Salma Hayek: Proud To Be Mexican

Sultry siren Salma Hayek boldly declared that she is proud to be a Mexican woman after comments suggesting the contrary were taken out of context.

The 45-year-old actress issued a statement Thursday after German Vogue magazine quoted her as saying she “hardly had any memories of what it is to be Mexican,” reports NY Daily. Saying that her comments were “lost in translation,” she clarified:

“I have never denied my background or my culture,” in the statement released by publicist Cari Ross. “I have taught my child to embrace her Mexican heritage, to love my first language, Spanish, to learn about Mexican history, music, folk art, food, and even the Mexican candy I grew up with. I have always been an active part of my community. I have tried my whole life to represent my Mexican roots with honor and pride. It saddens me when my words are lost in translation and taken out of context to hurt the people of Mexico, whom I love.”

This isn’t the first time that comments made by Hayek about her Mexican heritage have drawn the media’s attention. Last year, she remarked to a reporter in Spanish, “If it wasn’t because of my high heels, I would still be in Coatzacoalcos with 10 children,” reports the Sioux City Journal.

Hayek graced the cover of German Vogue magazine and gave an interview about her upcoming film role as the leader of a Mexican drug cartel in Savages, a violent crime drama directed by Oliver Stone.