
Salma Hayek Thanked Robert Rodriguez For Giving Her A Chance
Salma Hayek looked back at her time on the set of Desperado, where she got to work with Antonio Banderas and Robert Rodriguez. The movie became a turning point in her career because of how it impacted her reputation as an actress. She was grateful for the director to give her an opportunity to shine outside of what Hollywood was trying to typecast her into.
“I was just so lucky that I got that opportunity, that shot; and I couldn’t believe myself.”
She focused on the fact that she was told all her life that she would always be limited to being cast as a s*x worker or a wife or a mistress; even just a maid. She had a huge impact on breaking such stereotypes for Latino actors and actresses.
Source: The Drew Barrymore Show
