Salma Hayek's Hollywood debut in the 1995 film "Desperado," directed by Robert Rodríguez, was not without challenges.
As a newcomer to the American film industry, Hayek faced the pressures of making a successful transition and the added difficulty of limited English language skills. Moreover, she found herself confronted with the discomfort of filming an s-x scene, which further compounded her anxieties.
In a recent interview on the Armchair Expert podcast, Hayek revisited the topic of shooting that uneasy s-x scene with co-star Antonio Banderas. She described Banderas as an "absolute gentleman" but admitted feeling scared due to his reputation as a "very free" actor. During the scene, Hayek became overwhelmed with emotion and started crying, which deeply affected her.
Banderas, displaying his compassion and sensitivity, tried to comfort her, expressing concern for her well-being. This only added to Hayek's embarrassment, feeling that she was making him feel terrible. Despite the emotional challenges, both Banderas and Rodríguez, the film's director, supported her throughout the process. They took measures to create a safe and comfortable environment on set by closing it off to only include the director, his wife, and Banderas during the scene filming.
Although Hayek struggled with her emotions during the shoot, she acknowledged the supportive atmosphere and efforts to ease her discomfort. With time, she overcame those challenges and delivered her performance in the best possible way.
The trust and camaraderie formed during "Desperado" led to more collaborations between Hayek, Banderas, and Rodríguez. They worked together on multiple projects, such as "From Dusk Till Dawn" and "The Faculty," which solidified her position in Hollywood. Her collaborations with other renowned directors like Kevin Smith and Steven Soderbergh also expanded her opportunities, leading to her breakout role as Frida Kahlo in "Frida."
Hayek and Banderas developed a genuine friendship that has endured over the years. When Hayek bravely spoke out about her experiences of harassment by Harvey Weinstein in 2017, Banderas showed unwavering support for her, praising her integrity and honesty as a woman and a professional.
Their bond was further highlighted when Hayek presented Banderas with the Star Award at the Palm Springs International Film Festival to honor his outstanding performance in "Pain and Glory" the previous year. The respect and admiration between the two actors remain evident, making their collaboration a memorable and cherished part of their careers.
