Why Salma Hayek Thought Working With Meghan Markle 'Was A Joke' At First

Salma Hayek had no idea she was being considered for the cover of Meghan Markle ’s guest-edited September issue of Vogue UK .

In fact, the actress told CNN in an article published Wednesday that the two had never spoken until British Vogue Editor-in-Chief Edward Enninful called to put her on the phone with Meghan. At first, she “thought it was a joke.” 

Even as the two were talking, Hayek said, she still didn’t understand she would later be one of 15 women featured on the “Forces of Change” cover for the iconic September issue. 

“She said, you know, she was the guest editor of British Vogue, and I’m thinking maybe it’s going to be an article on what we’re doing,” Hayek said. “And she said no, ‘I’m [doing a cover], I’m not going to be the cover, I’m putting my favorite women on the cover. And you’re definitely one of them. You one of the first ones.’” 

“I did not see it coming that way. She started talking about how she’s been watching me and why me,” the 52-year-old said. 

Hayek told CNN the news left her “completely shocked,” though she wasn’t allowed to tell anyone about the project not even her husband, daughter or publicist.

“I loved that she didn’t want to be on the cover ,” Hayek added. “She used her light to put it upon others, the ones who inspired her.”

As Enninful said in a letter about the issue , the duchess didn’t want to put the spotlight on herself for the cover as she thought it would come off as “boastful.” 

Alongside Hayek are 14 other women on the cover inspiring change: models Adwoa Aboah, Adut Akech Bior and Christy Turlington Burns; boxer Ramla Ali; New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern; activists Sinéad Burke and Greta Thunberg; actors Gemma Chan, Laverne Cox, Jane Fonda, Jameela Jamil and Yara Shahidi; ballerina Francesca Hayward; and author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie.

There’s also an intentional blank space on the cover of the issue, which is supposed to symbolize a mirror. 

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