Hayek outed the Hollywood casting process as “very sexist”, telling of her experience on one occasion when a director approached her for a role and subsequently sought confirmation of her by the male lead. “They get approval of leading ladies. The dude didn’t approve me and I got kicked out.”

The Ugly Betty star’s primary bug-bear was the continuing pay gap problem in the film industry, between men and women playing equivalent roles. Hayek challenged Hollywood to open its eyes and see female actors as the monetary force they could be. “They have to understand how powerful we are economically. We have the power to show them we can save this film industry,” she said, but even when a woman does land a leading role, “the dude takes the credit.” “It’s simple, plain ignorance.”

“They think the only value we bring to a movie is as an object. The only kind of film where women make more money than men is porno. It’s not funny.” Well, we’re not laughing, either.

The Mexican-born American was criticised last year for disassociating herself from the word “feminist” but in an interview in The Guardian this year, said: “I am a feminist because I love women and I am ready to fight for women”.

‘The only kind of film where women make more money than men is porno’ Salma Hayek calls out inequality in film