Salma Hayek Details Harvey Weinstein’s Criticism During ‘Frida’ Filming

Salma Hayek recently shared with The Guardian the challenges she faced while working on the movie “Frida,” which she produced and starred in, back in 2002.

In an interview with Hadley Freeman, Hayek revealed that Harvey Weinstein, the renowned Hollywood producer, would often berate her about her appearance in the film.

Specifically, he expressed displeasure with the mustache and monobrow she sported for her role, criticizing her for looking “ugly.”

Hayek recounted how Weinstein would angrily question her choice of the distinctive facial features for the character of Frida Kahlo, stating, “I didn't hire you to look ugly!”

In response, she pointed out the irony, questioning if Weinstein had ever seen a picture of the real Frida Kahlo.

She drew a parallel by mentioning that if a man portrayed Cyrano de Bergerac, his prosthetic nose wouldn't be a subject of criticism.

Having been one of the brave women to come forward in 2017 amidst the wave of accusations against Weinstein, Hayek disclosed instances of abuse and s–ual harassment she endured from the producer.

She penned an opinion piece in The New York Times detailing the challenges she faced during the making of “Frida,” including inappropriate demands, threats, and unwarranted sexualization of the film.

Reflecting on her past encounters with Weinstein, Hayek acknowledged a level of normalization of his behavior as a coping mechanism.

Despite feeling shaken and affected by the situations, she found a somewhat surreal aspect to the experiences.

When questioned about her resilience in not being physically assaulted by Weinstein, she attributed her strength to her assertiveness and refusal to appear weak in his presence.

In a recent development, Quentin Tarantino, a prominent figure in the industry, admitted on “The Joe Rogan Experience” that he was aware of certain allegations against Weinstein and expressed regret for not addressing them directly.

Tarantino lamented not intervening earlier, acknowledging his awareness of Weinstein's inappropriate conduct towards women within the industry.

Hayek emphasized that Weinstein's actions were indicative of a broader issue within the system and that he was not the sole individual seeking validation through manipulation of women.

Despite the injustices she faced, Hayek conveyed a message of forgiveness and belief in people's capacity for change.

She underscored her reluctance to shame individuals, instead focusing on halting such misconduct altogether.

Notably, Weinstein received a significant legal penalty last year, being sentenced to 23 years in prison following convictions for criminal s–ual acts and rape.

Subsequently, he faced additional charges in Los Angeles related to s–ual assaults against multiple women, marking a continued reckoning for his reprehensible actions.