There is always that one film, or that one TV show that launches an upcoming star’s career into the heights of the industry that they desire, and there are many great examples of this phenomenon. Among them, the name Salma Hayek comes to mind, especially when talking about the come-up from cult classic hits in the Hollywood industry.

The film in question is none other than Robert Rodriguez’s breakthrough film Desperado, which saw both critical and commercial success along with becoming a springboard for launching the careers of many Hollywood elites, including the actress. But while it may have been a memorable film for the fans and the cast members, Hayek doesn’t remember it all too fondly, especially after she was made to strip naked on camera.

Salma Hayek Had No Idea She Would Have To Shoot A Naked Intimate Scene In Desperado

Selma Hayek and Antonio Banderas in a still from Desperado

After farming success through her performances as a famous Telenovella star, Mexican actress Salma Hayek decided to move to Hollywood in search of bigger and better opportunities. And in 1995, she found that opportunity when Robert Rodriguez was scouting female leads for his cast in his upcoming film Desperado. But after she signed up for the film and was amidst the production process, an unknown development in the script was reported to her, which demanded her to shoot a full-blown naked intimate scene, something that she wasn’t prepared for.

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In a past interview, The Hitman’s Bodyguard star opened up about her breakthrough role in the Spanish Western film that also placed Antonio Banderas in front of the industry, where despite being an amazing film to work on, the thing that soured the experience for her was the abrupt emergence of the lovemaking scene between her and Banderas’ character. She recalled clarifying that she would be unable to perform a scene like this, but since she trusted director Rodriguez, she agreed to at the end, which doesn’t mean it became all well and good. She said:
“I’m crying most of the time, so they have to take little pieces, It took eight hours [to shoot] instead of an hour. I nearly got fired.”

Despite that obstacle, Hayek managed to get through the scene with sheer willpower. and as if her hard work and dedication paid off, she became a sensational star in the industry, with her career seeing new heights after the release of the film.

What Was Desparado About?

A still from Desperado

One of the films that brought many talented stars to the forefront of the industry, Desperado is the sequel to Robert Rodriguez’s 1991 feature film El Mariachi, and tells the tale of the titular protagonist, who has gone deep into the Mexican Drug Cartel underworld. Here, he has to face off against one of the cartel’s head honchos, and with the help of his friends, decides to jump into an all-out war with heavy guns blazing.

Desperado, available on Apple TV.

Source: O Magazine