Salma Hayek Embraces Lebanese Roots in Hollywood

The world-known actress and producer Salma Hayek has always been close connected to her Lebanese roots. Although Hayek was born in Mexico, in the family house far from her great-grandparents’ village of Baabdat in Lebanon, her father, and his parents did not let her forget that she is of Arab origin.

”I was raised and educated in some way, like all Lebanese people, who are educated to invest in Lebanon and be a brotherhood,” said Salma Hayek. Growing up she was very Arabized in terms of the food she ate to the literature she was reading. In another instance, she says in jest, “I probably had kibbeh before I had tacos”.

Due to her mixed origins of Latin and Middle Eastern origins, Salma Hayek’s identity has been influenced. But, this rather distinct background proved to be a disadvantage in Hollywood where people strictly adhered to some key benchmarks.

Salma Hayek said: “You have to understand — I am Mexican-Arab in America. Nah, it is not easy… I am not British… I am not Spanish… I am Mexican-Arab.”

Nevertheless, the Hispanic actress has made great strides in advocating for change and ethnic and women’s representation in the motion picture industry. Her animation work of “The Prophet” which she did in 2015 is one way through which she has demonstrated her commitment to her Lebanese origin.

In the film, Salma Hayek calls a love letter to her heritage and hopes that all her ancestors will be proud of her. She also flew to Lebanon with her father for the film’s screening though she had to visit her pre-historic village of Baabdat as well.

Salma Hayek, through her work and her activism, fought for the rights of women and people with Lebanese backgrounds and encouraged the acceptance and integration of people of different cultures in Hollywood.