Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas have been in Miami promoting the animated action film 'Puss in Boots.' Part of the agenda included a request by the Mexican actress for an interview with Maria Celeste Arraras on her Telemundo show, 'Al Rojo Vivo.' Because the show had so many interviews scheduled, they had to improvise, and network producers arranged for a recorded morning interview.
However, as the production ensemble was ready to go, waiting for the actress in the studio, Hayek was a no-show, claiming she had a packed agenda that included a personal matter. Arraras was outraged and decided to share it with her audience.
We spoke exclusively to Arraras, who opens up for the first time about the incident. She also shares the reason behind Salma shafting her and Telemundo's producers. "She was at the competition [Univision's studios] jumping around 15 minutes from here. It was disrespectful," Arraras said.
AOL Latino: What actually happened with Salma Hayek, Maria Celeste?
Maria Celeste: She wanted me to interview while she was promoting her new film. It was an honor for me. We got everything ready to give her a warm welcome. She had several other commitments, but we managed to rescue the interview by scheduling a recording of the segment, which we always do live, and film it Monday morning. My production crew had to mobilize technicians and pay them extra for that special time. I also had commitments and canceled them to accommodate the situation. We arranged for make-up artists, technicians, obtained videos. We all did some work to prepare to receive her and give her the treatment a star of her stature deserves. The film studio contracted a public relations agency to help assist them. They informed us that for personal reasons, she wasn't going to make it. They sent that email late Friday night. We were already gone. The majority of our staff didn't find out and we all showed up extra early. Of course on Monday, Miami was in the midst of a deluge, and to avoid traffic I left my house at 6 in the morning. I couldn't say good bye to my kids before they left for school. When I get to the studio, I open my email to find that situation, yet we were already there.
AOL Latino: These things happen, though. Do you believe she really couldn't make it?
Maria Celeste: Yes, of course these things happen, and I understood. But to my surprise, I turn on the television, and as I'm flipping channels, I see Salma Hayek jumping and dancing on the competition's channel, whose studios are only 15 minutes from here. For me it showed a lack of respect and consideration, not just for me and my crew, but also for our audience -- as if they weren't important. These are things that people often criticize about artists, and I've always been under the impression that she was very professional, a great actress. However, all this demonstrated the contrary.
AOL Latino: Why did you decide to share Salma's shaft with the public?
Maria Celeste: These things have to be condemned because they say a lot about a person, or at least the people with whom she associates. I have to stress that at no time have we spoken to her directly about it. But the people who surround you [professionally] represent you, and at the end she is responsible. I chose to do it out of solidarity to my crew, because it did seem like a lack of respect, above all because I think that one should leave a very clear message that one has to be respected in this industry.
AOL Latino: Did you make any claim to Dreamworks about her not showing?
Maria Celeste: Everyone showed up in spite of the deluge. It was ugly because we did something really special for her to make her feel special. We made an effort to make her feel welcome. These things can happen. The worst part is that I can understand [her not being able to make it] if it's a valid reason. No one's going to judge her or speak ill of her that for whatever reason she couldn't be here, but when it's under these circumstances, it's a slap in the face and it says a lot about the person in this situation. I felt disillusioned. It was very unfortunate.
AOL Latino: Once you shared this with the public, did anyone contact you for an apology?
Maria Celeste: The person hired by [Dreamworks] sent me an email before I was supposed to go on air to tell me that she was very embarrassed by the situation, that things were out of control, and that they had confirmed and then said no. I can't say for certainn that that's how it happened and that [Salma] is a victim of her closest handlers, or that is was actually her. Whether the star makes you look good or bad is on them.
>>>HERE'S WHAT MARIA CELESTE ARRARAS HAD TO SAY ABOUT SALMA HAYEK'S FAILURE TO APPEAR ON HER TELEMUNDO SHOW, 'AL ROJO VIVO,' IN FAVOR OF APPEARING ON THE COMPETITION, UNIVISION'S MORNING SHOW, 'DESPIERTA AMERICA.' (IN SPANISH)
AOL Latino: As you said, Salma was very close by at Univision. Do you think that Univision made an ultimatum that it was either their show or yours?
Maria Celeste: That happens often. I think it's an unfortunate practice because one thing is to compete, and another is to compete unfairly. The most important thing here is that I did what I was supposed to. We received an apology and a basket of beautiful fruits on behalf of the person who arranged everything. It was a very nice gesture on her part, but it wasn't on behalf of Salma.
AOL Latino: Do you plan on saying anything to Salma the next time you run into her?
Maria Celeste: No, and it's not the end of the world. I'm sure she's feeling badly about it too, particularly after finding out because there are times when poor decisions are made without considering the consequences. An artist cancels without realizing all the effort those goes into them. I'd say absolutely nothing about it. I still love her as an actress and find her a very beautiful woman, elegant and professional 99 percent of the time. With this, though, it was a tremendous failure.
Wait just a minute. Why Maria Celeste jump to conclusions and star attacking Salma. One can't know for sure what went wrong with miscommunication. I hate when people like Maria Celeste trash any star for ratings. And by the way, Maria Celeste has always done interviews on her show, so it is rare!!
I've worked for a high profile individual in the past and it may be over commitment issues and lack of proper communication (blame it on the staff?) or it could just be an inflated ego that waits for the best offer at the last minute? Although, judging from some of the things Salma has said lately in interviews, it may be the latter hehe She's still a beautiful woman though! :)
My old boss used to do this with me and it drove me crazy...having to find polite ways to get out of situations last minute was a nightmare and then I had to creatively find ways to smooth everything over. My old boss would flake on friends and families allll the time...not to mention interviews...the richer and more entitled a person, the less everyday things like commitments and appointments and promises seem to matter. Anyhow sounds like she needs a better assistant!!
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Comments
(4)Add a comment
5 21 10
By gmedina
Maybe Salma is having a flashback to when she was living in Mexico and going by manana time. Que falta de respeto y modales.
Reply
5 21 10
By Sebastian Rio
Wait just a minute. Why Maria Celeste jump to conclusions and star attacking Salma. One can't know for sure what went wrong with miscommunication. I hate when people like Maria Celeste trash any star for ratings. And by the way, Maria Celeste has always done interviews on her show, so it is rare!!
I think she's full it and she's know it.
Reply
6 22 10
By Baldheaded Baby
don't you be attacking my salma!
Reply
3 26 10
By denisse martinez
I've worked for a high profile individual in the past and it may be over commitment issues and lack of proper communication (blame it on the staff?) or it could just be an inflated ego that waits for the best offer at the last minute? Although, judging from some of the things Salma has said lately in interviews, it may be the latter hehe She's still a beautiful woman though! :)
My old boss used to do this with me and it drove me crazy...having to find polite ways to get out of situations last minute was a nightmare and then I had to creatively find ways to smooth everything over. My old boss would flake on friends and families allll the time...not to mention interviews...the richer and more entitled a person, the less everyday things like commitments and appointments and promises seem to matter. Anyhow sounds like she needs a better assistant!!
Reply