Salma Hayek plays Ajak, a wise and powerful healer, in Marvel’s Eternals, but she has super abilities offscreen too. “My real-life superpower has been sisterhood,” the Oscar-nominated actress said in a speech, read by Demi Moore, at the ELLE Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles on Tuesday night.
While Hayek and her fellow Eternals stars Angelina Jolie, Lauren Ridloff, and Gemma Chan missed the ceremony as a safety precaution following a possible COVID-19 exposure, her good friend and fellow actress Moore read her inspiring words about unity and support among women, especially in the film industry, to the crowd.
“I come from a generation of women that had to create a united army of true warriors to break through an industry that systematically underestimated us,” Hayek wrote. “We had to have each other’s back.” But facing those challenges, she said, gave her “the privilege to experience and value how powerful we are in solidarity” as women.
While introducing the Frida and Desperado star, Moore pointed out another one of Hayek’s talents. “There is no greater superpower than being exactly who you are. And you, Salma, wherever you are, indeed are a superhero,” she said.
Read Hayek’s full speech below.
“Thank you, Demi. You have always been there for me, even before you knew I existed. Since the minute I went up to you and had the courage to tell you what an inspiration you were to my life, you’ve made me a part of your beautiful family, coached me through the art of beauty, career choices, falling in love, pregnancy, and the beauty of long-lasting friendships that defy time and geography.
My real-life superpower has been sisterhood. I come from a generation of women that had to create a united army of true warriors to break through an industry that systematically underestimated us. We had to have each other’s back. We had to draw strength from each other, and we had to be clever as a united force. But I cherish that adversity because it gave me the privilege to experience and value how powerful we are in solidarity. Tonight, I’m humbled to be honored alongside my heroes: the legendary Rita Moreno, Halle Berry, Gal Gadot, Jennifer Hudson, Jodie Comer, and my ‘Eternals’ sisters, Angelina, Gemma, and Lauren. The recognition from ELLE magazine is all the more meaningful to me because I share it with these extraordinary women. And speaking of extraordinary women, Chloe Zhao, thank you, for not only taking me under your wings, but giving me the chance to fly.”
Erica Gonzales
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more.
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