Selena Gomez is shining. At 32, the former Disney star is gaining awards season buzz for her work on writer-director Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez,” the Spanish-language musical film that won the Jury Prize at Cannes in May, as well as as the collective best actress award for Gomez and her co-stars Zoe Saldana and Karla Sofía Gascón.
Without giving too much away, because this film is best viewed without understanding the plot, the film follows a lawyer in Mexico City who goes to work for a drug kingpin and his family.
I met Gomez at the film’s Los Angeles premiere on Monday night at the Egyptian Theater.
If you were starring in Barney, would you ever imagine that you would be on a red carpet right now being asked about receiving an Oscar for a Spanish-language musical?
Maybe I never believed you. Believe it or not, even at that age, I could watch the Oscars every year with my mom. It’s pretty crazy to consider. However, I’m trying to jinx it. In fact, I’m just very happy. More than anything, I’m so happy that people are receiving this with an open mind and an open heart. I’m actually grateful for this experience.
What was it like singing in the film compared to the singing you’ve done in your music career?
It was very different. Of course I released an album in Spanish and I really enjoy performing and singing in Spanish, but it was very raw. They didn’t use auto-tune, so everything was very raw and real and that doesn’t mean everything sounded good, but it was good.
What was probably the hardest part of filming?
It was Spanish for me. I wish I had more time, but I’m grateful for the support I was able to receive and I hope I did some of it correctly.
What’s the next style of film you need to make?
If this film taught me anything, I don’t think it’s style. I believe it will be an inspiration for filmmakers, actors, staff, writers. I’m wondering if there is a world that can truly feel genderless. I would like to try many different questions.
Can you see yourself directing at some point?
No, but. There are a lot of things I need to study.
What about writing?
I write. I write for fun. I believe this is actually very cathartic. And I like writing down my goals, but I also have a lot to study there.
And you realize what your followers always ask me to ask.
New music.
Yes!
I currently have nothing, but I will say that music will always be a part of me. So I don’t think any action is happening right now, but it will always be in my life.
What’s it like having Madonna on your screen? (Madonna was a surprise guest at the recent Emilia Pérez screening at the New York Film Festival.)
Actually, that was sweet. She was very formal. She really cried and it was very special.
Check out more photos from the premiere of “Emilia Pérez” and after the celebration at Mom Wolf restaurant below.