Salma Hayek has always broken boundaries with her talent, and now, she surpassed all expectations by becoming a leader and superhero in the upcoming Marvel movie, Eternals, which opens on November 5.
“Eternals” follows a group of heroes beyond the stars that Earth has protected since the beginning of time. When monstrous creatures called the Deviants mysteriously return to the world, the “Eternals” gather to defend humanity.
With Angelina Jolie, Gemma Chan, Richard Madden, Kumail Nanjiani, Lia McHugh, Brian Tyree Henry, Lauren Ridloff, and more as Hayek’s counterparts, “Eternals” is already a hit.
Hayek played the role of ” Ajak”, representing the mother figure and a leader within this group, apart from being a Mexican superhero.
“When you think about it, at 50 years old, Mexican, and I’m short with a big bust, not the normal superhero. I’m not muscular, I don’t look like that. I don’t have botox. It’s not about looking like a superhero.
[This character originally] was a man, the impossible! It’s a Marvel movie, with superheroes, I’m Mexican, I’m Lebanese, and I’m Arab too, ”Hayek emphasized in a press conference with Impacto.
Born on September 2, 1966, in Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, Hayek was inspired to become an actress after seeing the movie “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” as a child.
After his studies at the Academia del Sagrado Corazón in New Orleans, Louisiana, and the Universidad Iberoamericana in Mexico City, he knew he had to seriously pursue his artistic dreams.
“I dream big, and if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have gotten here at all. But, in my big dreams, I wanted to be a superhero, I wanted to work with the best directors in the world, to have big blockbuster movies, and also movies that are art, that is made from a very deep place with great directors. You couldn’t ask for more, ”Hayek said.
The main role of the soap opera “Teresa” started her in the industry, but it was her arrival in Hollywood that changed everything.
Hayek realized the limits that existed for Latina actresses, always pigeonholed into the roles of maids or prostitutes.
Hayek participated in projects like “Street Justice” and “The Sinbad Show” within those artistic confinements before landing his big break, coming into the spotlight, in “Desperate” with Antonio Banderas.
“[Originally], it didn’t happen for me. You fight for [success] in your 20s, 30s, and 40s, and you say, ‘They don’t get it. They missed it. I would have been great in art movies.
He would have been a great superhero, and they didn’t see him. I’m going to do something else. Hey you! Let’s have a baby! ‘” Hayek exclaimed with a laugh, with his memorable sense of humor. “And you give up,” he continued.
After his first steps in the big leagues, Hayek really began to grow, starring in films such as “Fools Rush In”, “Wild Wild West”, and, fundamentally, “Frida”, which won him awards and nominations at festivals and great events like the Academy Awards.
Hayek continued to emerge in projects such as “Once Upon a Time in Mexico “, “After the Sunset”, “Grown-Ups”, “The Hitman’s Bodyguard”, and many more, bringing together some of the most important and recognized stars of the film industry until she became one herself.
Now, Hayek is one of the best-known Latin actresses in the world who has worked in almost every genre of movies non-stop.
Hayek recently battled a near-fatal case of COVID-19 and came back stronger to work again on “House of Gucci,” “Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard,” and “Eternals,” the project that changed everything for his perspective.
“It’s so incredible when in your mid-50s, a brilliant director gives you the opportunity to do both, to do something that comes from a deep place, which is also a huge box office success. I was wrong [before]. Anything is possible, and it’s a humbling feeling, ”Hayek said.
Hayek recalled his fun and exciting experience working in the Marvel universe, even though filming was interrupted and affected by the pandemic.
“They let me do my own actions. They weren’t afraid of the insurance drama happening in the middle of it all, “he said, while the rest of the cast laughed.
Through the years, Hayek has also focused on her philanthropic efforts, raising awareness of violence against women, and discrimination against immigrants with organizations like UNICEF, among many other campaigns.
His dedication to Latino representation in the arts and the good of the world is unmatched, and Hayek has proven that there are no limits, no matter what anyone else says.
“It is just beautiful. Yesterday when I went out, I almost cried because I saw this Latino family, a mother with three girls, all dressed as Ajak. It was all so moving. Every time they put on the costume, they talk about it, they go to see the movie, they remember one thing: anything is possible, ” Hayek term.