And now, the tradition has followed Jimmy Fallon, who became the unexpected participant on his own show.

Salma Hayek gives Jimmy Fallon a taste of ‘La Mordida’

During her appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Hayek and Fallon began discussing her recent birthday and the traditions associated with celebrating the occasion. Hayek explained the Mexican custom known as La Mordida, in which the birthday person takes the first bite of their cake without using their hands.

But the tradition does not necessarily end there. Hayek explained that after the birthday person takes a bite, someone can push their face into the cake. Fallon soon learned that lesson firsthand.

Hayek recreated the tradition with Fallon, encouraging him to take a bite of the cake before getting his head pushed into it. The result left Fallon with cake covering his face, turning the interview into an unexpectedly messy celebration, with the audience chanting “mordida” loudly.

The moment also gave Hayek an opportunity to explain that the tradition is part of the fun surrounding Mexican birthday celebrations rather than simply an ordinary cake-cutting ritual. She has previously celebrated La Mordida herself, including during her 60th birthday festivities, when her daughter Valentina pushed her face toward the cake.

While Fallon got an up-close introduction to Hayek’s birthday tradition, the conversation also turned toward one of her more demanding recent acting experiences.

Salma Hayek opens up about working with Angelina Jolie on Without Blood

Salma Hayek also discussed Without Blood on Fallon’s show, the upcoming film directed by Angelina Jolie. The two actresses had previously worked together in Eternals and remained friends, which eventually led to Jolie approaching Hayek about the project.

However, Hayek revealed that her immediate response was not an enthusiastic yes. Instead, she initially turned down the opportunity because the role intimidated her. She explained that she knew she could perform well but was unsure whether she wanted to endure the emotional difficulty required to deliver that performance day after day.

“I didn’t know if I was going to be– I knew I would be good, but I didn’t know if I was going to be good every day suffering, you know?,” she said.

Ultimately, Hayek accepted the role and found the experience far less difficult than she had anticipated. She credited Jolie’s abilities as a director, her co-star, and the strength of the script for making the process rewarding. Most importantly, Hayek said she came to love her character, helping her overcome the fears that had initially made her hesitate.

Without Blood, adapted from Alessandro Baricco’s novel, stars Hayek as Nina, a woman shaped by the trauma of war. Jolie directed the film, which premiered at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival and is scheduled for a theatrical release on September 18, 2026.

What do you think about Jimmy Fallon getting his face dipped in the cake by Salma Hayek on his show? Let us know in the comments.