Selena Gomez stars alongside three other prominent actresses in director Jacques Audiard’s musical crime thriller, “Emilia Pérez.” In this film, Gomez portrays the ex-wife of a cartel leader, with Karla Sofía Gascón taking on the role of Emilia. Notably, Gomez delivers her lines in Spanish, a language she admits she is not fluent in but spoke during her childhood.
Recently, Gomez addressed criticisms regarding her Spanish-speaking abilities raised by actor and producer Eugenio Derbez. During an episode of the Hablando de Cine podcast, Derbez discussed the film and expressed dissatisfaction with Gomez’s performance, stating that her acting brought noticeable discomfort. He noted that audiences around him felt similarly, questioning how her lack of fluency affected the portrayal of her character.
Gomez responded to Derbez’s remarks after noticing a clip of the podcast, clarifying her effort, “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.” She also defended her fans, telling Derbez not to blame them for supporting her.
Podcast host Gaby Meza echoed the sentiment that Gomez’s limited mastery of Spanish contributed to a lack of nuance in her acting. Derbez acknowledged this, speculating that audiences who do not understand Spanish may not grasp the underlying issues in Gomez’s performance. Both remarked on the uniqueness of casting decisions made by director Audiard, who may not fully understand the cultural nuances of the languages spoken in the film.
Following the backlash, Derbez took to social media on December 8 to issue an apology for his “careless comments,” asserting that as members of the Latino community, support should remain a priority.
Despite the controversy, the leading ladies of “Emilia Pérez,” including Gomez, Gascón, Adriana Paz, and Zoe Saldaña, were collectively honored with the best actress award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival for their performances.
This situation underscores the complexities of bilingual performances in film, reminding us that authentic representation can be both a challenging and rewarding endeavor. It also highlights the importance of constructive criticism within creative communities, especially among artists who share cultural backgrounds.
In a hopeful light, Gomez’s commitment to her craft and her willingness to address critiques openly can inspire other artists to embrace authenticity and growth in their creative pursuits.