Salma Hayek’s Emotional Ordeal: Tears Shed While Filming a Love Scene

Love scenes in movies often present a challenging situation for actors.

The exposure, intimacy, and the presence of a whole crew can make it a daunting experience.

According to Grazia, Salma Hayek faced a particularly tough time while filming a love scene for the 1995 action film Desperado.

In a candid interview on the Armchair Expert podcast with Dax Shepard and Monica Padman, Hayek shared the emotional turmoil she went through during the filming of a love scene alongside her co-star Antonio Banderas in the movie.

A seasoned actress and Oscar nominee, known for her role as Frida Kahlo in the film Frida, Hayek expressed her initial excitement about working with Banderas under the direction of the talented Mexican-American filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.

Set in a rugged Mexican backdrop, Desperado revolves around El Mariachi, a gun-wielding musician played by Banderas, and his romantic interest Carolina, a bookstore owner portrayed by Salma Hayek.

However, during production, Hayek was taken aback upon discovering that she and Banderas were scheduled to film a love scene, a detail she was unaware of until later on.

This revelation left Hayek feeling uncomfortable and understandably distressed.

She mentioned that despite her reservations, the studio insisted on the scene, disregarding the challenges it posed for her.

The filming experience turned out to be far from pleasant for Hayek.

Despite efforts from Rodriguez and the crew to create a comfortable environment by limiting the set to only essential personnel, including Hayek, Banderas, Rodriguez, and Elizabeth Avellán, the producer, the emotional toll was inevitable.

Hayek recalled breaking down in tears during the shoot, overwhelmed by fear and embarrassment, while Banderas remained composed, intensifying her emotional state.

Throughout the podcast interview, she praised the support and understanding shown by Banderas and Rodriguez, highlighting their lack of pressure on her.

The final cut of the love scene reflects Hayek's struggle, as it had to be divided into separate segments due to her difficulty in maintaining character for extended periods.

Interestingly, this experience draws parallels to another significant scene in Hayek's career, the snake-dance sequence in Rodriguez's From Dusk Till Dawn.

In that instance, just like in Desperado, Hayek faced a challenge when asked to perform with a snake despite her fear of them.

With encouragement from Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino, Hayek confronted her phobia and managed to complete the scene, even going as far as researching snake symbolism to prepare herself mentally.

Hayek claimed to have been in a hypnotic state during the shoot, not recalling anything till date due to her deep trance.

The unchoreographed nature of the scene required her to feel the music and move accordingly, showcasing her professionalism and dedication to her craft.