Eugenio Derbez has issued an apology to Selena Gomez after the singer-actress clapped back at him for criticizing her performance in Emilia Pérez.
Over the weekend, a clip from an upcoming episode of the Hablando de Cine podcast was shared on TikTok, where Derbez expressed his disapproval of Gomez’s Spanish in the film, given that she’s not fluent in the language. The actress plays Jessi del Monte in director Jacques Audiard’s musical crime thriller.
“Selena is indefensible,” the CODA star said of her performance at the time. “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?’”
Podcast host Gaby Meza agreed with Derbez, calling Gomez a “very talented actress” and “very good singer” but said “Spanish is neither her primary nor secondary language nor fifth. 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.”
Derbez added, “I’m glad you’re saying that because I was saying, ‘I can’t believe no one is talking about it?’”
The video eventually caught the Only Murders in the Building actress’ attention, and she decided to share her thoughts on his remarks. “I understand where you are coming from..I’m sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn’t take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie,” Gomez wrote in the comments.
Shortly after Gomez left her comments, Derbez took to his own TikTok account to “truly apologize for my careless comments.”
“They are indefensible and go against everything I stand for,” the Radical actor-producer wrote. “As Latinos, we should always support one another. There’s no excuse. I was wrong, and I deeply admire your career and your kind heart.”
Derbez continued, “Emilia Pérez deserves to be celebrated, not diminished by my thoughtless remarks. I’m walking away from this with an important lesson learned. While I understand if you cannot accept my apology, please know it comes from the heart.”
English (US) ·