During a recent appearance on The Today Show, actress Salma Hayek candidly shared that she almost walked away from her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover shoot. Despite her initial excitement, Hayek revealed that she struggled with self-doubt and nearly declined the opportunity. She expressed concerns about swimwear sizing and body image, saying, “The bathing suits never fit me… There’s nothing my size — I always suffer.” These insecurities made her question whether she was the right fit for such a high-profile feature.
Overcoming Doubts and Wardrobe Woes, Hayek Faced Her Fears With Determination and Grace
Hayek opened up about her experience with impostor syndrome, noting that she never imagined herself on the cover of a magazine like Sports Illustrated. “My body’s not necessarily the model type,” she admitted, reflecting on the internalized standards of beauty she had grown up with. Despite being a globally recognized actress, Hayek emphasized that the pressure to meet idealized body expectations still affects her. Nevertheless, she chose to confront these feelings head-on and proceed with the shoot.
Salma Hayek Reveals Self-Doubt Nearly Derailed Her Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Cover MomentTo help ease her concerns, Sports Illustrated sent Hayek around 200 swimsuits to choose from, many of which required tailoring to fit her properly. She had fittings in Los Angeles and carefully selected the best options. However, a travel mishap complicated matters—her luggage, including the altered swimsuits, was lost en route to Mexico. Fortunately, the magazine had a few backup swimsuits on hand, although Hayek noted that not all of them fit ideally.
Magical Moment and Music Helped Hayek Embrace Confidence During Swimsuit Cover Shoot
Despite the rocky start, Hayek said her nerves quickly dissipated once the shoot began. She described a beautiful and surreal moment when a whale appeared in the ocean as she arrived on set, calling the experience “magical.” Uplifted by the setting and the music of Bad Bunny, Hayek said she began to dance and truly enjoy herself. This shift in energy helped her embrace the experience and feel confident in front of the camera.
Salma Hayek will appear on the cover of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue alongside other notable names, including gymnast Jordan Chiles and LSU athlete Olivia Dunne. The issue is set to hit newsstands on May 17. Hayek’s openness about her insecurities and the behind-the-scenes challenges of the shoot have resonated with fans, serving as a reminder that even Hollywood stars face moments of vulnerability and self-doubt.