Selena Gomez’s Spanish-Speaking Role Sparks Pride and Courage Among Non-Fluent Latinos
Selena Gomez is no stranger to challenges, but her decision to take on a Spanish-speaking role in Netflix’s Emilia Pérez came with high stakes.
While critics and fans had plenty to say about her performance, her bold move sparked something bigger: a wave of pride among Latinos who see her as a hero for honoring her heritage, imperfections and all.
Selena Gomez’s Bold Step Back to Her Roots
In Emilia Pérez, Gomez plays Jessi Del Monte, the wife of a Mexican cartel leader who transitions to live life as a woman named Emilia Pérez. The movie, a genre-defying Spanish-language musical, marks Gomez’s first role performed almost entirely in Spanish.
Speaking with NPR’s Fresh Air, Gomez explained how she lost fluency in Spanish after moving to California to pursue acting at just 7 years old. “My jobs from that point on were English,” she said. “And I just lost [my Spanish]. That’s kind of the case for a lot of people, especially Mexican American people.”
Determined to reconnect with her roots, Gomez dedicated six months to language lessons to prepare for the role, PEOPLE reported. “I wish I just knew a lot more than I do,” she told the outlet. “But I think that’s why I try to honor my culture as much as possible — from releasing an album in Spanish to wanting to pursue this movie.”
Facing Backlash
Taking this role wasn’t all applause and praise. Selena Gomez faced criticism, with some accusing her of “butchering the Spanish language.” Social media lit up with debates over her performance, from supportive fans to harsh critics. One social media user bluntly said they wanted “terrible consequences” for Gomez and the film’s creators, while others defended her. “Her character is Mexican-American; therefore, Spanish is her second language,” one fan argued.
For her part, Gomez told Remezcla she was aware of the risks but embraced the challenge. “I definitely wish I had more time [to prep],” she said. “If anything, I hope this isn’t [the] last thing I do in Spanish.”
Inspiring Latinos With Her Boldness
Despite the backlash, Gomez’s performance resonated with many Latinos in the U.S. who see her as a symbol of bravery and cultural pride. TikToker @missangelina.com_ called Gomez “my hero” for taking the leap to speak Spanish on such a large platform. For others, her vulnerability felt deeply relatable.
Gomez acknowledged this connection during a post-premiere Q&A, explaining how the role mirrored her identity. “I ultimately ended up getting to develop a character that is very similar to myself and I believe a lot of Latinx communities in America,” she said.
In the end, Selena Gomez is Reclaiming Her Culture
For Gomez, Emilia Pérez was about more than acting—it was about honoring her heritage. Speaking with Entertainment Weekly, she said, “I’m very proud of who I am. I may not be fluent, but that doesn’t make me less proud or less Mexican in my eyes. I think it’s about what my last name has always meant to me: it’s my family. It’s everything that’s a part of me.”
The film also gave her a chance to show off her singing chops in Spanish with songs like “Mi Camino.” She told NPR that performing in Spanish was an emotional experience. “It was one of the most emotional songs that I got to record,” she said. “I remember just singing it and thinking, this could have been my song.”
Selena Gomez Won’t Stop Here
Despite the scrutiny, Gomez’s performance in Emilia Pérez has sparked Oscar buzz, with some critics calling it a transformative role. The PEOPLE report noted she’s already planning future projects in Spanish. “I don’t think it’ll be the last thing I do in Spanish,” she said.
Her bold move in Emilia Pérez isn’t just a moment—it’s a message. For Gomez, speaking Spanish on screen wasn’t about perfection; it was about connection. And in the process, she’s inspiring others to embrace their culture, one word at a time.
