Salma Hayek raises the bar for Latinas

Apr 17, 2007, 13:00 GMT

Salma Hayek - Hollywood, CA © Scott Alan / Photorazzi

Salma Hayek claims Latino actresses were cast as prostitutes until she and Jennifer Lopez changed Hollywood.

The Mexican-born 'Frida' star believes Latino women were only given supporting roles in films until she and Lopez pushed the boundaries.

Salma told Marie Claire magazine: "I started out in Hollywood at the same time as Jennifer Lopez.

"Before us, Latinas only had roles that were part of the backdrop, as the maid or the prostitute. We changed that."

The 40-year-old - who has just announced her pregnancy and engagement to businessman François-Henri Pinault - believes women should not feel pressured into starting a family too early.

She said: "Motherhood is not for everyone.

"It is for me, but there's no reason women should feel rushed to have a child.

"Society thinks if you don't have children, you've failed as a woman, even if you are CEO of a company.

"You've got to be beautiful, smart, skinny, tall, rich, successful at your job, married to the right guy - and have genius children. And by the way, you also have to be a nun!"

Salma is executive producer of hit US TV show 'Ugly Betty' and has just formed a film production company with MGM studios to support Latino projects.

The 'Lonely Hearts' star said: "Everybody thinks I've got a new job, but I've been trying to get shows on the air for years. The secret is never giving up."

(C) BANG Media International