Salma Hayek is opening up about an important conversation in Hollywood. The actress has been open about her experiences with sexism and ageism in the entertainment industry, as well as the discrimination she encountered, related to her ethnicity and gender, the challenges of being typecast, the struggle to be taken seriously in the industry, and the limited roles available to women, especially as they age.
The star continues to use her platform to shed light on these issues and advocate for change. Most recently, during her interview with Marie Claire, the Mexican icon said that she feels the call to be part of an important fight, that could change the industry and help new generations of stars.
"[A] calling that I have is to remind everyone that women are not disposable after a certain age in any department," she said to the publication, adding, "We should battle that with all we’ve got.”
She continued, “There was a time when I was the sexy girl, but thank God age came and gave me the ability to expand to other territories,” she said. “Although I’m still sexy and I embrace it.”
Salma has continued to challenge these outdated norms, using her platform to discuss the importance of embracing women at every stage of their lives, becoming an advocate for more representation and opportunities for women in Hollywood, while highlighting the need for more diverse voices in storytelling.
“When I was younger, I would look around and see women who were older, and I thought, ‘There’s no way I’m going to survive in this industry because they’re going to stop giving me roles.’ I’m happy I’m still here," she said to The Guardian in 2020 about her perception after the start of her career in the 90s.
She also called out the double standards in the industry in 2017 during an interview with People. “Men in Hollywood are allowed to be old and still play the romantic lead. Women are discarded. It’s unfair, but it’s the reality. I’m fighting for more roles for women over 40," the actress stated.