Salma Hayek has spoken about her struggle to make it in Hollywood — and how the industry is failing older women.

Now 49 and a producer and entrepreneur as well as a film star, Hayek left Mexico to follow her acting dream in America at 25. She went on to star in Desperado and Frida, about the artist Frida Kahlo.

She said: “I came from Mexico, baby. If you’re Mexican and Arabic in the United States, it’s a long way to climb those mountains! I had a sense of purpose.

"couldn’t sit back and just complain. I had to be honest to my dream. I felt that they [casting directors in Hollywood] were wrong.