Selena Gomez fights back after criticism of her Spanish in Emilia Perez

In a recent discussion on the Spanish-language podcast Hablando de Cine, comedian Eugenio Derbez openly criticized Selena Gomez's performance in the film Emilia Pérez, which was released on Netflix on November 13, 2023. Derbez, alongside host Gaby Meza, labeled Gomez's portrayal as 'indefensible,' questioning her ability to convincingly act in a language that is not her primary one. The podcast highlighted that Gomez's lack of fluency in Spanish made her performance feel unconvincing and uncomfortable to audiences, especially to those who understood the language. This criticism sparked a broader conversation about representation and language proficiency in films, particularly for projects rooted in significant cultural contexts. Gomez, who is a native English speaker, embraced the criticism and acknowledged her desire to improve her Spanish skills for future roles. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to take on this role, indicating a willingness to learn and grow as an actor. Derbez suggested that a significant portion of the audience relying on subtitles might not fully grasp the shortcomings in Gomez's delivery, which brought into question the broader implications of casting choices in bilingual films. The discussion also explored how the director's unfamiliarity with both English and Spanish may have influenced the overall execution and authenticity of the project. This situation draws attention to the challenges faced by actors stepping out of their linguistic and cultural comfort zones. While many praised the film for its themes and storyline, the specific critiques of Gomez's performance raised questions regarding how Spanish-speaking audiences perceive portrayals that may not resonate authentically. As the conversation about cultural representation continues, the film serves as an example of the complexities surrounding language and expression in the entertainment industry. In conclusion, while Emilia Pérez offers a unique narrative within a bilingual framework, the backlash against Gomez may indicate a need for greater consideration of language skills in casting decisions. This may lead to more thoughtful dialogue about inclusivity and authenticity in film, especially for productions targeting multilingual audiences.