Penelope Cruz, who turns 49 today (April 28), ‘was not looking forward’ to her first nude scenes in the 1992 film Jamón Jamón but the racy rom-com changed the course of her professional and personal life
Cruz had to strip off for her first ever nude scenes in Jamon, Jamon (Image: Alamy Stock Photo)Penelope Cruz has been dubbed the “Spanish enchantress” of Hollywood for her steamy performances.
The Oscar-winning actress, who turns 49 today (April 28), comes across as a natural sex goddess during her appearances in films like To Rome With Love and Blow.
But in the early days of her movie career things were very different, with the Spanish-born star revealing she dreaded her first ever nude scene.
Cruz was just 18 when she made her feature film debut in the 1992 rom-com Jamón Jamón and had to strip down for several racy moments with co-star Javier Bardem.
Opening up to Esquire about the role, Cruz revealed she was thrilled to be cast in the “very sexy” film.
Cruz has starred in several raunchy movies but was just 18 when she filmed her first nude scene(Image: DIVYAKANT SOLANKI/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)She said: “I had a feeling the movie was going to be special, I knew the script was good.
“I knew there was something very unique there. Even if I had not seen many scripts before, it was so clear; it was so brave, so refreshing. And yes, it was very sexy.
“I thought, ‘There is a character there, there is a style, the material is really good.’”
But despite her love of the script, Cruz was still anxious about the nude scenes.
“Of course, I was not looking forward to those scenes, but I did it,” she said.
Cruz starred alongside Javier Bardem in her first film (Image: AFP via Getty Images)However, the crew helped to make her feel comfortable. She added: “Everyone was really respectful, aware of the fact that I was 18.”
And while she may have been nervous about them, the raunchy scenes changed the course of Cruz’s life.
She had a clear spark on set with Bardem, who played an underwear model and former bullfighter tasked with seducing her character.
While Cruz didn’t know it at the time, he would go on to become her husband.
After filming wrapped up, Cruz became emotional at the thought it could be the end of her acting career and she might not be able to see her co-stars again.
Cruz and Bardem reconnected in 2007(Image: AFP via Getty Images)Recalling how she felt, she said: “I remember the last day of filming; I was crying, saying, ‘What if I never shoot a movie again?’ The feeling was devastating. ‘Who knows when I will see these people again?’”.
But Cruz’s performance in the film saw her acting career take off and she even reconnected with Bardem years later while on the set of Vicky Cristina Barcelona in 2007.
The pair soon realised they were meant to be and romance quickly blossomed between them.
In 2010 the couple secretly got married in a small ceremony in the Bahamas.
The following year, they welcomed their first child together, Luna, and in 2013 they had their second child, Leo.
The couple are now married and have two children (Image: AFP via Getty Images)Bardem credited their first meeting on the racy set of Jamón Jamón with setting them on the course of love.
He said: “There was obvious chemistry between us. I mean, it’s all there on film; it’s like a document of our passion.
“One day we’re going to have to show the kids – imagine! ‘Mummy, Daddy, what did you do in the movies together?’ Well, my children, you should celebrate this movie as you’re here because of it.”
