Selena Gomezhas cemented herself as a versatile performer throughout her career, evolving from her Disney beginnings to becoming an accomplished and celebrated singer, actor, and businesswoman. Known for her iconic role asAlex Russo inWizards of Waverly Place, her acclaimed performance as Mabel inOnly Murders in the Building,and her chart-topping music career, Gomez has recently set her sights on more ambitious roles in film. Her latest project marks a significant departure from her previous comedic work in television, earning her a Cannes Best Actress Award alongside her co-stars Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Adriana Paz.
The film, directed by Jacques Audiard, has been widely acclaimed, sparking awards buzz since its debut. However, despite the acclaim surrounding the project, Gomez has found herself at the center of criticism from the internet, and now, famous Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez. Derbez, who worked onCODAandInstructions Not Included,questioned the star’s performance in the film, especially her fluency in Spanish.
Selena Gomez Addresses Criticism of Her Emilia Perez Performance
The Actress Opened Up About The Learning Process
Gomez stars inEmilia Perez,a musical crime drama that has received acclaim since its Cannes debut, including five awards at the 37th European Film Festival. On theHablando de Cinepodcast, Derbez called Gomez’s acting “indefensible.” He said he was unimpressed by her performance, going as far as questioning why her work had gone without scrutiny and received so much acclaim. Derbez also suggested that the use of subtitles masked Gomez’s “flat” acting for non-Spanish-speaking viewers. Podcast host, Gaby Meza, pointed out that Spanish is not Gomez’s first “or fifth” language, saying:“If she doesn’t know what she’s saying, she can’t give her acting any nuance.”
After Meza’s criticism, Derbez responded,“Gimme five,“in agreement. “I was wondering why no one was discussing this,“he added. The podcast was quickly clipped and uploaded to TikTok where Gomez, who recently won IndieWire’s Spotlight Award for her performance in the film, took to the comments to give her thoughts. This is what she said:
I understand where you are coming from. I’m sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn’t take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie.
Gomez, who is Mexican-American, spoke in past interviews about her lack of fluency, explaining that she was once fluent, but lost touch with the language once she started working in Hollywood.“I got my first job at 7, and most of my jobs from that point on were English, and I just lost [my Spanish]. That’s kind of the case for a lot of people, especially Mexican-American people,“she toldNPR’s Fresh Airin November. She has also explained that although she has difficulty speaking Spanish, she can fully understand the language.
What This Means For Emilia Perez
The Impact On Gomez’s Ambitious Career Move
Emilia Pereztells the storyof a Mexican cartel leader “Manitas” (Gascón) who enlists a lawyer (Saldaña) to help her disappear and transition into a woman, later becoming the titular character. Gomez plays the role of Jessi Del Monte, an American woman living in Mexico who is married to Manitas. While her performance has received accolades, the critique highlights the difficulties of playing a role outside of one’s first language. Gomez has previously said that she took six months of Spanish classes in preparation for the role, which demonstrates her willingness to embrace such ambitious roles, pushing boundaries and exploring new territory as an actress.
Emilia Pérez Review: Zoe Saldana’s Spectacular Netflix Crime Musical Melodrama Defies All Genres
Emilia Pérez is a narco crime saga, melodrama, and pop-opera all in one, affecting and thrilling as it teeters between chaos and control.
Despite the scrutiny, Gomez’s efforts and the acclaim she has received suggestEmilia Perezwill remain an important milestone in her career, with the film being mentioned in conversations of possible Oscar nominees, including Gomez as Best Supporting Actress. However, Derbez pointed out an important aspect of the film in his critique,“I told myself, ‘How weird that the director doesn’t speak English or Spanish and the movie is in Spanish and English, and it takes place in Mexico and you don’t understand the culture.’”
These comments spark up the ever-going conversation of proper representation in Hollywood, and the importance of it.Emilia Perezcould become a stepping stone for Gomez’s evolving acting career while reigniting discussions on inclusivity and cultural understanding in international filmmaking.
Emilia Perez
Cast
Emilia Perez is a drama film that follows the life of Emilia Perez, a determined and ambitious individual striving to make a name for herself in a competitive environment. The story explores her journey as she navigates the challenges and obstacles that come her way, all while uncovering the complexities of her own identity.
