Hayek produces Ugly Betty
ABC hopes series will charm, delight viewers
"America needs America!" Salma Hayek exclaimed, minutes after a panel discussion on her newest production, Ugly Betty.
The Oscar-nominated actress is one of six producers behind Ugly Betty, a new primetime series debuting this fall.
The show, based on a hugely popular Colombian telenovela of the same name, stars America Ferrera (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants) as Betty Suarez, a chubby, fashion-challenged graduate who lands a job as assistant to the editor of a fashion magazine in New York City.
"I think she's beautiful," Hayek said, gesturing to Ferrera, who sat next to her on-stage during ABC's session at the Television Critics Association tour in Pasadena.
Asked whether the show's title might offend viewers, Hayek responded, "It's sarcastic. Anybody who isn't super skinny and really tall, some people think they're really ugly. We're making fun of it. We're not really calling her ugly."
Ferrera, a 22-year-old whose first earned raves for her performance as a curvy gal in the indie hit Real Women Have Curves, said she was attracted to the role because Betty represents real women.
"Betty is the most beautiful opportunity that's ever come across my path to represent a whole generation of young women who don't recognize themselves in anything they're watching."
Ferrera grew up in the San Fernando Valley. "I didn't even know how fat I was until I started acting. I don't feel that way inside," she said. "It seems like the roles that mean something are roles that are flawed and no one else wants."
Hayek won't just be working behind the scenes but has also signed on for a small on-air role. The actress who began her acting career as a telenovela star in Mexico will be featured frequently on a hilarious telenovela within Ugly Betty.
"It was a lot of fun to go back and make fun of myself," she laughed.
