HispanicEssay16WYB

Mia Wybel

Hispanics and Latinos have made a big impact on not only the United States, but the rest of the world. They have made themselves role models for other Latinos and Hispanics, they have shown that they are worthy, and they also show that they can tackle anything that comes their way. I will be talking about a Hispanic actor named Salma Hayek who has changed how Hispanics and Latinos are portrayed in the movie and television business.

Salma Hayek was born September 2, 1966 in Coatzacoalcos, Veracruz, Mexico (Salma Hayek Biography.com). She is an actress, former model, and a producer (Wikpedia). Salma Hayek is dyslexic and has combined type ADHD (Salma Hayek IMDB). She left a blooming career in her native country Mexico to conquer Hollywood, and has become perhaps the best-known Mexican-American performer since Dolores Del Rio (Salma Hayek Fact Monster). She has a spouse and his name is Francois-Henri Pinault and they have been married since February 14 2009 (Salma Hayek IMDB). She has a daughter named Valentina Paloma which means “lotus flower” (Salma Hayek IMDB). Her career started when she saw Willy Wonka and The Chocolate Factory at a local theatre and she decided from there on she wanted to be an actress (Salma Hayek IMDB).

The 24 year old actress (at the time) approached Hollywood with naïve enthusiasm, excitement, and confidence, and quickly learned that Latin actresses were, if at all, typecast as the mistress maid or local prostitute (Salma Hayek IMDB). Feeling under-appreciated by Anglo filmmakers, Salma Hayek vented her frustrations and torubles on comedian Paul Rodriguez's late-night Spanish-language talk show in 1992. Robert Rodriguez and his producer wife Elizabeth Avellan happened to be watching that night and were immediately smitten with the intelligent, opinionated young woman. He soon gave her the big break she has wanted since she was little. She starred with Antonio Banderas in the cult classic Desperado (1995) which put her on Hollywood's map (Salma Hayek IMDB).

After her big break in Desperado, she got casted onto many movies like Grown Ups, From Dusk Till Dawn, and many more (Salma Hayek IMDB). The new millennium started out quietly but great around Salma Hayek as she was preparing to produce and star in her dream role, which was the role of Frida Kahlo, the legendary Mexican painter whom Salma Hayek had been admiring and inspired by during her entire life and whose story she wanted to bring to the big screen ever since her (Salma Hayek) arrival in Hollywood. The opportunity finally happened in 2002. Frida (2002), which was co-produced by Salma Hayek, was a beautifully made film overflowing with passion and enthusiasm, with terrific performances from Salma Hayek “Frida Kahlo” and Alfred Molina as Kahlo's cheating husband "Diego Rivera" (Salma Hayek IMDB). The inspiring movie was a hit and was nominated for six Oscars, including best actress for Salma Hayek, who became the first Latin American actress to be nominated in this specific category, and she won the multiple awards for make-up and so did its very own brilliant original score by Elliott Goldenthal (Salma Hayek IMDB). Salma Hayek also owns her own production company called Ventanarosa (Salma Hayek IMDB).

Salma Hayek is a great example for young Latino and Hispanic people if they want to get into the acting industry, or any industry perhaps. Salma Hayek has made it known that Latinos and Hispanics are not just house maids or a hitch hiker. Salma Hayek ruled that stereotype out by becoming successful and being sophisticated and Salma knew what she was doing. Yes, Salma Hayek might have gotten kicked out of school in Mexico but she finished up her studies in the United States of America and became more successful than other actors and actresses. Salma Hayek ended up having a great life in the United States of America and has set a good platform on her career. Salma Hayek has a plan, and it positively shows. Salma Hayek’s main plan is that she really wants to be a role model, not just for her daughter Valentina Paloma, but for other girls wanting to pursue and learn more about acting. Salma Hayek shows that following your dreams can take you to many places in the future. It could help your future endeavors and interests. Just stick to what you want to do and you will be fine is some great advice from a leader like Salma Hayek. If you honestly just follow your heart, you could do some amazing things like Salma Hayek did. Rule out stereotypes, be a role model, and proving that anyone can do anything as long as they have the power and they believe they can do it.

//Works Cited: //

"Salma Hayek." //Bio.com //. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 05 May 2016..[] This is a good resource to get information form because the website is run by professionals who know a ton of things about the celebrities

"Salma Hayek." //Wikipedia //. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 05 May 2016. [] This is a good source for information because it can be edited by anyone who knows the information on the page is incorrect.

"Salma Hayek." //IMDb //. IMDb.com, n.d. Web. 05 May 2016. [] This is a wonderful website to look up information because the website itself is a big resume for actors and actresses

"Salma Hayek." //Salma Hayek //. Fact Monster, n.d. Web. 05 May 2016. [] <span style="font-family: Times New Roman,serif;">This is a good source for information for children because it explains it in an easier way and is accurate.