Salma Hayek: Racism in America Is ‘the Big Elephant in the Room’

Oscar-nominated actress Salma Hayek sounded off on the “big problem” of racism in America during an interview for an upcoming film this week.

Hayek was promoting her new animated film The Prophet when the talk turned to more serious issues.

“We have a big problem, the Mexican-American actress told Entertainment Tonight. “I think that this is the big elephant in the room. Because there were many years where people were saying, ‘oh, racism is over in America.’ And ‘America is very inclusive.’ And I think in the last couple of years, more and more, we’re realizing that that is a lie and that this is a very big problem that we need to deal with.”

In another interview for the film, Hayek blasted Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump.

Hayek told E! that she refuses to “say his name” so as not to give him any “extra publicity.”

“I’m aware that he would say anything to attract attention and create the publicity around him,” Hayek said of the remarks Trump made about immigration during his presidential campaign announcement. “If something generates publicity, I would never be surprised about anything he does.”

Still, the actress conceded that Trump’s remarks illuminated a serious problem: race and discrimination in America.

“At least he brought light to a real problem,” the actress told E!

Hayek has voiced her strong opinions about racism before; in June, shortly after Trump’s campaign announcement, the actress issued a series of tweets lamenting the “hate and racism” that the country struggles with:

I am heart broken by the hate and racism this beautiful country, that stands for freedom, has still not been able to overcome.

— Salma Hayek (@salmahayek) June 23, 2015

Anyone with hate in their heart, wanting to split America, remember sacrifices men & women of every race & color make daily in armed forces.

— Salma Hayek (@salmahayek) June 23, 2015

And let's not forgot that if we are not of Native American descent, then we all came to this country from somewhere else !

— Salma Hayek (@salmahayek) June 23, 2015

Hayek was nominated for Best Actress at both the Academy Awards and the Golden Globes in 2003 for her starring role in Frida. She has also been nominated for two Emmy Awards and a BAFTA Award.