Selena Gomez has addressed criticism from Eugenio Derbez regarding her performance in the musical crime comedy Emilia Pérez. Derbez, speaking on the Hablando de Cine podcast, called Gomez’s acting “indefensible” due to her lack of fluency in Spanish, a key aspect of her character Jessi del Monte.
Podcast host Gaby Meza echoed the sentiment, noting Gomez’s acting talent in English-language projects like Only Murders in the Building but arguing that her Spanish delivery lacked nuance. Derbez agreed, saying the performance stood out awkwardly in the film.
Gomez responded to the criticism after a clip went viral on TikTok. “I understand where you are coming from,” she wrote. “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.”
Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, features an ensemble cast including Zoe Saldaña, Adriána Paz, and Edgar Ramírez. The story follows a cartel leader seeking a new identity while grappling with themes of transformation and identity. Despite the criticism, Gomez remains proud of her efforts in the film.