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What exactly did Stephen Colbert say about Salma Hayek’s accent and when did he say it?

Checked on November 25, 2025
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Executive summary

Available sources do not provide a direct transcript or a verified date for any remark by Stephen Colbert about Salma Hayek’s accent; the search results include episode listings showing Hayek guested on The Late Show in 2017 and 2021 [1] [2] but none quote Colbert’s words about her accent [1] [2] [3]. A Spanish-language article claims Colbert insulted Mexico during a recent appearance with Hayek, but that piece is not corroborated by the episode guides or mainstream episode archives in the provided results [4] [1] [2].

1. What the available episode records show — when Salma Hayek appeared

Episode databases and guides in the search results list Salma Hayek as a guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert in at least 2017 and February 3, 2021: an IMDb entry for a 2017 episode lists Hayek among the guests [1], and another IMDb entry and TVmaze listing identify a 2021 episode with Hayek and Mark Harris [2] [3]. These listings establish when she appeared on Colbert’s program in the sources provided, but they do not include transcripts or verbatim monologue lines [1] [2] [3].

2. The specific claim about Colbert insulting Mexico or commenting on Hayek’s accent

A Spanish-language item in the results asserts that “Stephen Colbert INSULTA a México en Vivo” and describes an exchange where Colbert reportedly reduces Mexico to crime and poverty and later dedicates a monologue to Mexico [4]. However, the article is the only result here making that charge; the episode guides and mainstream site listings in these search results do not reproduce or verify the alleged quoted lines about Mexico or Hayek’s accent [4] [1] [2] [3]. Therefore, available sources do not mention an authoritative transcript or corroborating coverage of the specific insult about Hayek’s accent.

3. On sourcing and corroboration — why this matters

Talk-show banter is often paraphrased or spun in clip-led coverage; a single outlet’s characterization can differ from verbatim remarks. The Spanish piece provides a narrative but is not echoed in the episode listings or TV archives included here [4] [1] [2] [3]. Without a transcript, video clip, or multiple independent reports in the provided set, asserting exactly what Colbert said or when would go beyond what these sources support [1] [2] [3].

4. Possible places to confirm the exact wording and timing

The authoritative ways to verify a late-night remark are: (a) watch the episode video or official clips (Paramount+/CBS archives referenced for the show; p1_s9), (b) consult a full episode transcript (not present in the provided results), or (c) find multiple reputable news reports quoting the lines. The Paramount+ show page and episode lists identify the program but the current search results do not include a transcript or clip of the alleged remark [5] [6].

5. Alternative viewpoints and agendas in the sources

The Spanish article frames the exchange as an “insult” and emphasizes a corrective response from Hayek, suggesting an angle that defends Mexico’s dignity [4]. Episode guides (IMDb, TVmaze) are neutral catalogs listing guests and dates without commentary [1] [2] [3]. The difference in tone matters: a standalone, possibly opinionated post can present an incident as offensive while episode listings remain silent, so readers should treat the claim as unverified by independent episode documentation in these search results [4] [1] [2] [3].

6. Bottom line and recommended next steps for verification

Based on the provided sources, you cannot reliably say exactly what Stephen Colbert said about Salma Hayek’s accent nor pinpoint a verified date for such a remark; episode listings confirm Hayek’s guest appearances but not the quoted material [1] [2] [3]. To confirm the precise wording and timing, consult the show’s video archives on Paramount+/CBS or locate a transcript or multiple news outlets that quote the exchange — resources that are referenced but not supplied in the current result set [5] [6].

Want to dive deeper?
What clip or episode features Stephen Colbert’s remarks about Salma Hayek’s accent?
Did Colbert’s comments about Salma Hayek spark public backlash or an official apology?
Has Salma Hayek or her representatives publicly responded to Colbert’s remark?
Were Colbert’s comments part of a recurring joke or isolated to one monologue/interview?
How have media outlets and comedians discussed the ethics of commenting on celebrities’ accents?