Salma Hayek is no doubt popular for her roles in Hollywood movies. The actress is a phenomenon in comedies, drama, and action genres. But it is quite harsh to know that this legendary actress is not spared from racial discrimination in the workspace. Salma Hayek recently shared her stories on discrimination in Hollywood.
Hayek was Discriminated for Being Mexican
In a recent interview with Variety, the 54-year-old actress claimed that she was being discriminated for her origin. The actress lost 2 major comedy roles for being Mexican. Hayek told: “Afterwards the directors told me that I was the best audition and that I was the better than who they cast and that they regretted it.” She also added that because of the studios the maker’s hands were bound: “But at the time, they knew the studios wouldn’t have gone for a Mexican as the lead.”
Hayek is an Oscar nominee and well known in her native state. It was never easy for the actress to enter in Hollywood. However she contributed in bringing talent to the industry too. Hayek continued: “In my case, I was already a very big star in my country. I was bringing the Latino market into the theaters. I know some of the studios knew that. But they didn’t want to accept the value of the Latino market at the time.”
The Gender Discrimination
Not only the racial discrimination, but Hayek also spoke about the reality on gender discrimination in Hollywood. This drawback still lives in the industry. Hayek said: “If you are a woman and you are in a movie that is very successful and they say you are their favorite character, they will still give all the credits of the box office to the guy. They don’t count who you are bringing into the theaters.”
Hayek also shared her views on what is like to be an action heroine with a different cultural background in this industry. According to Hayek: “It’s kind of hard to be an action hero if you’re Mexican. It’s really hard to be an action hero if you’re a Mexican and a woman. But to be an action hero, being Mexican, a woman and my age, it felt like they were (MCU) punking me.”
Hayek Continues to Rising
Apart from all of these the actress still continues to shine and rise. Hayek currently has 2 big roles in her. First her spin-off sequel of ‘The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard’, Hayek is the lead in this film, alongside Ryan Reynolds and Samuel. L Jackson. Second film her biggest breakthrough in MCU. Hayek is a major part of the upcoming Marvel movie ‘Eternals’.
The Eternals is an MCU phase 4 film. Angelina Jolie, Kumail Nanjiani, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan will be in the movie too. While talking about her experience in the superhero genre Hayek told: “It never crossed my mind to be in a Marvel Movie…All of a sudden, I got a call: “They want to talk to you about a new franchise”…. I said ‘OK’. But they don’t tell you any information until you’re on the call.”
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