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Salma Hayek Celebrates Daughter Valentina’s 16th Birthday with Throwback Video (and the Resemblance Is Uncanny)

Happy birthday, Valentina

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Salma Hayek Met Gala CAT2
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images

In celebration of her daughter’s 16th birthday, proud mom Salma Hayek shared a touching video that was filled with extremely rare throwback footage and photos of the Mexican-born actress and her baby girl, Valentina Paloma Pinault. And while watching the heartfelt tribute, we couldn’t stop thinking about how much the bday girl looks like her mom’s mini-me.

Yesterday on Instagram, the Ugly Betty alum, 57, shared the tribute video on her personal account. The video montage begins with a grainy clip of Valentina (who looks to be no older than five or six) singing the Barney song, “I Love You,” while wearing a white onesie.

What comes next is a throwback recording of Hayek holding her baby girl in her arms. The striking resemblance between the pair is pretty evident, from their big eyes to their bright smiles.

In the caption, Hayek dedicated a special message to her daughter, writing, “Today my baby turns 16 and my heart is bursting with love, pride and gratitude for the day you were born. Keep shining your beautiful light shamelessly my lovely girl, even if it blinds the fools.”

The Frida star continued, “For those of us fortunate enough to have you in our lives, thank you for making us stronger with your courage. For filling our lives with laughter and joy with your wicked wit. For challenging us to grow with your depth. And for inspiring us with your soulfulness every day. Happy sweet 16th Valentina; may this be the sweetest year yet!”

Salma Hayek and Daughter Valentina CAT
Jesse Grant/Getty Images

While Hayek rarely posts pictures of her daughter on social media, the mother-daughter duo have become quite the show stealers on the red carpet.

Back in March, the Grown Up 2 actress brought Valentina to the 95th Academy Awards and they both turned heads with their coordinating red gowns. The teenager pulled a classic re-wear moment at the event, where she was spotted donning a gorgeous red Isaac Mizrahi gown—which also happens to be the same gown her mom wore at the Fire & Ice Ball in 1997.

Salma Hayek and Daughter 2023 Oscars CAT
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images

We love a good throwback.

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Assistant Editor, News And Entertainment

  • Covers all things news and entertainment
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