Salma Hayek has warned that racism is the major "elephant in the room" in America.

The topic has risen to the forefront in the US following the death of Sandra Bland in police custody. She was 28 and was allegedly physically apprehended by cops during a traffic stop in Texas, with questions asked about how she died after footage of her arrest from a dash cam was released.

Although Salma didn't refer to the case specifically, she did warn that many in the US are refusing to see the truth about how races are treated there.

"We have a big problem," she told ET. "I think that this is the big elephant in the room. Because there were many years where people were saying, 'Oh, racism is over in America.' And, 'America is very inclusive.' And I think in the last couple of years, more and more, we're realising that that is a lie and that this is a very big problem that we need to deal with."

Stars including singer Nicki Minaj and actor Jesse Williams have already spoken out about Sandra Bland, with people all over America calling for the truth about her death to be released.

The case comes after several allegations of police brutality against black people in the country, with riots staged in Baltimore in April when 25-year-old African American Freddie Gray died after falling into a coma following his arrest in the city.

This isn't the first time Salma has touched on the issue of racism. She has previously used Twitter to air her views, calling on America to think in a more inclusive manner.

"I am heartbroken by the hate and racism this beautiful country, that stands for freedom, has still not been able to overcome," she wrote on the social media website in June.

"Anyone with hate in their heart, wanting to split America, remember sacrifices men & women of every race & color make daily in armed forces," Hayek said. "In times of war, they risk their lives for our dream of freedom (sic)."

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