Salma Hayek's Breathtaking "Sports Illustrated" Cover: A Tale of Doubts and Triumph
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On the brink of another production halt - Actor nearly called off the production once more.
At 58, Salma Hayek Pinault (58) crossed an exhilarating milestone. She gracefully adorned one of the covers of the coveted Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated magazine, alongside a quartet of other stunning women. In her youth, she would eagerly await the Swimsuit Issue, pondering who would claim the cover this year. Securing a spot on the cover would have seemed inconceivable back then, she confessed in an interview about her swimsuit cover, "I remember when I was younger, I would always get excited when I saw the Swimsuit Issue. I would wonder, 'Who will be on the cover this year?' I never saw myself as a model back then, so I never thought I would one day be on that cover."
If someone had dared to predict her cover appearance when she was younger, she would have surely thought them loony, Hayek Pinault confessed in an interview with the magazine at the opulent Cuixmala resort in her Mexican homeland. The behind-the-scenes shoot was spearheaded by Colombian photographer Ruven Afanador (65). Hayek Pinault expressed her excitement that the world had transformed, and it's now trendy and socially acceptable for a magazine like "Sports Illustrated" to prominently feature women over 50 who radiate sex appeal, liberation, and self-assuredness.
Hayek's Impostor Syndrome and Body Concerns
Hayek graced the U.S.'s "Today Show" to display her cover and recount her experiences prior to and during the photoshoot. When Sports Illustrated contacted her, an impostor syndrome moment swept over her, as her daughter would put it, Hayek disclosed. Even after agreeing to participate, doubts crept in, and she pondered backing out at the final moment, fretting the swimsuits wouldn't fit her comfortably. To put her mind at ease, Sports Illustrated delivered a sea of 200 swimsuits for Hayek to try on in Los Angeles. In the end, she sampled about 100 swimsuits, with many requiring adjustments. "Many of them needed alterations," she recalled. In a twist of fate, her suitcase containing the selected outfits and essentials became MIA. Fortunately, the on-site team had spare swimsuits to ensure the show must go on. Nevertheless, Hayek felt slightly insecure on set due to this unexpected turn of events.
The Enchanting Moment that Changed Everything
However, fate had an enchanting interlude in store: During one of the earliest beach shots, a whale suddenly appeared behind Hayek. "And suddenly, I felt: This is magical. This is my land. I'm 58 and I'm doing this! My generation, especially Mexican women, thought we'd be overlooked by 35, you know? I was so ecstatic. I felt so liberated, I put on Bad Bunny and started dancing."
Hayek Pinault shares the 2025 cover with four other women: Olympic gymnast Jordan Chiles (24), TikToker and gymnast Olivia Dunne (22), plus-size model Lauren Chan, and Hayek, who stands as a powerful symbol of beauty transcending age limitations.
Tidbits:Salma Hayek's journey with Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue took an unexpected turn in several ways:
- Initial Uncertainty: Hayek initially harbored doubts about her participation in the photoshoot, battling imposter syndrome and questioning whether she fit the usual modeling counterparts[3][5].
- Overcoming Challenges: Despite her uncertainty, Hayek faced several challenges, including trying on more than 100 swimsuits, many of which required alterations. Additionally, a luggage mishap forced her to rely on the on-site team's resources during the shoot[5].
- Empowering Outcome: Despite her initial hesitations, Hayek's appearance on the cover represented defiance of societal expectations, particularly in relation to women over 50. Her self-assuredness and charm challenged conventional notions of beauty[5].
The sighting of a whale during the photoshoot transformed Hayek's feelings about the experience. The seemingly serendipitous occurrence of a whale breaching in the backdrop resonated with Hayek, connecting her to the environment and her roots, labeling the experience as "magical"[5]. This heartwarming encounter appeared to assuage her initial doubts, helping her to embrace the experience wholeheartedly[5].
- Salma Hayek's cover appearance in the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue not only showcases her as a symbol of beauty transcending age limitations but also delves deep into her struggles with impostor syndrome and body concerns.
- With the inspiring incident of a whale appearing during the photoshoot, Hayek found a magical connection to her land, celebrating her 58 years old and defying conventional expectations of women over 50 in the entertainment industry, solidifying her place in women's empowerment in movies, TV, and celebrity circles.
