Selena Gomez is shining brighter than ever! At 32, the former Disney star is generating major awards season buzz for her role in Emilia Pérez, the Spanish-language musical directed by Jacques Audiard. The film recently took home the Jury Prize at Cannes and a collective best actress award for Gomez, alongside co-stars Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofía Gascón.
While keeping the film’s plot under wraps (it’s best experienced without spoilers), it follows an attorney in Mexico City who becomes entangled with a drug kingpin and his family.
At the Los Angeles premiere held at the Egyptian Theater, Gomez reflected on her journey from childhood star to potential Oscar contender. “I would have never believed you,” she said, recalling how she watched the Oscars every year with her mom. “It’s crazy to think about. But I’m just so happy people are receiving this with an open mind and heart. I’m really grateful for this experience.”
When asked about her singing in the film compared to her music career, Gomez noted the difference: “It was a lot different. I love performing in Spanish, but this was very raw. They didn’t use auto-tune, so everything felt real. It doesn’t mean everything sounded perfect, but it was nice.”
Gomez also discussed the challenges of filming, particularly with the Spanish language. “I wish I had more time, but I’m grateful for the help I received, and hopefully I did some of it correctly.”
As for future projects, Gomez expressed her desire to explore a variety of roles. “I don’t think it’s about a genre. I would love to try many different things,” she said. When asked about directing, she replied, “Not yet. There’s so much I need to learn.” Writing is also on her radar: “I write for fun. It’s cathartic, and I like to write about my dreams, but I have a lot to learn there, too.”
Naturally, fans are eager to know about new music. Gomez admitted, “I currently don’t have anything, but music will always be a part of me. No movements are happening right now, but it will always be in my life.”
Gomez also shared her excitement about having Madonna at a recent screening of Emilia Pérez. “That was really sweet. She was very kind and even cried—it felt really special.”
As the buzz around Emilia Pérez grows, it’s clear that Selena Gomez is more than ready for her next chapter in both film and music. Stay tuned for more updates on this multi-talented star!
