Salma Hayek Serves Sass While Presenting Best Actor Award At 2018 BAFTAs
Actress Salma Hayek utilized her big moment presenting at the 2018 BAFTA Awards to call out men, in hilarious fashion. Time's Up indeed.
And The Winner Is
The 51-year-old Mexican actress, and star of Frida and From Dusk Till Dawn, seized the opportunity to make a real statement while presenting the Best Actor award during the 71st British Academy Film Awards at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
"In this very important and historical year for women, I am here on this legendary stage to celebrate men," Hayek declared to the camera, deadpan serious.
A mixture of rapturous applause and scattered laughter soon filled the auditorium, particularly on the word "men."
Hayek continued on, still serious while being outwardly professional.
"It gives me great pleasure to be the one to present the nominations for the Leading Actor award. This is an extraordinary collection of actors at the top of their game, and emerging talent, who are already producing world-class work," she said.
After a short pause, Hayek declared the winner to be Frances McDormand, star of Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
"Just kidding. The BAFTA goes to, Gary Oldman," she finished.
Twitter unsurprisingly blew up following Hayek's speech, with many users praising her bravery.
And that, is how you do it!! Salma Hayek!! @BAFTA #BAFTA2018 #SalmaHayek #timesup pic.twitter.com/x8iqjklema— Kate Stevenson-Black (@K8ESB) February 18, 2018
Salma Hayek is my new favourite person. #Timesup — elephantsbehindsheds (@Suzy_Pearson) February 18, 2018
Salma Hayek won everything— drama lama (@pondgitsune) February 18, 2018
There were those who fretted that Oldman, the front-runner for the entire awards season, won't come home with the gong on the Awards night. This in spite of the fact that McDormand won in the Best Actress category.
Making A Statement
Elsewhere, it was much of the same, with the only surprise being Guillermo Del Toro walking away with Best Director for his woman-and-fish romance The Shape Of Water, possibly heralding an Oscar on the cards for the beloved auteur. Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri won Best Original Screenplay beating Get Out, Lady Bird, The Shape of Water, and I, Tonya.
EE Rising Star Award recipient Daniel Kaluuya, the lead in Jordan Peele's celebrated horror movie Get Out, who is up for Best Actor at the Oscars, gave an emotional speech during the BAFTAs. He thanked his mother for her support, dedicating the award to her.
It was also a big night for #MeToo and Time's Up, with women sporting black on the red carpet while the men accessorized with Time's Up pins on their lapels.
Sam Rockwell thanked all of the women in his life during his acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actor, for Three Billboards, while presenters Gemma Arterton and Lily James took their moment on-stage to thank those fighting against inequality across the board.
