Why Salma Hayek Feels Called to “Battle” Ageism and Sexism in Hollywood

Salma Hayek Pinault has entered the chat on sexist ageism in Hollywood. The 58-year-old actress recently spoke to Marie Claire about how she is doing her part in what she sees as an important fight. "[A] calling that I have is to remind everyone that women are not disposable after a certain age in any department," she said, adding, "We should battle that with all we’ve got.”

Hayek also spoke about all the positives that have come with age. “There was a time when I was the sexy girl, but thank God age came and gave me the ability to expand to other territories,” she said. “Although I’m still sexy and I embrace it.”

Hayek's comments about the often toxic narrative surrounding aging women in Hollywood come amid something of a reckoning in the industry. Over the past few years, Hollywood has begun to reconsider its treatment of middle-aged women in the industry. Films like Demi Moore's The Substance and Pamela Anderson's The Last Showgirl have not only addressed the way in which older women are often cast aside by the industry, but, ironically, they have also given their middle-aged stars something of a second chance.

Meanwhile, other middle-aged actresses have also spoken out about the stereotypes and unfair treatment that continues to pigeon-hole them.

In 2023, Jennifer Lopez told Elle, “As you get older and you have more experience, you become a richer human being, and you have more to offer." Angelina Jolie is also happy to embrace her years. "I'm 49. I do feel like an older woman now and I embrace that," she said to IndieWire last year.

Then there's Andie MacDowell, who made headlines for simply letting her hair go gray. She too wants to prove that looking old isn't a crime—in fact, it can be, as Hayek says, sexy. "But why do we have this distaste for women and the word matronly? Why can’t it be like demure?" she said to Glamour. "I’m matronly. That is what I am. Why can’t I be matronly in a gorgeous, powerful, respectful, glamorous way? Why does it always have to be about being weak in order to be beautiful: demure, soft, coquette? Why does it always have to be that? Because that’s not the male gaze. Right? And it’s not saying that I don’t want to also have moments when I’m perceived as sexy, because I do."

Like Macdowell, Hayek has been embracing her sexy side not by covering up her age, but rather by embracing it. In January, she rocked a few gorgeous streaks of gray in her hair while wearing a plunging plum-colored gown with cut-outs. And, yes, she is still proudly posting bikini thirst traps on Instagram.