Why Salma Hayek Tried Backing Out of Iconic SI Cover

Salma Hayek is reflecting on a profession resolution she needs she had reconsidered. The acclaimed actress lately revealed her remorse over posing for the 2025 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cowl.

In a candid interview, Hayek revealed that she initially tried to again out of the photoshoot, citing considerations about her physique sort.

Regardless of these reservations, she embraced the chance, marking a big second of empowerment for herself and girls of all ages.

Whereas many would think about touchdown a Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit cowl an achievement, Hayek confessed that the expertise left her feeling conflicted.

Chatting with co-anchors Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin on the “Today” show, the actress admitted that she initially needed to stop.

“I mentioned sure after which when it was time to do it, I attempted to again out. I mentioned, ‘No,’ as a result of the washing fits by no means match me, how am I gonna do that? There’s nothing my dimension — I all the time endure,” she recalled per PEOPLE Magazine.

The Hollywood star defined that the battle was attributable to a nasty case of impostor syndrome.

Rising up, Hayek mentioned she would have a look at the journal and admire the beautiful fashions on the quilt.

Nevertheless, regardless of being “younger and scorching,” she by no means believed it might be her, as she seemed nothing like them.

“My physique’s not essentially the mannequin sort and I by no means thought that was a risk. And for it to occur once I’m 58? It is actually surprising,” the “Grown Ups” star mentioned.

Fortunately, Sports activities Illustrated understood Hayek’s plight and despatched her 200 bathing fits to assist her mentally put together for the massive second. “I attempted greater than 100. Plenty of them wanted to be altered,” she mentioned.

The swimsuits had been then despatched to Los Angeles, the place they had been correctly tailor-made to Hayek’s style.

Every little thing appeared to be going properly, however someway, the bags crammed with the washing fits and her “lotions, all cures to look good and masks every thing, all my drugs,” went lacking on the flight to Mexico.

Salma Hayek was caught carrying additional swimsuits that had been made obtainable, lots of which she revealed didn’t match completely.

Consequently, the movie producer’s confidence took a dive. “I used to be actually not assured and really nervous. I confirmed up feeling ‘What am I doing right here?’” she recalled.

Nevertheless, all it took to place Hayek comfy and get her excited was a seemingly good omen, a whale leaping out behind her as quickly as she stepped onto the seashore.

“And unexpectedly I felt, ‘That is magical. That is my land. I am 58, I am doing this. My technology, particularly Mexican ladies, we thought we had been going to be dismissed at 35. And I acquired so excited, I felt actually free. I placed on Unhealthy Bunny, I began dancing, I cherished it!’” she shared.

One of many Sports activities Illustrated Swimsuit 2025 cowl photographs shared on Instagram on Tuesday featured Salma Hayek hanging a strong pose in a pool.

She positioned her fingers on her head, pushing again her moist hair, whereas gazing confidently into the digital camera with a fierce but swish expression.

A press release turquoise pendant rested on her chest, drawing consideration to her neckline. The water round her mirrored delicate blue and white tones, making a visually gorgeous, nearly surreal backdrop.

“She has a artistic hearth that lights up every thing she touches. Her ardour for all times, for storytelling, for humanity is uncommon. It’s actual,” a part of the caption learn.