Last month, Selena Gomez premiered her new movie, 'Emilia Pérez', alongside Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón. And it has become a hot topic of discussion, with fans expressing mixed opinions about her performance. A particular point of contention is her accent, which some viewers found lacking in authenticity.
- Fans are divided over Selena's accent
- It's all about authenticity vs. interpretation
- Fans discuss language representation online
Fans Divided Over Selena's Accent
One fan expressed their disappointment, stating it "broke my heart seeing her comment," a sentiment that resonated with many, as evidenced by over 25,000 likes. Another fan, however, expressed admiration for both the movie and Gomez, adding, "I loved the movie and Selena Gomez."
The debate has brought to light the differing perspectives on how accents should be portrayed in film. Some fans argue that Gomez's character, being from the United States, justified her accent.
Appearing on an upcoming episode of the 'Hablando de Cine' con podcast, translated from Spanish by the Hollywood Reporter, Eugenio said, "Selena is indefensible. I was there [watching the movie] with people, and every time a scene came [with her in it], we looked at each other to say, 'Wow, what is this?'"
"I mean her character was from the states so I think her accent was great for her character," one person argued. However, others see room for improvement and view the criticism as constructive.
One comment highlighted the importance of matching emotion and accents, stating, "There is a difference between speaking a language monotone, not matching the accent/emotion. VS actually matching emotion and using the accents in phrases, this is crucial when you speak Spanish."
The discussion extends beyond Gomez's performance to broader issues of language representation in cinema. Some fans appreciate the effort to portray multilingual characters authentically, while others emphasize the need for accuracy.
"He has an accent but he KNOWS what he’s saying, he’s not just reading the words," one fan stressed, pointing out the importance of understanding and conveying the language's nuances. Another comment, which garnered significant attention with 13,000 likes, read, "Thank God someone finally is talking about this!!!! I 100% agree.
Host Gaby Meza called Selena "very talented," noting her Emmy nomination for 'Only Murders in the Building'. But when it comes to Selena's performance in 'Emilia', Gaby found it "unconvincing."
"Spanish is neither her primary nor secondary language nor fifth," Gaby noted. "And that’s why I feel she doesn’t know what she is saying, and if she doesn’t know what she’s saying, she can’t give her acting any nuance. … And that is why her performance is not only unconvincing but uncomfortable."
Well, Selena saw them talking about her after the clip was shared on TikTok — and she quickly hit the comments to respond. "I understand where you are coming from," she began. "I'm sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given."
Selena has openly spoken about how her Spanish heritage influences her music and artistic endeavors. In recent years, she has embraced her Latin roots more prominently, especially through her music. Her 2020 Spanish-language EP, 'Revelación', was a milestone in her career.
The EP not only showcased her growing connection to Latin music but also highlighted her vocal abilities in Spanish, marking a significant shift as she embraced the genre more seriously. The release was a success, and Selena received praise for her authentic approach to Latin pop, blending her familiar pop sound with reggaeton and other Latin rhythms.
Selena's pride in her Mexican heritage is evident in her public appearances and interviews, where she often speaks about how her background has shaped her.
Also interesting:
Hot in red!
She’s been a role model for many in the Latin community, using her platform to advocate for Latinx representation in entertainment. Beyond her music, Selena’s connection to her roots remains a powerful part of her identity, and she's been vocal about how important it is for her to honor her heritage while exploring different facets of her career.
