Hayek's next project might be the most important of her career. "I shouldn't be telling you this," she says, before explaining that she's written a script for a movie she's been hoping to direct for about 17 years. Once again, the odds are against her. "I'm highly dyslexic," Hayek notes. reebok classic mens "English is my second language, and I'm not a good writer. But this was too personal and too complicated for me to find a writer to do it, so I had to write it myself." Hayek has only two previous directing credits, a music video for Prince ("Te Amo Corazón") and the 2003 Showtime drama The Maldonado Miracle, for which she earned a Daytime Emmy. She promised herself that the next film she helmed would be this one. Hayek is currently shopping it around and can't reveal more details but says, "It's a completely original script, and I emphasize 'original.' The problem is, it's not a cheap movie."

In the meantime, as quarantine winds down in the U.K., Hayek has been spending quality time with her Southern white-faced owl, which she adopted after seeing an ad for a rescue organization. (Originally intended as a gift for Pinault, the bird is named Kering.) Often she allows it to fly around the house, including the bedroom. "When my husband's out of town, I sleep with the owl," Hayek says. "Her favorite place to be is in the yoga room when I'm meditating. She's completely calm. She gets it." Hayek says she's developed an interestingly nuanced rapport with the bird, partly because Hayek doesn't treat her like a toy. She knows the importance of allowing the sensitive creature to do her own thing.

"I understand her," Hayek says. reebok womens shoes Then she laughs. "I don't know if she understands me."

Lead Image: Alberta Ferretti blazer and trousers. Sabine Roemer earrings. Boucheron necklace. Right hand: Chanel High Jewelry bracelet. De Beers ring. Left hand: Chopard watch. De Beers bracelet. Chanel High Jewelry ring.

Styling by Sam Ranger. Hair by Miguel Perez/The Wall Group. Makeup by Sofia Schwarzkopf-Tilbury. Manicure by Kate Williamson/Caren. Prop styling by Julia Dias/The Wall Group. Production by Susannah Phillips/Turo Productions.

For more stories like this, pick up the July 2021 issue of InStyle, available on newsstands, on Amazon, and for digital download June 18th.