Salma Hayek, the acclaimed actress, recently shared a personal account of the challenges she faced during the filming of a love scene in the 1995 action-packed movie Desperado.
Appearing as a guest on the popular podcast Armchair Expert hosted by Dax Shepard and Monica Padman, the Oscar-nominated star delved into the emotional turmoil she experienced while shooting a romantic sequence with her co-star Antonio Banderas, who portrayed the charismatic musician El Mariachi alongside Hayek’s character Carolina, a book-loving woman with a penchant for baring her midriff.
Hayek expressed her initial excitement at working alongside Banderas under the direction of filmmaker Robert Rodriguez.
However, she candidly revealed that the intimate love scene was not initially part of the script, catching her off guard when it was added later at the studio’s insistence after witnessing the chemistry between the lead actors during auditions.
The seasoned 54-year-old actress confessed to feeling deeply uncomfortable about the scene, leading her to insist on a closed set limited to Banderas, Rodriguez, and the director’s then-wife, producer Elizabeth Avellán.
Rodriguez himself took on the additional roles of sound technician and cameraman to ensure a respectful and supportive environment for the sensitive shoot.
Despite Banderas’ gentleness and understanding throughout the process, Hayek found herself overwhelmed with emotion, shedding tears before filming even began.
She recounted her apprehension, particularly in comparison to Banderas’ ease with the situation, which left her feeling vulnerable and exposed in a way she had never experienced before.
Reflecting on the challenging moment, Hayek admitted that she struggled to maintain her composure, clinging to a towel as a shield against her nerves.
Even attempts to lighten the mood with laughter proved insufficient to dispel her emotional distress, resulting in a fragmented filming process marked by tears and brief pauses to regain her composure.
In contrast to the more lighthearted approach taken by actors like Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio during their iconic love scene in Titanic, Hayek’s experience on the set of Desperado was fraught with tension and vulnerability, shaping the final portrayal of intimacy between her character and Banderas’ El Mariachi.
Originally considered for the role of Carolina, Columbia Pictures had envisioned casting Cameron Diaz before ultimately selecting Hayek, a decision that would propel her career to new heights and establish her as a prominent figure in Hollywood cinema.
