Having spent over a decade at the top of Tinseltown's A-list, it's small surprise Antonio Banderas relishes the opportunity to get back to his roots from time to time. The Spanish star took a break from his movie career by bringing his favourite girls, wife Melanie and daughter Stella, to his hometown of Malaga this week.
The family was photographed on the balcony of their hotel as they watched the traditional Easter Week processions pass along the street below. Every year Spain explodes in celebration, with local people carrying heavy floats bearing statues of Jesus or the Virgin Mary through their towns and cities to mark Holy Week.
And while many movie fans were no doubt hoping to catch a glimpse of the hunky actor, he was a little hard to spot after he donned a long black hooded tunic to take part in one of the parades. The 45-year-old, who was also in attendance for last year's celebrations, joined the other "Nazarenos" as they snaked their way through the centre of Malaga.
It wasn't the only dramatic costume change Antonio has made in recent days, though. The handsome actor had his American fans in hysterics last weekend when he hosted the comedy series Saturday Night Live in drag. "I am tired of being called a Latin lover, a macho man," he declared. "I am not an object. Probably tonight is the beginning of the end of my career. After the show finishes I will not only be deported from this country but there is a strong possibility that they won't allow me back into mine."
Judging by the warm reception he received from his compatriots on Tuesday afternoon, however, the Puss In Boots star will always be welcome in his sun-kissed homeland.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
