Selena Gomez is glowing up. At age 32, the former Disney star is earning awards season buzz for her work in writer-director Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez,” the Spanish language movie musical that won the Jury Prize at Cannes in May as well as a collective best actress award for Gomez and her co-stars Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofía Gascón.
Without giving too much away because this movie is better seen not knowing the plot, the film follows an attorney in Mexico City who goes to work for a drug kingpin and his family.
I caught up with Gomez at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday night at the Egyptian Theater.
When you were starring in Barney, could you have ever imagined that you’d be on a red carpet today being asked about receiving Oscar buzz for Spanish-language musical?
I would have never believed you. But believe it or not, even at that age, I would watch the Oscars every year with my mom. It’s very crazy to think about. However, I’m trying to jinx it. If anything, I’m just so happy. More than anything, I’m just so happy people are receiving this with an open mind and an open heart. I’m really grateful for this experience.
What was it like singing in the movie as opposed to the singing you’ve done in your music career?
It was a lot different. Obviously, I released an album in Spanish, and I love performing and singing in Spanish, but this was very raw. They didn’t use auto-tune, so everything was very raw and real and that doesn’t mean everything sounded perfect, but it was nice.
What was the most challenging part of filming?
It was the Spanish for me. I wish I had had more time, but I’m grateful for the help that I was able to receive, and hopefully I did some of it correctly.
What’s the next genre of movie you want to do?
If this movie’s taught me something, I don’t think it’s a genre. I think it’s going to be inspiration of the filmmakers, the actors, the people, the writers. I wonder if there’s a world that it can feel like genre-less. I would love to try many different things.
Could you see yourself directing one day?
Not yet. There’s so much I need to learn.
What about writing?
I write. I do write for fun. I think that’s actually very cathartic. And I like to write about my dreams, but I have a lot to learn there, too.
And you know what your fans always ask me to ask you about.
New music.
Yup!
I currently don’t have anything, but I will say music is going to always be a part of me. So I don’t think any movements are happening right now, but it will always be in my life.
What’s it like to have Madonna at your screen? [Madonna was a surprise guest of the recent Emilia Pérez screening at the New York Film Festival.]
That was really sweet. She was very kind. She actually cried, and it felt really special.
Check out more photos from the “Emilia Pérez” premiere and after party at Mother Wolf restaurant below.
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: (L-R) Benny Blanco, Selena Gomez and Édgar Ramírez attend the Los Angeles Premiere of Netflix’s “Emilia Perez” after party at Mother Wolf on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Netflix)
Getty Images for Netflix
Adriana Paz, Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, Édgar Ramírez at the “Emilia Pérez” Los Angeles Premiere on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: (L-R) Édgar Ramírez and Karla Sofía Gascón attend the Los Angeles Premiere of Netflix’s “Emilia Perez” after party at Mother Wolf on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Netflix)
Getty Images for Netflix
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – OCTOBER 21: (L-R) Zoe Saldana and Ted Sarandos, Co-CEO, Netflix, attendthe Los Angeles Premiere of Netflix’s “Emilia Perez” at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Netflix)
Getty Images for Netflix
Simon Rex at the “Emilia Pérez” Los Angeles Premiere on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Xochitl Gomez at the “Emilia Pérez” Los Angeles Premiere on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Karla Sofía Gascón at the “Emilia Pérez” Los Angeles Premiere on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Édgar Ramírez, Sofia Boutella at the “Emilia Pérez” Los Angeles Premiere on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Jacques Audiard at the “Emilia Pérez” Los Angeles Premiere on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Zoe Saldana, Marco Perego Saldaña at the “Emilia Pérez” Los Angeles Premiere on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Josh Gad at the “Emilia Pérez” Los Angeles Premiere on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores
Spencer Garrett at the “Emilia Pérez” Los Angeles Premiere on October 21, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
Gilbert Flores