Selena Gomez has spoken out in response to sharp criticism from Eugenio Derbez, who recently called her Spanish-speaking performance in Emilia Pérez “indefensible.” The comments, which stem from Derbez’s appearance on the Hablando de Cine podcast, sparked a conversation about cultural fluency in acting and the challenges of multilingual performances.
The Criticism
Derbez, a celebrated Mexican actor and producer, shared his disapproval of Gomez’s portrayal of Jessi del Monte in Jacques Audiard’s musical crime thriller. He argued that Gomez’s lack of fluency in Spanish undermined the authenticity of her performance.
“Selena is indefensible,” Derbez stated. “Every time a scene [with her in it] came on, we looked at each other and said, ‘Wow, what is this?’”
Podcast host Gaby Meza echoed Derbez’s critique, explaining that Gomez’s unfamiliarity with the language resulted in a lack of nuance. “Spanish is neither her primary nor secondary language nor fifth,” Meza said, adding that Gomez’s performance was “not only unconvincing but uncomfortable.”
Questions About Direction
Derbez also criticized Audiard, noting that the French director does not speak Spanish or English—the two languages central to Emilia Pérez. He described the project as “a very interesting experiment” but questioned its cultural and linguistic authenticity, especially since the film is set in Mexico.
Gomez Responds with Grace
Gomez reacted to the criticism in a comment on TikTok, where a clip of Derbez’s interview had been shared. She wrote, “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.”
Balancing Praise and Criticism
While her performance has faced scrutiny, Gomez’s overall talent remains widely recognized. Meza acknowledged her skills as a “very talented actress” and “very good singer,” referencing her Emmy-nominated role in Only Murders in the Building.
Awards and Recognition
Despite the critique, Gomez’s work in Emilia Pérez has earned significant accolades. She and her co-stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Adriana Paz, and Zoe Saldaña were awarded the Cannes Film Festival’s Best Actress prize, and the film is generating Oscar buzz.
As the conversation continues, Gomez’s response highlights her professionalism and dedication to her craft, even in the face of harsh criticism.
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