Actor-producer Eugenio Derbez has criticized Selena Gomez’s performance in the recent musical crime thriller Emilia Pérez, stating that her Spanish dialogue was not convincing and made the film uncomfortable to watch. In an interview on the Hablando de Cine podcast, Derbez expressed his disapproval of Gomez’s acting, saying she doesn’t know what she is saying when speaking in a language that isn’t her primary one.
Gomez responded to Derbez’s criticism on TikTok, stating she understands where he’s coming from but apologized for not doing better with the limited time given. The actress also defended herself against those who would blame her fans for standing up in support of her.
The controversy has sparked a debate about the importance of an actor’s language proficiency and its impact on their performance. Derbez believes that if the audience doesn’t speak the same language, they might not fully appreciate the nuances of the acting, especially in films with Spanish dialogue.
Selena Gomez plays Jessi del Monte in Emilia Pérez, alongside co-stars Karla Sofía Gascón, Adriana Paz, and Zoe Saldaña. Despite Derbez’s criticism, she was awarded the Cannes Film Festival’s best actress prize alongside her co-stars.
Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/selena-gomez-defends-herself-eugenio-derbez-emilia-perez-criticism-1236080748