Salma Hayek Opens Up About Challenging Experience Filming ‘Desperado’ Love Scene

Salma Hayek recently shared a candid account of the challenging experience she faced while shooting a love scene for her breakout movie, Desperado.

During a visit to the popular Armchair Expert podcast hosted by Dax Shepard and Monica Padman, the Oscar-nominated actress delved into details about her trauma during the filming process, emphasizing that it was unrelated to the director or co-star.

Reflecting on her early days in Hollywood and landing the role of Carolina in the 1995 film Desperado, directed by Robert Rodriguez and featuring Antonio Banderas, Hayek admitted that the love scene was not initially part of the script.

The revelation came after filming had already commenced.

Hayek, who described Rodriguez as her close friend and his then-wife, producer Elizabeth Avellán, as her best friend, disclosed that she agreed to film the scene under the condition of a closed set with only the four of them present.

As filming was about to begin, Hayek found herself overwhelmed with emotions, breaking down into tears.

Expressing her fears and doubts to the others present, she struggled with the idea of performing the intimate scene.

Despite Banderas' supportive and gentlemanly demeanor, Hayek's anxieties persisted, causing her embarrassment as she grappled with her emotions.

Although Hayek praised both Rodriguez and Banderas for their support and understanding throughout the process, she reiterated the traumatic nature of the experience, vividly recalling the intense emotions she felt at the time.

The love scene in the movie involved quick cuts, a creative decision made to accommodate Hayek's emotional challenges during filming.

She explained that dissociating from herself allowed her to get through the scene, but the thought of her father and brother watching it weighed heavily on her mind, as she feared potential teasing or discomfort they might experience.

Ultimately, Hayek braved the moment and later took her father and brother to watch the film.

However, due to the intimate scene, they chose to leave during that particular sequence, returning once it had concluded.

Hayek expressed her desire for her family's pride and support, highlighting the complexities and vulnerabilities that come with performing such scenes as an actress.

For those interested in hearing the full conversation, the podcast episode featuring Salma Hayek can be accessed here.