The film Emilia Pérez has premiered in several countries, receiving strong praise for its success at international film festivals. However, not everyone is on the same page, and one particular critique has sparked more buzz than the rest.
The experimental musical by Jacques Audiard caught attention for Selena Gomez‘s performance—not just because she’s the biggest music star among the three lead actresses, but because her character, though American, speaks and sings primarily in Spanish throughout the film. This creative choice didn’t sit well with some viewers, including Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez.
Derbez, known for his long career in film, TV, and theater, appeared on the podcast Hablando de Cine con. Initially, what made headlines was his comment that he wouldn’t return as Donkey in Shrek 5 unless he could adapt the character’s dialogue, as he did in previous installments. However, it was his remarks about Selena Gomez that soon went viral.
What Did Derbez Say About Selena Gomez?
“Selena is indefensible. I was sitting with people, and every time she came on screen, we’d look at each other like… ‘Wow! What is this?’” the actor admitted. Podcast host Gaby Meza agreed, adding: “Even though she has many fans who will defend her… she’s a very talented actress with an Emmy nomination for Only Murders in the Building, but Spanish isn’t her first, second, or even fifth language. She doesn’t speak Spanish.”
“And that’s why I feel she doesn’t fully understand what she’s saying. Since she doesn’t know the meaning of her lines, she can’t bring depth to her performance. As a result, she’s forced to exaggerate—either crying intensely or acting extremely angry. There’s no middle ground. That’s why her acting isn’t just unconvincing but also uncomfortable to watch. And those musical numbers… I don’t know why she agreed to sing them,” the podcast host shared.
Derbez, momentarily speechless, simply gave her a high-five, signaling his agreement.
“I’m glad you said that because I was thinking, ‘I can’t believe no one is talking about this,’” the actor responded. He went on to say he believes Gomez receives certain accolades because the people giving the awards aren’t Spanish speakers. He also expressed surprise upon learning that Emilia Pérez’s director, Jacques Audiard, doesn’t speak English or Spanish and is unfamiliar with Mexican culture—three core elements of the film’s story.
Selena’s Response and an Apology
The clip quickly went viral on social media, eventually reaching Selena Gomez herself. She didn’t hesitate to respond: “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,” she stated.
Although Selena has Mexican roots through her father, she stopped speaking Spanish at a young age after her parents separated. However, she has since reconnected with the language professionally—not only through Emilia Pérez but also with her 2021 Spanish-language EP, Revelación.
The backlash from Selena Gomez’s fans was so strong that Derbez quickly issued a public apology in English, addressing the singer directly:
“Dear Selena, I sincerely apologize for my careless comments. They are indefensible and go against everything I stand for.” he began. “As Latinos, we should always support one another—there’s no excuse. I was wrong, and I deeply admire your career and your kind heart,” Derbez wrote. “’Emilia Pérez’ deserves to be celebrated, not diminished by my thoughtless remarks. I’m walking away from this with an important lesson learned. While I understand if you cannot accept my apology, please know it comes from the heart.”
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