Salma Hayek Pinault

I originally met Salma Hayek Pinault when I had my first offer to do an American film. I knew almost no one in the U.S., but she picked me up from the airport and took me to her house. Meeting her was like reuniting with a sister you hadn’t seen in a long time. It was 100% trust from our first conversation. She’s incredibly generous—it’s something she extends to everyone, but especially other women.

Salma is a great observer and feels everything deeply. She’s strong yet sensitive, and she can read people very well. That’s what makes her a great actor, her ability to put herself in someone else’s shoes, from her breakthrough portrayal of Frida Kahlo to her most recent performance as Maxandra in Magic Mike’s Last Dance. Her huge heart, great intelligence, and charisma are a winning combination, but the thing I’m most proud of is that she’s always entirely herself. As one of the first Latinas working in Hollywood, she’s opened so many doors for people who followed. She is a total revolutionary, and there’s still so much she will do.

Cruz is an Oscar-winning actor

Contact us at letters@time.com.