Kaylah Walton
Selena Gomez gracefully replied after Eugenio Derbez critiqued her Spanish in her new movie, Emilia Pérez. The issue started when Derbez labeled Gomez’s Spanish “indefensible” during a podcast episode of Hablando de Cine, which he later deleted.
Known for his role in How to Be a Latin Lover, Derbez discussed his thoughts on Gomez’s performance. He mentioned that while viewing the film with others, they were all shocked when they heard her speak Spanish.
“I watched Emilia Pérez with a group, and every time she was on screen, we exchanged looks and thought, ‘What is this?'” Derbez commented.
Despite his critiques, he noted that the film had commendable elements, although he felt Selena‘s contributions were particularly evident.
Selena Gomez’s Reaction
In light of the criticism, Selena Gomez responded kindly in the comments of a podcast segment shared on TikTok.
She remarked, “I understand your perspective… I’m sorry, I did my best with the time I had,” emphasizing her dedication to the film.
“This doesn’t lessen the effort and heart that went into this project,” she added.
As a bilingual actress, she speaks both Spanish and English in Emilia Pérez, which also features Zoe Saldana.
The movie has been positively received, with Gomez and her castmates even earning a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, underscoring her commitment to the film.
In the same podcast, host Gaby Meza expressed her views on Gomez’s role, stating that although “Spanish is not her primary language,” the actress exhibits “great talent.” However, she felt Gomez might lack complete understanding of the lines, affecting the depth of her performance.
Derbez’s Apology
Following the backlash, Derbez took to TikTok to formally apologize to Gomez, acknowledging that his words were reckless.
“I sincerely apologize for my thoughtless comments – they are indefensible and contrary to my beliefs,” stated the 63-year-old actor.
He emphasized the importance of Latino support for one another and praised Gomez‘s talented career and compassion.
“Emilia Pérez should be celebrated, not undermined by my impulsive commentary. I take away an important lesson from this experience,” concluded Derbez.
