Salma Hayek on filming 'Desperado': "One of the things I was afraid of was Antonio Banderas."

In the 2021 Armchair Expert podcast, Mexican actress and producer Salma Hayek surprised everyone with a confession about the filming of Desperado , the movie she starred in alongside Antonio Banderas in 1995. During a recent interview, the actress explained that one of the film's most delicate scenes, in which she shared a bed with her partner, caused her deep fear, especially because of the naturalness with which Banderas faced the moment.

Hayek recalled the pressure she felt while filming the intimate scene with Banderas, directed by Robert Rodriguez . "When we were about to start filming, I started crying and thought, ' I don't know if I can do this. I'm scared,'" she recounted. Despite the professional atmosphere and respect from the crew, she admitted that what worried her most was how easy everything seemed for the Spanish actor.

“One of the things I was afraid of was Antonio Banderas . He was an absolute gentleman, but he felt very free. I was scared that for him, it was like… nothing,” she added. Hayek's words reveal a little-known side of the filming of Desperado , a pivotal film in the Hollywood careers of both Latino actors. The actress acknowledged that the crew tried to make her feel comfortable , even with gestures as simple as trying to make her laugh or giving her space.

Still, the emotional toll was intense: "I wouldn't let go of the towel. I'd take it off for two seconds and start crying again ," she explained. Her fear wasn't just about the shoot itself, but about the impact the film might have on her family: "I kept thinking about my father and my brother. Will they be made fun of?" she wondered.

Despite the challenge, Hayek now sees the experience as a turning point in her career. The chemistry between the two actors grew into a lasting friendship , and that scene that so troubled her stood as a testament to an era when Spanish-speaking stars were making a strong entrance in American cinema. "It was difficult, but we overcame it," she summed up honestly.