Salma Hayek Speaks About Immigration, Racism

By Erika Ramirez

If we didn't already love Salma Hayek for her beauty and talent, we'd have to love her for her candor. The 44-year-old Mexican actress shared her personal immigration story in the winter issue of V Magazine's Spain edition.

"I was an illegal immigrant in the United States," she told V. "It was a small period of time, but I still did it."

According to E! Online, Salma's visa expired after she moved to Los Angeles in 1991 to study acting. Hayek's representatives told E! Online that it "was cleaned up immediately as Salma went to Mexico and renewed it." That was her second stay in the U.S. — she had attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart in New Orleans when she was young.

Hayek, who is now an American citizen, also told V that she endured racial discrimination when she first started out in Hollywood.

"It was inconceivable to American directors and producers that a Mexican woman could have a lead role," she said.

Hayek, who produces of one of our favorite shows, ABC's Ugly Betty, has since proven Hollywood wrong.

"I was privileged to be part of a small generation of people who broke through that door first," she said, referring to fellow Latino superstars Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin.

V Magazine contributor Alex Carrasco also shared a bit about meeting the feisty Latina in Paris for the interview. Hayek lost track of time, and then suddenly realized she still had to feed and put her darling daughter, Valentina, to sleep, exclaiming, "¡Dios mío, pero qué tarde es! Debería dar de cenar, bañar y acostar a Valentina."

To see what else Salma had to say, check out V Spain.

What do you think about Hayek's immigration and racism experiences? Comment below or @MTV3.

Tags Illegal Immigrant, Immigration, Salma Hayek, Salma Hayek Pinault, V Magazine Spain