Thursday, February 13, 2025

Selena Gomez Talks About EMILIA PÉREZ

Interview with Selena Gomez about Emilia Pérez

COCKTAIL REVOLUTION is known for our fabulous movie competitions and our last comp to win a double pass to see Emilia Pérez went off with a bang! It’s an astonishing movie, with themes of trust, betrayal, love and what is motherhood. It’s one we recommend to those of our followers who have a keen sense of diversity. Here, we interview Mexican-American actor Selena Gomez about her starring role in the acclaimed film.

Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez, courtesy of Kismet Movies

What did you know about Jacques Audiard’s work when you first met him in New York?

The first film I’d ever seen of his was Rust and Bone and I instantly fell in love with the style of his filmmaking. I was excited to meet him but also nervous because I knew this part was going to be a challenge for me.

He says you didn’t believe him when he told you, 10 minutes into the conversation, that the part was yours…

When I auditioned for him, I swear I kind of blacked out because it was such a passionate scene I got lost in it. When he said the part was mine it truly felt like I was in a dream.

Jacques Audiard says he didn’t know much about you when you first met. Do you think his relative obliviousness to your fame and public persona had an effect on your working relationship?

I loved that he didn’t really know who I was, and I think if anything it benefited me. He looked at me solely as an actress. There was no assumption, and it made me feel as though I really earned the role.

Selena Gomez
Courtesy of Kismet Movies

You have always danced, sang and acted. How intertwined are all these artistic fields for you?

I definitely act when I sing as I get lost in the lyrics and feel as though I am playing a character. I don’t consider myself the best dancer, but I love the release through music and how you can portray any story. Sad, happy, lonely, empowering… It all connects to one another. For this film, it was a crucial part of the character and a style of dancing I’ve never done before. It was very intricate and stunning.

Emilia Pérez is set in Mexico, your father’s country of origin. Growing up in Texas, what relationship did you have with Mexico, and more broadly Mexican culture?

My grandmother came to the U.S. from Mexico in 1973 in the back of a truck andbecame a citizen 18 years later. It wasn’t easy for her as she left a lot of her family in Mexico. My dad did such a great job of keeping me connected to my roots, everything from traditions and food to culture was always front and centre. And Mexico was just a car ride away for us.

How did you approach acting in Spanish for your role in Emilia Pérez, something you’ve never done before?

I’ve recorded music in Spanish, but I was much more nervous to speak Spanish forthe film. My character is Mexican American and that helped relive some of the stressof making sure everything sounded perfect.

Trans rights are being attacked all over the United States, and particularly in your home state of Texas. Do you consider Emilia Pérez a political movie, and how important was it for you to participate in telling that particular story, at this particular moment in American politics?

When I first read the script, I wanted to make sure the role of Emilia was portrayed by someone who had lived that life. It was important to me that a trans woman was given the opportunity because visibility matters.

Your character in Emilia Pérez is a very strong woman, who fights for her freedom to love whoever she wants. She is also transitioning, in a sense. Is it something you can relate to?

Yes. Now that I am in my 30s I am going through a lot of self-discoveries. It can be complicated and weird, but I’ve found it to be fulfilling and everything has gotten better with time. I feel wiser and much more self-aware.

What did you find most moving in her?

I can relate to how intensely she views everything. Whether it was passion or anger, she was fun to play because there was never a point where she was stable. She is also a mother, trying to be there for her children but also to live freely as a woman.

Where did you find the inspiration for that aspect of the role?

First, I adore children. I can’t answer this question fairly in relation to being a mother since I don’t have any, but I have an immense amount of respect for women because we can do it all. I looked at Zoe and would see what an amazing mother she is while also being an amazing actress.

Which scene were you most nervous about before shooting began?

I was most nervous about the dance number because I had never done that style of dance before. It was intense and I knew it was going to be hard on my body

Thank you Selena Gomez.

Keep following as we’re planning to bring you an interview shortly with the star of Emilia Pérez, a trans woman, Karla Sofía Gascón, whose performance has already received awards and accolades.

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