Salma Hayek recently spoke out about a bizarre and uncomfortable experience she faced while filming Wild Wild West in 1999, sharing details of an unsettling encounter with director Barry Sonnenfeld. During her time playing Rita Escobar, Hayek experienced intense discomfort, not only from the revealing costumes required for the role, but also from a peculiar request made by the director throughout the months-long production. The acclaimed actress described the situation as embarrassing and even disgusting, casting a conflicted light over her involvement in the high-profile Hollywood film, which was released to mixed reviews and struggled at the box office.
The Wild Wild West was intended as a major summer blockbuster, featuring Will Smith and Kevin Kline as two secret service agents protecting the President in the American Old West, with Kenneth Branagh also appearing in the main cast. Despite the film’s comedic, action-packed tone, Salma Hayek’s behind-the-scenes experience was marked by complications that went far beyond acting challenges. While her role was praised for comedic flair and presence, Hayek privately grappled with feelings of embarrassment and exposure caused by the film’s costume requirements, admitting that stepping out of her trailer was daunting each day.
In a candid interview shared with Yahoo, Salma Hayek revealed that Barry Sonnenfeld, the film’s director, repeatedly tried to persuade her to smell his left ear throughout the production, insisting it had a distinct scent reminiscent of cheese, while claiming his other ear did not. Hayek explained,
Throughout the shoot, Sonnenfeld’s request became a running point of discomfort. Even when the interactions were couched in humor, Salma Hayek was unsettled by the insistence, stating,
Adding to her unease, Salma Hayek clarified that despite assumptions, she was never naked in Wild Wild West, but she felt more vulnerable wearing the outfit chosen for her character than if she were unclothed in a private setting. She compared the discomfort from the wardrobe to being “much more exposed and embarrassed” than any other film role, needing to push herself daily just to appear on camera.
The ramifications of Salma Hayek’s experience highlight longstanding issues of boundaries and professionalism within film environments, underlining the emotional toll that such requests and situations can take on performers. As Salma Hayek continues her career—most recently starring in Without Blood, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival—her openness about this experience may encourage more actors to speak out about their on-set challenges, potentially prompting wider industry reflection and change regarding treatment of cast members and respect for their comfort on set.
