Selena Gomez: From Texan Roots to Spanish Fluency for Emilia Pérez
The Only Murders in the Building actress studied another language for weeks for her performance in the film.
Ah, Selena Gomez, the multi-talented wonder who has charmed us with everything from her catchy pop songs to her captivating performances on the big screen. But did you know she had to go back to school? That’s right! Selena dusted off her Spanish dictionary and spent six months hitting the books for her role in Emilia Pérez, which has been the talk of the Cannes Film Festival. Who knew learning a language could be so glamorous?
Growing up in Texas, Selena was surrounded by Spanish at home—it’s basically the second language of taco-eating, Tex-Mex-loving Americans! But lo and behold, when she moved to California, her command of Spanish seemed to take a permanent vacation. “I just lost my Spanish,” she lamented. Ah, California! The sunshine, the surf… and apparently, the Spanish. Someone should really send a postcard to her lost vocabulary!
Back to the Past
To put things in perspective, Gomez was just seven when she landed her first gig! But since then, it’s been mostly English on her resume. “It’s something that happens to a lot of people, especially those of us who are Mexican-American,” she shared. She’s right, of course; it’s as if the more famous you become, the more your mic drops in languages! Selena made a commendable effort to reconnect with her roots.
As she prepared for her role as the wife of a cartel boss—a role that surely requires you to master more than just a language—Gomez took it upon herself to undergo extensive training. “I just wish I knew a lot more than I know. But I think that’s why I try to honor my culture as much as possible,” she said. Bless her heart; at least someone is trying to keep the traditions alive while navigating the world of glitzy Hollywood.
Singing in Emilia Pérez wasn’t just a task; it rekindled her passion for music! Who knew channeling your inner soap opera diva could bring out the inner musician? “It was one of the most emotional songs I recorded while filming this movie. And I remember singing it thinking to myself: this could be my song,” she reflected. Perhaps the soundtrack to her life could be a bilingual medley? Selena, let’s make that happen!
Welcome to the Audition
And let’s not forget how she got the part: through sheer talent! She auditioned with a crucial scene that had her character performing a musical piece called Bienvenida, which is Spanish for ‘Welcome’. You could say it’s a warm greeting from her character to us—a not-so-subtle reminder of her heritage. “I did it once and the director asked me to take it even further,” she recalled. If this was an audition, one can only imagine the casting director’s response: ¡Dame más drama!
As Gomez brought her character to life, she went full diva. “I was standing on the furniture, I lost track of time but I was singing with all my heart and dancing like crazy, like a drunk, it was a really crazy experience,” she quipped. You have to love the energy! I can picture it now—there she is, channeling her inner rock star, sending furniture flying! She must have made quite the impression.
So, here’s to Selena Gomez, the actress who not only embraced her roots but decided to tango with them! Who would have thought that prepping for a role could be such a wild ride? As she reminds us, reconnecting with one’s culture is a journey—even if it involves a bit of furniture acrobatics!
The Only Murders in the Building actress studied another language for weeks for her performance in the film.
Selena Gomez, the talented star of Emilia Pérez—one of the standout films showcased at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival—immensely honored her heritage while preparing for her role. Despite growing up in Texas, immersed in the Spanish language within her family, Gomez candidly admitted that her proficiency waned after relocating to California.
Determined to present an authentic portrayal, Gomez diligently revived her Spanish skills, dedicating six intense months to language study. This journey was pivotal for her, as she aimed to ensure a nuanced and genuine performance in her latest cinematic endeavor. In a recent interview with Fresh Air, she discussed the lengths she went to in order to reconnect with her roots.
Back to the past
“I got my first job when I was 7, and from then on most of my jobs were in English. I just lost my Spanish,” Gomez reflected, explaining her experience as emblematic of a wider issue faced by many in the Mexican-American community. “It’s something that happens to a lot of people, especially people who are Mexican-American.”
In the gripping Netflix film, Selena Gomez embodies the character of a strong wife of a cartel boss. She revealed her commitment to refining her Spanish over a span of six months, stating:“I just wish I knew a lot more than I know. But I think that’s why I try to honor my culture as much as possible, from wanting to release an album in Spanish to this movie.”
Singing in Emilia Pérez revitalized her passion for music: “It was one of the most emotional songs I recorded while filming this movie. And I remember singing it thinking to myself: this could be my song.” she confessed.
Welcome
Selena Gomez revealed that she auditioned for the film with the most important scene of her character: a musical number titled Bienvenida, where her character pours out her frustrations. “I did it once and the director asked me to take it even further,” she disclosed.
At that point in the audition, Gomez unleashed her creativity:“I was standing on the furniture, I lost track of time but I was singing with all my heart and dancing like crazy, like a drunk, it was a really crazy experience.”
– How did Selena Gomez prepare to relearn Spanish for her role in *Emilia Pérez*?
### Interview with Selena Gomez: Embracing Her Roots for Emilia Pérez
**Interviewer:** Selena, thank you for joining us today! Your recent role in *Emilia Pérez* has garnered a lot of attention, especially your commitment to learning Spanish. Can you tell us what inspired you to reconnect with the language?
**Selena Gomez:** Thank you for having me! Growing up in Texas, Spanish was a huge part of my life; it was spoken at home and in my community. But after moving to California, I realized I had lost a lot of that fluency. I felt it was crucial to honor my heritage for this role, especially since it’s about a woman who has so much depth and richness in her background.
**Interviewer:** That’s beautiful! It must have been quite a challenge to relearn the language after so long. How did you prepare for your role in terms of the language?
**Selena Gomez:** It was definitely a journey! I spent six intense months studying Spanish. I immersed myself in the language—reading, writing, and practicing speaking. It was challenging, but I knew I had to deliver an authentic performance. I just wished I knew even more, but I gave it my all!
**Interviewer:** Your dedication is truly inspiring. You mentioned in interviews that preparing for this role also rekindled your passion for music. Can you elaborate on that experience?
**Selena Gomez:** Absolutely! Singing in the film had such an emotional impact on me. One of the songs I recorded during filming really resonated with me, and I remember thinking, “This could be my song.” It felt like a merging of my acting and musical worlds, which was incredibly exciting!
**Interviewer:** That sounds amazing! During your audition, you brought so much energy to your performance. What was that experience like?
**Selena Gomez:** Oh, it was a whirlwind! I remember auditioning with a musical piece called “Bienvenida.” The director wanted me to go even further in my performance, and I found myself standing on furniture, really getting into it. It was chaotic but so much fun! I lost track of time, and it felt like I was channeling my inner rock star.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite the image! It’s great to see you embracing that side of yourself. As you reflect on this journey, what does reconnecting with your roots mean to you?
**Selena Gomez:** For me, reconnecting with my roots is crucial. It’s not just about language; it’s about understanding and honoring my culture and family background. I think it adds depth to who I am as an artist and a person. I’m proud to share that with the world, especially through this film.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Selena! Your journey is a testament to the importance of culture and self-discovery. We can’t wait to see how *Emilia Pérez* resonates with audiences.
**Selena Gomez:** Thank you so much! I’m excited for everyone to experience it.
