Penélope Cruz covers the April 2024 issue of ELLE Spain, working with photographer Xavi Gordo [IG] to deliver some of the most precious images of the actor I remember. Cruz turns 50 on April 28, and Gordo has captures her inner spirit, as well as her physicality in these simple but so revealing images. He and Penelope have quite a dance going on.

Cruz wears multiple outfits from Alaïa, Chanel, Dolce & Gabbana, Mugler, Versace and more, styled by Sylvia Montoliu. / Beauty by Pablo Iglesias

There are moments that I still confuse Penélope Cruz and Salma Hayek. Now that Cruz’s ELLE Spain [IG] April 2024 interview with Paloma Leyraand explains that they are very close friends, I feel a bit better.

Penelope Discovers Women’s World

Cruz’s mother was a hairdresser and she and her sister spent a great deal of time in a salon after school. It was there that Penelope observed the women carefully, understanding not only their desire to be pretty in their lives, but practicing rituals thousands of years old. The young daughter Penelope developed insights that would fuel her future success as an actor, after she first paid her way and contributed to the family finances as a model.

Leyraand gives Cruz an expansive amount of room to speak of her excellent childhood and family relationships. We learn how early in her young girl life, the idea of becoming an actor dominated Cruz’s thinking. Penelope brought this well-formed dream with her to the salon. And she learned some practical skills, as well.

“Somehow, with everything we saw over the years, curling or drying or cutting or straightening or curling, we learned to do it too,” Cruz shares, preparing to speak of her dear friend Hayek.

Penelope and Salma

The Ferrari star, whose discussion of the movie has appeared multiples on AOC, laughs over the memory of Salma’s call:

“I've lost power at home and the makeup artist and hairdresser can't come, and I have a premiere. I want you to come and do my hair and makeup. Come on, let's try it.”
We did it with candles, and it didn't turn out bad!

Do read the Penelope Cruz interview on the top of post link. I hit translator. Cruz’s other interviews based on ‘Ferrari’ are after the fabulous images. ~ Anne