Selena Gomez’s portrayal of a character in Emilia Pérez is actually harming or negatively impacting Hollywood’s efforts to promote inclusivity.
Let’s be real—Hollywood is all about that inclusive, progressive edge. But sometimes, what seems like an all-in move for diversity ends up looking more like a cheap imitating game. Selena Gomez’s portrayal of Emilia Pérez in the movie of the same name raises a major red flag on this front. It’s the kind of “Hey, we tried” effort that leaves audiences confused, wondering if the intentions were as good as the execution.
You see, Emilia Pérez has been showing up all over the place after snagging awards at the Golden Globes, and its storyline promises a lot: a journey of four remarkable women in Mexico, a cartel leader trying to live authentically, and an unappreciated lawyer caught in a web of deceit. But if you think this is just another crime thriller, well, think again!
The controversy of Emilia Pérez explained
As Karla Sofía Gascón, one of the lead actresses, described it (via Tudum), Emilia Pérez is “an action movie that’s not an action movie, a drama that’s not a drama, a comedy that’s not a comedy.” This oddball approach has earned it mixed reviews—a 76% critic score but only a 39% audience score (Rotten Tomatoes). So, what’s the deal here?
The movie prides itself on its progressive themes, like embracing trans issues and portraying powerful women. But critics are calling out its glaring flaws—especially when it comes to cultural representation and the portrayal of its trans lead. One review from Vox highlights how Emilia’s gender identity feels less like a genuine exploration and more like a disguise. There are moments in the film where it feels like “Tootsie or Mrs. Doubtfire”, where the “mask” slips and we’re left wondering if the film really gets it.
And wait—Mexico itself is depicted in such a one-dimensional way. The country is painted as a land of never-ending violence and misery, with stereotypical references to tequila and guacamole (via Forbes):
Emilia Pérez’s depiction of Mexican culture feels equally regressive and lazy. Mexico is presented as an inescapably violent and miserable place. Meanwhile, references to a character’s Mexican identity include smelling like tequila and guacamole. Little effort was seemingly put into ensuring that the film’s language was spoken properly. This has resulted in criticism of Gomez.
But it’s Selena Gomez’s involvement in the film that’s sparked particular outrage.
Selena Gomez’s Emilia Pérez: A missed opportunity for authenticity and inclusivity
Fans also vented about Selena Gomez’s portrayal of the character Jessi Del Monte in Emilia Pérez. They described her attempt at speaking Spanish as “atrocious” and complained that the accent she used was forced and inauthentic. The viewers further pointed out that Gomez was forced to use slang that only exaggerated how out of place her performance sounded.
To make matters worse, the other actors, who were native Spanish speakers, didn’t even bother to try and put on a Mexican accent. According to one fan, it would be like a French director making a movie about the U.S., with all the actors speaking in British accents. It’s a jarring, disjointed choice that undermines any genuine cultural representation the film might have aimed for.
Let’s read a few comments:
In trying to break barriers, Emilia Pérez ends up tripping over its own feet. It’s as if the film was made with the best of intentions—celebrating diverse voices, trans issues, and new forms of storytelling—but missed the mark when it came to truly respecting the cultures and identities it sought to represent.
So, what do you think? Is it time for Hollywood to step up its game? If inclusivity is the goal, the execution needs to be more thoughtful, more genuine, and far less… superficial. If Emilia Pérez was an attempt to give a voice to the marginalized, it may have missed the mark, with every misstep only amplifying the fact that it’s not enough to just try—it’s about doing it well!
Emilia Pérez can be streamed on Netflix.
