Salma Hayek Reveals Harvey Weinstein’s Threat to “Break My Kneecaps”

In a candid conversation with Oprah Winfrey at the Apollo theater in New York, Salma Hayek Pinault disclosed that Harvey Weinstein had threatened to break her kneecaps as a result of her refusal to succumb to his advances.

Hayek Pinault recounted her encounters with Weinstein during the production of her 2002 film Frida, which centered on the life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

She revealed that Weinstein had directed an intimidating message towards the film's director, Julie Taymor, stating, “I am going to break the kneecaps of that ‘C-word.'”

The actress had previously shared the turmoil she experienced during the making of Frida in an article for the New York Times in 2017.

In the piece, she detailed Weinstein's threats to kill her, his demand for a n^de s** scene with a female co-star, and his initial reluctance to release the film in theaters, all of which she attributed to her rejection of his s**ual propositions.

Weinstein, who denied these allegations, claimed he had no recollection of pressuring Hayek Pinault to engage in a gratuitous s** scene with a female co-star, asserting that he was not present during filming.

During her conversation with Winfrey, Hayek Pinault explained why she did not participate in the Times' initial report on Weinstein and instead published her essay two months later.

She admitted feeling a sense of shame for not speaking out sooner, lamenting, “When the information about Harvey came out, I was ashamed I didn't say anything.

But I felt like my pain was so small compared to all the other stories.”

The Guardian has reached out to Weinstein for comment.

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