Inside Story

Selena Gomez Stands Tall Amid Criticism: “I’d Do This Movie Over and Over Again” Selena Gomez Stands Tall Amid Criticism: “I’d Do This Movie Over and Over Again”

Selena Gomez isn’t letting controversy dim her pride. The 32-year-old actress and singer is standing firmly behind her performance in Emilia Pérez, a bold bilingual role that pushed her out of her comfort zone and into deeper artistic territory.

In an interview with Billboard’s Latin Women in Music issue, Gomez reflected on the experience. “I pushed myself into uncomfortable spaces, which as an actress are the most rewarding,” she said. “It was a magical time.”

Gomez portrays Jessi, an American musician who moves to Mexico to pursue her dreams. The role, while applauded by many, sparked criticism over her Spanish dialect—most notably from actor Eugenio Derbez. Gomez responded with grace, writing on TikTok, “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.”

Despite backlash and surrounding controversies, including the resurfacing of co-star Karla Sofía Gascón’s offensive past tweets, Gomez remains proud. At the Santa Barbara Film Festival, she said, “Some of the magic has disappeared, but I choose to be proud.”

And her final word? “I would do this movie over and over again if I could.”


Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com