Salma Hayek's theater plans ruined by stage fright

Salma Hayek had to pull out of plans to star in a Broadway musical after suffering crippling bouts of stage fright.

The Mexican actress once signed up to star in a New York stage show, but she had to quit the project after failing to overcome her fears.

She tells the London Evening Standard, "I have really bad stage fright. There have been a couple of times where I've said yes to stage projects but when we've got a little closer I couldn't. Even when I'm speaking it's severe, not just like little nerves. I almost did a musical on Broadway, but I just couldn't. It would have been the worst musical ever."

Hayek admits she doesn't suffer the same nerves when she is shooting a film, but she is convinced a stint on stage in London's West End may cure her.

She adds, "I don't get nervous in front of the camera. I have my routines and get very focused and feel very comfortable. But I can't take (to) the stage with all those people expecting something great of me.

"I think the only way I can overcome my stage fright would be here in London. I cured my phobia of snakes in (1996 movie) From Dusk Till Dawn. But the fear of the audience looking at me - that's a whole other thing."