Despite the passage of over two decades since the release of the film "Desperado," renowned actress and producer Salma Hayek still finds herself cringing at the memory of the intimate scene from the 1995 production.
Within this cinematic creation, Hayek portrays the character Carolina, a young woman running a quaint bookstore café in a town seemingly devoid of literary enthusiasts. Her co-star, Antonio Banderas, assumes the role of El Mariachi, a vengeful musician who ingeniously conceals firearms within his guitar case.
In an engaging conversation with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman on the "Armchair Expert" podcast, Hayek recollects that the inclusion of the s*x scene – a significant milestone in her English-speaking career – wasn't initially part of the script's framework.
"The studio insisted upon its inclusion upon observing our on-screen chemistry," she revealed during the episode, which aired on a Monday. "Adapting to this demand was truly challenging for me."
Hayek, who had chosen to embark on a Hollywood journey, faced the ridicule of the media within her home country. This decision contrasted with her already established stardom in Mexico, where she held the lead role in the soap opera "Teresa." In the United States, however, she remained relatively unknown.
Subsequently, when Robert Rodriguez, the writer, producer, and director of "Desperado," extended an offer, Hayek's elation knew no bounds.
"I was brimming with excitement at the prospect of securing a job," Hayek reminisced. "This was an era when casting a Mexican in a prominent role was almost deemed unlawful."
Despite her enthusiasm, Hayek grappled with apprehension concerning the impending s*x scene.
In an effort to alleviate her unease, Rodriguez and his then-wife, Elizabeth Avellán, who co-produced the film, orchestrated a closed set. This exclusive environment included only Hayek, Banderas, and the two producers, as they embarked on the challenging filming process. Hayek's emotional turmoil resulted in intermittent pauses throughout the shoot due to her tearful disposition.
Hayek praised Banderas as "exceedingly kind and a complete gentleman." Avellán evolved into her closest confidante, while Rodriguez provided guidance throughout the delicate scene.
"However, thoughts of my father and brother continued to haunt me," Hayek confessed. "Would they witness this? Would they become targets of jest?"
During the film's screening, Hayek led her family out of the theater for the duration of the sensitive scene.
"It's not that my father is domineering," she clarified, "but I yearned for his unwavering pride."
Shepard posed a poignant query to Hayek, inquiring whether she could genuinely appreciate that scene.
In the subsequent years, Hayek's portrayal in "Frida" (2002) earned her an esteemed nomination for an Academy Award. This film, in which she also served as a producer, marked a significant milestone.
In a 2017 op-ed for the New York Times, Hayek revealed that the former film producer and convicted s*x offender, Harvey Weinstein, sought to halt the production of "Frida" unless she acquiesced to including a full-frontal n*de scene. Weinstein rebutted these allegations, asserting that her portrayal was inaccurate.
When probed about the role of s*x appeal within her career, Hayek conveyed to the podcast hosts: "In the initial stages of my journey, I embraced it as a shield, a protective tool."
She appended, "I now revel in my authentic self. However, at the outset, the realization that my attributes were perceived solely in this light was undeniably disappointing."
In her most recent venture, Hayek stars opposite Owen Wilson in the sci-fi drama "Bliss."
