Not all Latinos speak fluent Spanish. In fact, some hardly speak the language at all. But recently, Mexican actor and comedian Eugenio Derbez started drama by criticizing Selena Gomez‘s Spanish in Emilia Pérez.
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Selena has described herself as a “proud third-generation American-Mexican” but is the first to admit she’s not fluent in Spanish. To prepare for the 2024 Spanish-language film, Emilia Pérez, she took lessons for six months. But clearly, Eugenio wasn’t impressed with her performance—and he ignited a public feud with the pop star/actress.
Eugenio Derbez slammed Selena's Spanish in 'Emilia Pérez.'
During a recent appearance on the Hablando de Cine Con podcast, Eugenio shared his honest opinion of Selena’s Spanish in Emilia Pérez. The “Lose You to Love Me” singer plays the character Jessi del Monte in the musical crime thriller.
“Selena is indefensible,” Eugenio said of her performance. “I was sitting with people, and every time she came on screen, we’d look at each other like…‘Wow! What is this?’”
The podcast host agreed.
Host Gaby Meza seemingly agreed with Eugenio’s opinion of Selena’s Spanish.
“Even though she has many fans who will defend her…she’s a very talented actress with an Emmy nomination for Only Murders in the Building,” she said. “But Spanish isn’t her first, second, or even fifth language. She doesn’t speak Spanish.”
Soon afterward, Selena responded to the criticism.
In the comments of a TikTok video from the podcast, Selena issued a direct response to Eugenio’s critique.
“I understand where you are coming from..I’m sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given,” she wrote. “Doesn’t take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie.”
Eugenio has since apologized for his 'careless comments.'
Following backlash on social media, Eugenio issued an apology to Selena via TikTok.
“I truly apologize for my careless comments — they are indefensible and go against everything I stand for,” he wrote. “As Latinos, we should always support one another. There’s no excuse. I was wrong, and I deeply admire your career and your kind heart.”
Selena previously explained how she lost her Spanish fluency when she moved to California as a child.
During a November 19, interview for NPR’s Fresh Air, Selena explained that she lost her fluency in Spanish after moving to California to pursue music and acting.
“I got my first job at 7, and most of my jobs from that point on were English,” she recalled. “And I just lost [my Spanish]. That’s kind of the case for a lot of people, especially Mexican American people.”
Later, Selena added, “I wish I just knew a lot more than I do. But I think that’s why I try to honor my culture as much as possible. And I don’t think [Emilia Pérez will] be the last thing I do in Spanish.”
Additionally, her dad was 'so proud' of her speaking the language in 'Emilia Pérez.'
Selena speaking Spanish in the film after taking six months of lessons meant a lot to her father, Ricardo Joel Gomez.
“It meant the world to me that [director Jacques Audiard] trusted me with that and it meant a lot to my family,” she told Extra in September. “I had coaches, yes, and we communicated every day in Spanish, but, yeah, my dad was even so proud.”
Selena added, “He was like, ‘You’re texting me, mija,’ and I’m like, ‘Yeah, I’m texting you in Spanish.’”
