WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Emilia Pérez.
Netflix's crime comedy musical Emilia Pérez features Selena Gomez's career-best film performance as the unstoppable Jessi Del Monte. Directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard (Rust and Bone, The Sisters Brothers), the genre-blending film delivers innovative music numbers and choreography infused with a gut-wrenching story about unfulfilled desire and regret. Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Karla Sofía Gascón lead the cast of Emilia Pérez, which won the Best Actress Ensemble award at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. Gomez's Jessi plays the wife of the powerful and dangerous cartel leader, Manitas Del Monte.
Gomez, 32, rose to prominence as an actress from her hit Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place (2007-2012) after appearing in Spy Kids 3: Game Over (2003), The Suite Life of Zach & Cody (2006), and Hannah Montana (2007-2008). Besides creating and collaborating on massive songs such as "It Ain't Me (with Kygo)", "Wolves (with Marshmello)", and "Love You To Love Me", Gomez has starred in several feature films, including Spring Breakers (2012), Hotel Transylvania (2012), Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising (2016), and Dolitte (2020). She currently stars in the Emmy-award-winning comedy series Only Murders in the Building alongside Steve Martin and Martin Short.
Selena Gomez's Performance In Emilia Pérez Is Her Best Yet
Gomez's Jessi is fierce and evoking in every frame
Selena Gomez plays the electric and unpredictable Jessi in Emilia Pérez, marking a new high for the accomplished singer and actress. Jessi is the promiscuous wife of Manitas who Saldaña's Rita Moro Castro has to manage and range as Emilia undergoes her various operations during her physical transition. Although Gomez has the least screentime of the three star actresses in the film, she makes a fierce and evoking impression in every frame she's in. She also has two original songs as part of the Emilia Pérez official soundtrack, one of which, titled "Mi Camino" is a top contender for the Best Original Song Oscar.
Gomez revealed how her role in Emilia Pérez helped her connect to her Mexican heritage. As a non-native Spanish speaker, Gomez was committed to learning the language and gave her very best effort to the early Best Picture contender. "I may not be fluent, but that doesn't make me less proud or less Mexican in my eyes. I think it's about what my last name has always meant to me: it's my family" (via Entertainment Weekly). She has also stated that she's open to taking on more Spanish-speaking roles after Emilia Pérez. "I was so excited, and the result was life-giving. I feel like whether it's music or if it's a part of a show or a movie, I am completely open."
This Is The Follow-Up To Selena Gomez's Spring Breakers Role We've Been Waiting For
Gomez hasn't had a movie role this compelling since 2012
Gomez's role as Jessi in Emilia Pérez is the most daring and exhilarating role of her film career, which is arguably the exact type of role that the former Disney star needed. Gomez makes an entirely convincing Jessi and feels like the best possible choice for the role. What's even more impressive is the fact that she only sings two of the songs on the soundtrack. It speaks volumes about Gomez's performance that her acting abilities make a stronger impression than her singing in a musical. While she's had some notable performances in the past, Gomes reached new heights as an actress in Emilia Pérez.
Before Emilia Pérez, Gomez's performance in the early A24 film Spring Breakers (2012) might still have marked her career-best performance in a film. She has certainly developed herself as an actress on the critically acclaimed series Only Murders in the Building, which earned her first-ever Emmy nomination in 2024. Apart from that, Gomez hasn't stirred much buzz around her past film or television roles but Emilia Pérez has already started to change that. While Spring Breakers featured Gomez as part of an ensemble, Emilia Pérez provided Gomez with a more distinguished and compelling character that allowed her to flourish like never before.
Will Selena Gomez Receive An Oscar Nomination?
She's more likely to get a Golden Globe nomination
Image via Netflix
Gomez is sparking some early Supporting Actress Oscar buzz for Emila Pérez. However, a nomination is likely the best that she could attain given the exceptional performance of her co-star Zoe Saldaña in the film, who is utilized much more than Gomez. Saldaña is currently Variety's frontrunner for the 2025 Academy Award for Supporting Actress, followed by Saoirse Ronan in Blitz, Isabella Rossellini in Conclave, Danielle Deadwyler in The Piano Lesson, and Ariana Grande in Wicked. She may have a better shot at picking up a Golden Globe nomination in the Comedy or Musical category for Emilia Pérez, which would be well deserved.
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, Variety
