Selena Gomez Embraces Wild Audition Experience for 'Emilia Perez'

Selena Gomez recently opened up about her unforgettable audition for the film Emilia Perez, where she portrayed Jessi Del Monte, the wife of a cartel leader. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the audition pushed Gomez to unleash her creativity in ways she never expected.

"I had no idea the concept he was going for... 'Act drunk and throw your shoes if you want... just go crazy.' And I was like, 'Oh? OK,'" Gomez recalled. During the audition, she performed a pivotal musical sequence called 'Bienvenida,' where her character expresses frustration with her spouse’s existence.

Gomez explained how she embraced Audiard's directive to be more expressive. "I did it once, and Audiard was like, 'Go crazier.' And I went totally for it. I was standing on furniture, and I blacked out, but I was just singing my heart out and dancing like a mad woman, I guess a drunk mad woman -- and it was a very crazy experience," she shared.

Gomez expressed her gratitude for being chosen for the role, saying, "I was honoured when he decided to ultimately go with me."

Emilia Perez has been selected as France's entry for the Best International Feature category at the upcoming 2025 Academy Awards. The film features a talented cast, including Zoe Saldana, Adriana Paz, and Spanish actress Karla Sofia Gascon. It tells the story of a Mexican drug lord, portrayed by Gascon, who enlists the help of Saldana's character, a lawyer, to undergo gender-affirming surgery.

The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim, winning the Jury Prize and a shared Best Actress award for its ensemble cast. When asked if she provided any vocal training to her co-stars, Gomez humorously noted, "They didn't need it. First off, did you see Zoe? That girl does not need any tips. If anything, I need the tips."

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