Selena Gomez has never been one to back down from a challenge—and in her new track “Ojos Tristes,” she’s doing more than just dropping a song. She’s responding to backlash, honoring her roots, and sparking a conversation that hits deep for many Latinas: What does it really mean to be “Latina enough”?

Selena Gomez’s “Ojos Tristes” Is a Love Letter to the Past

In her new album I Said I Love You First, Selena Gomez includes a bilingual ballad called “Ojos Tristes” that has fans feeling emotional—across generations. The track, a collaboration with The Marías, reimagines Jeanette’s 1981 hit “El Muchacho de los Ojos Tristes.” Gomez takes the first half in English, translating the melancholy of the original into lyrics about an unwanted breakup. Then María Zardoya of The Marías glides in to sing the iconic chorus in Spanish, eventually harmonizing with Gomez in a whispery, ethereal finish.

Many fans suspected the nod to Jeanette, but the confirmation came when composer Manuel Alejandro was officially credited. Gomez and her team didn’t just sample the song—they brought it back to life. The result is a dreamy, glam-pop revival that honors Alejandro’s legendary ballad style while introducing it to a new generation.

The song’s emotional weight might also be personal. Fans believe “Ojos Tristes” is a tribute to Gomez’s late grandmother, who loved the original. Though she hasn’t confirmed it, the vibes—and the heartbreak—feel intimate. Billboard notes that the lyric video, which shows Gomez and Benny Blanco cuddled up in bed, adds to the nostalgic, gut-punching sentiment.

Selena Gomez Got Dragged for Her Spanish in “Emilia Pérez”—and Then Dropped a Whole Song in Spanish

The timing of “Ojos Tristes” feels… intentional. Just weeks ago, Gomez faced criticism for her Spanish accent in the trailer for the upcoming musical Emilia Pérez, where she plays a major role. While some online trolls ridiculed her pronunciation, Gomez didn’t publicly clap back. Instead, she dropped one of the most emotional songs on the album—in Spanish.

The bilingual structure of “Ojos Tristes” lets Gomez blend her Mexican-American identity without trying to sound “perfect.” It’s real. It’s raw. And it’s reflective of how many U.S.-born Latinas navigate language: with love, effort, and sometimes insecurity.

“I’m Not Mexican Enough”: Selena Gomez Gets Real About Identity

To make the statement clearer, in a recent interview on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Gomez addressed those insecurities directly. “Not white enough, I’m not Mexican enough,” she said. “There’s just so many different things that come up in my face that I can’t help but see… I fall victim to looking at things and it really—it doesn’t add to your life, but it’s just so difficult.”

Gomez said that women in the public eye face intense scrutiny, especially around body image. “My weight’s a big one too,” she said. “Everyone just has something to say, and it’s really making me sad—and not even sad—because you know what? No, I’m not a victim, everyone. I just think it’s made me a tad bitter.”

She emphasized that her fluctuating weight is tied to the medication she takes for lupus. Still, the judgment hurts. “Nobody cares about those kinds of things with men,” she added.

It’s not the first time Gomez has opened up about this. But the recent backlash over Emilia Pérez, and her response through music, makes the conversation feel more urgent—and more personal.

“Ojos Tristes” Is a Quiet Clapback—and a Cultural Reclamation

If Revelación, Gomez’s 2021 Latin pop EP, was her way of saying “I see you,” then “Ojos Tristes” feels like her whispering “I hear you, too.” It’s an emotional, deliberate choice. And with The Marías by her side—another act known for dreamy Spanglish alt-pop—she’s sending a message that she doesn’t need to perform a specific kind of Latinidad to be Latina.

The song doesn’t shout, it lingers. It doesn’t argue, it emotes. And in that way, it’s the perfect response to people questioning her place in the culture.

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