Salma Hayek Said The Monkey In ‘Frida’ Attacked Her And Left Her Severely Injured

We adore Salma Hayek. We love her so much. We wish a million Salma Hayek’s were working in Hollywood, representing the Latino community. Just imagine what that would look like! Talented, smart, opinionated, hilarious, feisty, and beautiful (inside and out) Latinas working in film and TV, being seen on the red carpet and showing the world what they are made of. It would be something for sure. How did we ever survive without her? That’s the real question. 

In a brief 11-minute video, Salma Hayek discussed her fashion choices from the past, but through that also shared some remarkable stories since she first launched her career in Hollywood back in 1996.

Hayek, who is now a Hollywood veteran and also starring in the new film “Like A Boss,” opened up a book of fashion from her past. The video, presented by Vogue, showed the actress from the moment she stepped on the scene in Robert Rodriguez’s “Desperado.” There was no way anyone could deny Hayek’s beauty, which meant she made a splash on the red carpet. 

What is so fascinating about hearing Hayek speak about her fashion choices is that she was very determined to express what she wanted and not follow the advice of others, even if she wasn’t being taken seriously just yet. That, of course, changed quickly because Hayek wasn’t your average Hollywood beauty. Hayek had a lot to say and a lot to show whether you liked it or not. 

One of the most shocking (and entertaining) parts of the video is when Hayek explains a monkey that was in the Frida movie attacked her viciously. 

Hayek recalled the incident while looking at a picture of her first Vogue photoshoot in 2002. Hayek’s portrait was emulating her Frida role and was pictured alongside a monkey that was in the film. It’s widely known that Frida Kahlo had a pet monkey, which she captured in paintings often. 

“I was very proud to be part of Vogue for the first time in my life,” Hayek said. “This monkey, who was named Tyson, actually attacked me during the filming of Frida, and I was really severely injured.” 

Hayek doesn’t explain how she was injured or what the monkey did precisely, but it could have attacked her precious face.

“But I was brave enough to let him come back and work again in the movie, and then I still did a photoshoot with him for Vogue afterward.” Hayek said jokingly, “I was really hoping he wouldn’t go for my face.”

The monkey in the photoshoot looks pretty shocked as well. He probably couldn’t believe that he was still able to work and not just sent back to the zoo. 

Some other gems from the video included Hayek going on and on about how she set fashion trends. For example, she was the original Ariana Grande. 

Hayek attended the MTV Movie Awards in 1996 and was nominated for Best Kiss. Hayek discussed her late ’90s fashion sense, which included a dark lipstick and tight black dress, but the real highlight for her was the ponytail. 

“I really like the hair,” Hayek said. “I was channeling Ariana Grande before Ariana Grande was born.” Just for reference, Ariana Grande was around 3-years-old at the time of Hayek’s high ponytail. 

Hayek also launched the tiara headdress look, which was previously intended for royalty or pageant queens only.

The actress said back in the early ’90s when she was a relative nobody, she wanted to spruce up her look by wearing a tiara. Hayek noted that in the beginning stages of her career, no one wanted to dress a Mexican who probably wouldn’t last in Hollywood. So, to make a grander red carpet entrance, Hayek paired up her dress with a tiara even though her entire team told her not to. Hayek said she was proud of herself for sticking with her gut and taking a fashion risk. 

She said soon after she wore the tiara, Hollywood actresses started wearing crowns too. And she never got credit for being the first to do it. Hayek added that decorating one’s head is just as crucial as wearing jewelry and makeup. She said wearing a headdress became a custom of hers and was probably inspired by Frida’s famous crown of flowers. She said she aims to adorn her head as much as possible. 

Salma, we speak for the entire world when we say, you can wear whatever you want for the rest of your life. We will always love you. 

READ: Salma Hayek’s 29 Boldest Looks