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Review By Bel Hernandez

I love me some Red Table Talk.  It is real talk, not the “show talk, talk.”  Today Salma Hayek joined the table from London, connecting with long-time friend Jada Pinkett Smith virtually.

I have met Salma once or twice, and the one thing I knew from the very get-go is that she is a “Chingona.”  However, In her interview on The Red Table, she takes “Chingona” to the next level.

If you don’t know what a Chingona is, go and watch her latest movie, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, and you’ll get it.

But there is more to being Chingona than what you will see in the movie, and in her interview with Jada, Adrienne Banfield-Norris, and Willow Smith at the infamous red table, Salma proves that.

First off, how did Salma and Jada become such close friends?  They met when they were both screen testing for the role of Trinity in The Matrix and have been lifelong friends since then.

But aside from briefly mentioning the movie and when they met, this is not your typical celebrity interview. Instead, insight into a friendship and a closer look into who Salma is. There is also talk about family and the secret to her 12-year marriage, kids, and yes, menopause. 

Salma “goes there” and very insightfully talks about middle-aged women and their journey through menopause, at one point proclaiming “Power to middle-aged women.”  She reveals how her bustline has grown through the years, and no, it was not a boob job. It happened in stages, with the last growth spurt happening during menopause.

She is not only a successful actress, wife, and mother, she is an entrepreneur, and it seems she might also consider being a life coach as she has a knack for giving sage advice as proven in the segment where Salma takes questions from guests.  Her answers were thoughtful and empowering. 

Salma is a true trailblazer and a source of pride for the U.S Latino/a community.  Her journey from being a Mexican telenovela star to her first U.S. film role in 1993, playing a “chola” in Allison Anders’ Mi Vida Loca and then starring in her breakout film two years later role in Robert Rodriguez’s Desperado. Fast forward and Salma is now a noted producer and leading lady in some of Hollywood’s top films.  A true Chingona, a Badass.

Featured Photo and Video: Red Table Talk