Selena Gomez and Cast Members Shine Bright as Cannes Best Actress Winners

Selena Gomez

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Selena Gomez was thrilled to hear that she had won the Best Actress Award at Cannes Film Festival. On Saturday, May 25th, she expressed her excitement over the phone. Zoe Saldaña called to share the good news that Gomez, along with Karla Sofia Gascón and Adriana Paz, had all been honored with the award for their roles in Emilia Pérez.

Selena Gomez, the singer of "Single Soon," found out the news while she was in New York City. She was enjoying a picnic with friends in Central Park when she received the call. Meanwhile, Gascón was still in France to receive the honor at the closing ceremony, where Emilia Pérez also received the prestigious Jury Prize.

On Saturday, Gomez expressed her gratitude on Instagram Story, saying, "Thank you SO much [Cannes Film Festival] and the whole board."

Barbie director Greta Gerwig, who served as the Cannes 2024 jury president, shared that the voters found it difficult to pick just one star from Emilia Pérez. The film revolves around a drug lord named Gascón who enlists the help of a lawyer named Saldaña for gender confirmation surgery.

When asked about why all four women were awarded Best Actress, Gerwig explained that the film highlighted the unique bond between the sisters. Despite their differences, they complemented each other throughout the movie. She felt that each actress shined in their own way, and separating them would diminish the magic they created together.

Gerwig mentioned that the Cannes jury was impressed by how well they collaborated as a group. She expressed, "I believe each of them is exceptional on their own, but when they come together, they create something extraordinary."

Actress Lily Gladstone, who was also a jury member, shared a similar sentiment when they announced the award. She explained, "We felt that it wouldn't be right to single out individual performances when the real magic comes from their collective harmony. Therefore, this year we decided to recognize the Best Actresses as a group," at the closing ceremony of Flowers of the Killer Moon.

Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, premiered at the French film festival one week prior, and it received a nine-minute standing ovation that left Gomez and her costars in tears.

"Thank you Cannes!" wrote the Only Murders in the Building star on Instagram on May 18. "I'm so honored to be a small part of something so special in Emilia Pérez — Jacques, thank you from the bottom of my heart for believing in me. @zoesaldana @karsiagascon @edgarramirez25 and every single person apart of this film absolutely blew me away. Love you guys."

Gomez had the opportunity to act in Spanish in the musical, which was a new experience for her. In an interview with AP on May 22, she humbly expressed, “I am honored to be a part of it. I’m not as happy with what I feel like I could’ve done in Spanish.” Despite this, she remains grateful for the chance and hopes it doesn't affect her performance. She acknowledged the challenge but was eager to be a part of the project.

Saldaña, a native Spanish speaker, praised Gomez's dedication. She commended Gomez for her hard work and ability to deliver her lines with emotion, despite the language barrier. Saldaña expressed, “You did such a marvelous job, and she knew her lines. And the language never got in between the emotion that she was sharing as Jessie so we were all so impressed.”

Editor's P/S:

Selena Gomez's triumph at the Cannes Film Festival is a testament to her versatility and dedication as an artist. Her role in "Emilia Pérez," alongside Karla Sofia Gascón and Adriana Paz, showcased her ability to portray complex characters with depth and sensitivity. The film's exploration of gender identity and solidarity resonated with the jury, leading to the unprecedented decision to award all four women the Best Actress Award.

Gomez's journey to this accolade has been marked by her willingness to step outside of her comfort zone. Her performance in Spanish and her collaboration with a diverse cast and crew demonstrate her passion for storytelling and her commitment to authenticity. The recognition she has received at Cannes is a well-deserved acknowledgment of her talent and her dedication to her craft.