Salma Hayek Shares Story of Discrimination in Latest Interview
Salma Hayek may be one of Hollywood's most popular Latinas, but she's not immune to experiencing discrimination.
The actress shared her experience with discrimination during an interview with Huffington Post to discuss Hayek's latest film "The Prophet," which is the animated film adaptation of writer Kahlil Gibran's book.
"Of course, I've been discriminated [against]," Hayek said. "I think America has a very severe problem with discrimination that we try to overlook. It's there."
The Mexican star explained she has experienced discrimination at various points in her career. When asked to share a specific moment she discussed an event at a movie theater in Los Angeles.
Hayek explained that she and a friend went to sit down but were told that they couldn't sit there by a man sitting near by.
"I don't want to feel your presence there," the actress was told. Hayek also recalled being yelled at: "Go back to your country!"
The outspoken actress didn't stay quiet but defended herself.
"Not only do I have my citizenship, but even before it was America, this was already my country, and if you don't like it you can move," Hayek told the man
"I have a whole book that I could write about these moments, that are very memorable," she continued. "But I have to say they never really quite hurt me. I was like, 'Woah, you're dumb, my goodness you are so ignorant.' I sort of felt sorry for this person for just being so out of touch with the world, with his own humanity."
The actress was asked whether she was discriminated against because of her accent and background, reported Cosmopolitan, but she explained just being a woman was enough.
"Now imagine [I'm a] woman, Latin and Arab -- and you're asking me, 'Have I ever been discriminated?" she said.
"The Prophet," starring Hayek, Liam Neeson, John Krasinski and Quvenzhané Wallis, premieres at select theaters on Aug. 7.
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