In a recent interview with the Press Association, Salma Hayek revealed that she was told that she would never make it in Hollywood because she is Mexican.
Not only was the comment racist, but also alluded that due to her age at the time (30s), her career was about to die. “They told me my career would die mid-thirties,” she told the PA news agency. “First of all, they told me a Mexican is never going to make it, because at the time, the new generations, it was impossible for a Mexican to have a leading role in Hollywood.”
The 54-year-old Academy Award nominee shares her experience because she wants women to know that life isn’t over at 30, or even 40. “I want other women to realise that, because even in your thirties you feel the pressure, in your forties you feel the pressure – and late blooming, it’s a beautiful thing,” she explained. “And we’re not ‘over’ at this time, or at another time. if you’re creative and enthusiastic and curious about life, life can be exciting forever, the entire time.”
Indeed the Mexican-Lebanese actress-producer-director is in her mid-50s, and she is currently parenting a 13-year-old daughter, promoting her upcoming rom-com with Owen Wilson, Bliss, and hitting a new milestone in her career as Marvel superhero, Ajax. “It’s like the best time in my career,” claims the Marvel’s Eternals star.
Though Marvel is notoriously secretive about their projects, Hayek says that seeing herself as Ajax made her feel “empowered.”
“I am representing,” she told Variety about her role as Ajax. It’s not because I’m putting on an outfit but we get the right to be superheroes today. I’m also 54. So there was something really moving, not just for me, but for everything, all the different stereotypes. She’s not sexy. You know what I’m saying? She’s not sexy at all. I’m very short. I’ve been bullied for being short my entire life. And suddenly, it doesn’t matter. You’re a superhero in the Marvel universe. It moved me.”