Salma Hayek Says Her Olympic Dreams Were Destroyed By Her Father

Post her big breakthrough in indie flick "Desperado," popular actress Salma Hayek has risen to become a fan's favorite. Her role in the movie placed her on the map and strengthened her fledgling feet in the movie industry.

Since then, the beautiful Latino has not slacked in dishing out sterling performances that impressed both viewers and critics alike. Some of her top-rated films include "Grown Ups," "Puss in Boots," "Frida," "The Hitman's Bodyguard," "Like a Boss," and "Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard."

Indeed, she has come a long way from the stereotypical Latino roles of portraying a nurse or maid to starring in blockbusters and winning awards. However, fans might be shocked to know that acting was not Hayek's initial career choice despite how much she has excellently captured her various roles.

In an alternate universe, fans might only know her as a gymnast rather than her current life as an actor. Read on to find out more about what happened.

While growing up, becoming a gymnast was Hayek's childhood dream. The future film star practiced fervently to hone her acrobatic skills without the aid of a mentor. "I fell in love with the sport, but there were no classes, nobody else was doing it, and I was teaching myself," Hayek revealed on "Live With Kelly and Ryan" in 2017.

When Hayek finally got into a proper gymnasium, by sheer talent and dedication, she got noticed by scouts and got drafted into her country's Olympics team. Sadly, her sporting career was ended by her father even before it began.

"I was there two months and I was so focused and so good," she said. "At that age, I got drafted for the Olympic team. However, that would mean that I would have to be in a boarding school, six hours a day of gymnastics and they do the studies. And I would have to be away from my family because it's in Mexico City, and my father said no."

"My Olympic dream died there," the actress added.

After her Olympic dreams got thwarted by her father, Hayek grew resentment for him. In the end, she adjusted and was happy about how things turned out.

"I resented my father [For a while]," she admitted in the past. "He said, 'I didn't want you not to have a childhood. Now, I'm so glad I didn't take that road because I really like my life."

In hindsight, the "Frida" star's latter choice seems to have paid off more. Although she will never climb the winner's podium as an Olympian, she has mirrored this feat by winning several awards in the entertainment industry.

More so, her wealth has soared into its millions, dividends of all her movie and endorsements contracts. It is safe to assume that the massive rewards from this have served as a salve for Hayek.

Behind Hayek's success are years of grind, filled with lows. Against all odds, she proved to detractors that she could cut it in Hollywood despite the stereotypes that came with her Mexican heritage.

"I think it's great; I'm proud of it," she said of her success to Daily Mail. "I want to shout it to the world because I was told so many times it couldn't happen, and I almost believed them. But I fought it. I fought and won."

Detractors aside, she reportedly faced sexual harassment from convicted former American film producer Harvey Weinstein. In an exclusive interview with New York Times, she divulged the harrowing ordeal:

"The range of his persuasion tactics went from sweet-talking me to that one time when, in an attack of fury, he said the terrifying words, I will kill you, don't think I can't."

Nevertheless, she revealed she detached herself from the bad memories as she wants good vibes only.

As per reports, Hayek had just given birth to her daughter Valentina Paloma and wanted to call it quits on her career but got convinced by her French billionaire husband Francois-Henri Pinault not to make the decision.

"I said, 'I don't think I want to work anymore,'" Hayek recalled in a chat with Allure.

"And it was Francois who said, 'Oh, no, you're going back to work.' And I said, 'I don't want to.' 'Well, you have to. We're not putting up with some lazy girl in the house. That's not who I married.'"

She also reflected on his persuasive words that compelled her to return to acting scenes. "I don't want to be deprived of your work," he said at that time. "I want to watch it, too. And the world has not seen the best of you yet."

She added: "So he sort of really pushed me, like, 'Get up on your feet and get out there.' And he was right."