The Shortlist for Oct. 2

Salma Hayek Talks Prejudice, Feminism and Trailblazing

When Salma Hayek first came to Los Angeles from Mexico, "there was no one working in Hollywood who was Mexican," she tells Stylist in a new interview. "It was like a taboo. Isn't that crazy? You could not get a job if you were Mexican." But she persevered, struggling through financial challenges ("– I was very much into Chanel at the time – but I knew I couldn't pay the rent with [designer clothes"]), fighting for equal pay ("[feminism" means being proud of being a woman, and [having] love, respect and admiration and the belief in our strong capacities"), and refusing to drop her accent just to get roles. Eventually, she says, the prevailing attitude about Latina women in film began to change. "I think I changed it," she says. "I think Jennifer [Lopez], myself and Penélope [Cruz] changed it. That generation. We had it tough. Now it's a lot easier." (Stylist)

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