At the ceremony to unveil her own star on the iconic boulevard, Hayek explained it was “healing” to be back after she was attacked by a man with a knife years ago on the same street before she was famous.
Fans and celebrities alike came out to the TCL Chinese Theatre on Friday night but it wasn’t for the typical film premiere inside the hallowed halls — instead, crowds gathered outside the building on the sidewalk to see actor Salma Hayek be awarded the 2,709th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Oscar-winning director Chloé Zhao and comedian Adam Sandler all gave warm introductions for the “Eternals” actor, celebrating her work on camera and off.
“Selma is a person of incredible talent and compassion,” Zhao said. “She is a woman who is brave enough to walk ... her own way. And never allow anyone to put her in the box.”
When Hayek took the stage, she explained that the Friday night ceremony was very “healing” for her. She told a story about how she was attacked, two years after moving from her native Mexico to the United States in the early 1990s.
Hayek said her friends had visited Los Angeles and asked to see Hollywood. While they were there, Hayek said, she ignored a “poor man who was on the floor and was very messed up” who catcalled her.
“And I kept walking and he took offense. (He) got up, took a knife out and started coming after us. Especially after me, trying to stab me,” she said.
"Nobody helped us," she added, as they ran away and into a store.
Hayek said they jumped over the counter in the store and grabbed a “stick” for protection, before being forced to wrestle the man.
