Selena Gomez Was ‘So Nervous’ to Star in Her First Spanish-Speaking Film ‘Emilia Pérez,’ Says Her Character Is ‘Similar to Myself’

Emilia Perez it has a special meaning for Selena Gomez.

During a Q&A following a screening at the Toronto Film Festival on Monday, Sept. 9, Gomez, 32, revealed why the film, which marks her first role in the Spanish-speaking world, means so much to her.

“It was actually really interesting because I ended up being able to develop a character that was very similar to me,” Gomez said. She plays Jessi Del Monte, the wife of drug cartel leader Emilia Pérez (Karla Sofía Gascón), who tries to fake her death.

Selena Gomez attended the premiere of ‘Emilia Perez’ during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty

Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón Stun in Trailer for Spanish-Language Musical Emilia Perez

“Actually, I believe in a lot of Hispanic communities in America. I think there are everywhere. But I, I’m really, really glad we were able to make her Hispanic because that’s who I am,” Gomez continued.

“I can understand when someone is talking, but don’t ask me to answer,” she said. “And I, I’m really grateful that we were able to pull it off.”

The Just the murders in the building The star, who also sings in the film, confirmed she had never acted in Spanish before and admitted: “I was so nervous.”

Benny Blanco is delighted with the Selena Gomez movie Emilia Perez: ‘One of the best movies I’ve ever seen’

In addition to Gomez, the Jacques Audiard-directed film also stars Zoe Saldaña, who plays lawyer Rita.

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Gomez burst into tears at the premiere at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in May as the film received a standing ovation for several minutes, per Diversity and Deadline.

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez attended the premiere of ‘Emilia Perez’ during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

Mert Alper Dervis/Anadolu via Getty

Never one to disappoint with her fashion choices, Gomez and her stylist Erin Walsh put together two looks for the star: a rose-red custom Giambattista Valli gown for Emilia Perez photocall and a black and white Saint Laurent off-the-shoulder number for a film event on the red carpet.

In August, Gomez shared a video on Instagram of the emotional moment when she found out she had landed the movie role, in which she could be heard saying, “I can’t believe I got the movie! I’m going to cry now, I don’t want to cry,”

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Emilia Perez is in select theaters on November 1st, then airs on Netflix on November 13th.

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Source: HIS Education

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