Salma Hayek's Controversial Comment Regarding Her Mexican Roots Spurs Backlash

Actress tells Germany's Vogue she "hardly had any memories of what it is to be Mexican" while making her movie Savages

Salma Hayek may be beautiful, but a recent comment regarding her heritage is being viewed by some as anything but pretty.

During an interview with Germany's Vogue, the actress was asked about her role as a ruthless Mexican drug cartel queen in the Oliver Stone movie Savages.

"I am proud to have been involved in this film with all these great actors," Hayek told the magazine (published in German). "Honestly, I hardly had any memories of what it is to be Mexican. My life is completely different now."

The remark, reports the Huffington Post, has subsequently spurred a bit of a backlash.

The site refers to the Hispanic blog, Guanabee, which wrote: "What did Salma mean by basically saying she forgot what it's like to be a Mexican woman? That she's too French and rich for our blood?" (Hayek is married to wealthy French fashion mogul François-Henri Pinault.)

However, a rep for Hayek told E! News on Wednesday that "the whole thing has been lost in translation" and "Salma is not disparaging Mexico in any way."

The rep also sent over the exact notes from Ingrid Sischy, the interviewer and writer of the article. In them, the quote in question is a bit longer and has been translated slightly differently.

"I am proud to be in this movie with all these great actors. The truth is that I almost have to try and remember what it's like to be Mexican. My life is different now. You cannot make yourself represent something. You have to be an individual, by being the best you can be."

Hayek ultimately released this statement in response to the backlash:

"I have never denied my background or my culture," she said. "I have taught my child to embrace her Mexican heritage, to love my first language, Spanish, to learn about Mexican history, music, folk art, food, and even the Mexican candy I grew up with. I have always been an active part of my community. I have tried my whole life to represent my Mexican roots with honor and pride. It saddens me when my words are lost in translation and taken out of context to hurt the people of Mexico, whom I love."