Actress Salma Hayek refused to pre-record a video acceptance speech for April's MTV Movie Awards, after learning her category Best Latin Actor wouldn't be televised.
"If we Latins are not worth their time on television, why should they be worth mine?", Hayek told InStyle Magazine, explaining why she decided to turn down the invitation.
"We deserve better", she said.
The Veracruz-born star was nominated for her performance as a Mexican cartel boss in Oliver Stone's 2012 film "Savages" and was actually excited when she was told she had good chance of winning the prize.
However, her excitement turned to anger when she learned that she wouldn't get any screen time if she did claim victory during the award ceremony that took place on April 13 in Los Angeles and was hosted by actress Rebel Wilson.
"When they told me I (might win), I was asked to tape a message saying thank you. But the thing is, this particular award isn't televised. Now, believe me, I am so grateful they acknowledge all of our great Latin performers, but I refused to tape the acknowledgement. If we Latins are not worth their time on television, why should they be worth mine? I think we deserve better than that, so I told them I wouldn't participate", the 47-year-old actress told InStyle Magazine.
Hayek wasn't offended because her two-minute speech wouldn't be televised, but because, in her opinion, certain media continues to differentiate the Hispanic community from the rest of American society. For the actress, Latino artists deserve the same considerate and respectful treatment as everybody else.
Finally, the MTV Movie Award for Best Latino Actor went to Javier Bardem for his role in Bond blockbuster "Skyfall," but the Spanish star didn't show up at the ceremony.