Page 106 - OCEAN BLUE - FALL WINTER 2014

THE INTERVIEW

S alma Hayek, the Mexican film
actress, director and producer,
once had aspirations of becoming
an Olympic gymnast competitor
but after watching Willy Wonka & the
Chocolate Factory as a child she knew what she
wanted to do.

She began her career starring in Teresa, the
Mexican soap opera that made her famous in
her home country. She left the show after two
years and moved to the U.S. in pursuit of her
dream. “I wanted to make movies. They weren't
making them in Mexico. I was on a ‘soap’ and
that's not where I wanted to be.”

In the U.S. she paid her dues with bit parts
until her cinematic break opposite Antonio
Banderas in 1995's gun-heavy revenge flick,
Desperado.

Hayek proclaimed a lack of quality roles for
Latinas in Hollywood but instead of fading
into stereotypical obscurity she gave it her all
and created new roles. She co-produced and
starred in Frida, which earned Hayek an Oscar
nomination for Best Actress.

As an executive producer, she helped shape the
hit television series Ugly Betty, which made
actress America Ferrera a household name and
Emmy winner.

Hayek's charitable work includes increasing
awareness on both violence against women and
discrimination against immigrants. She often
speaks on subjects that relate to women. She is
quoted as saying,

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