Selena Gomez clinched the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival last night for her role in the Spanish film Emilia Pérez, per nme.com. The accolade, announced on May 25, is shared with her co-stars Karla Sofia Gascón, Adriana Paz and Zoe Saldaña.
Directed by Jacques Audiard, renowned for A Prophet and Rust and Bone, Emilia Pérez is a musical crime comedy that explores the unconventional tale of a woman assisting an escaped Mexican cartel leader with sex reassignment surgery. The film premiered on May 18, receiving one of the festival’s most prolonged standing ovations and also securing the Jury Prize.
The film has now been acquired by Netflix.
This prestigious win underscores Gomez’s shift from her pop music roots to a dedicated acting career. In January, Gomez hinted at possibly quitting music to focus on acting. This new direction is further emphasised by her upcoming role as veteran musician Linda Ronstadt in a biopic and her return to Disney’s Wizards of Waverly Place in a sequel series.
Despite her move toward acting, Gomez has not completely abandoned music. In February, she released “Love On,” her first single of 2024, sparking speculation about a forthcoming fourth album.
Gomez has also been vocal about her mental health, choosing to limit her online presence despite being the most followed woman on Instagram. “I disabled all my comments on my photos on Instagram for only my friends,” she explained, emphasising the importance of setting personal boundaries.
Reflecting on her 2022 documentary My Mind & Me during a SXSW panel, Gomez revealed her struggles and the internal debate about sharing her journey publicly. Her candidness about mental health continues to resonate with fans worldwide.
This year, Gomez also revealed her admiration for Kurt Cobain, sharing with Jimmy Kimmel her fascination with the late musician, which included adopting his hairstyle and repeatedly watching his interviews and performances.
•Featured image: Selena at the 77th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2024 in Cannes, France/Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)
