This year, Robert Rodriguez’s iconic Desperado turns 30. The movie’s unique brand of stylish action and clever dialogue captivated a generation, launching the careers of both Rodriguez and Antonio Banderas. However, co-starring in Desperado was 28-year-old Salma Hayek: a Mexican-American actress who would soon take Hollywood by storm. Now, as Hayek turned 59, her legacy as one of the most influential Latina actresses in the industry remains undebatable. To celebrate her illustrious career, here are 5 reasons why Salma Hayek is a certified Hollywood Queen.
5. Her Passion Projects Keep Her in the Spotlight
Whether she’s starring in episodes of Black Mirror or taking part in fascinating projects like The Roads Not Taken and Sacrifice, Hayek stays relevant in the industry through sheer star power. She’s also an accomplished worker behind the scenes, producing shows like Ugly Betty and the TV adaptations of Like Water for Chocolate, bringing her Latin American roots to a global audience.
4. Cementing Timeless Beauty Standards
Just one look at Hayek since her Hollywood breakthrough, no matter her age, is enough to realize that she perfectly embodies the Latina beauty ideal. And she doesn’t just embrace her Caribbean roots, she cherishes them. Hayek never needed to bleach her hair or fall for the buccal fat removal trend to maintain her beauty standards.
3. She Keeps an Unmatched Red Carpet Presence
From dramatic gowns designed by Alexander McQueen to ethereal ensembles devised by Gucci, Hayek brings an otherworldly sense of class in each of her Red Carpet presentations. Even when she had to wear a Hugo Boss men’s suit at the premiere of The Birdcage in 1996, the star rocked the look and proved that authentic beauty transcends one’s choice in fashion.
2. She Doesn’t Try to Hide Her Age
At 59, Hayek proudly shares makeup-free selfies and candid photos, always with that gleaming smile that’s turned into her most valuable trademark. There’s a uniquely refreshing appeal behind the “realistic” look of the actress, especially when compared to Hollywood’s hyper-policed beauty standards that dominate younger starlets. Hayek’s fans love how she makes aging look radiant instead of intimidating, embracing the natural imperfections of age in a way that exudes confidence. She’s most definitely owning those 59 years with style.
1. Her Iconic Film Roles Still Define Her Sex Appeal
When you embody a character as alluring as Desperado’s Carolina, that image of being the ultimate beautiful femme fatale sticks with you for good. Add to that a dash of the emotional depth we saw in Frida, and what you have is the recipe for success that turned Hayek into a sex symbol for the ages. Every decade has showcased a different side of Hayek, and each one has cemented the notion that the Mexican-American actress’s beauty isn’t tied to stereotypes, relying instead on her charisma, an undeniable screen presence, and the kind of unusual magnetism that has captivated audiences for decades.
