Selena Gomez Says ‘Spring Breakers’ Was One of the First Times She Felt ‘What Art Can Feel Like’

Jacques Audiard’s Cannes drug-cartel musical “Emilia Pérez” celebrated its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Monday, September 9. The film won the Cannes Jury Prize and the Cannes Best Actress Prize for the four lead stars of Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Salda?a, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. The feature also was awarded the Cannes Soundtrack Award, with music by Clément Ducol and Camille.

At the TIFF red carpet, Gascón spoke to IndieWire about how the Cannes Best Actress Prize was affirming to her as an actress. “This prize in Cannes is one of the most important in our industry,” she shared.

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“I love this prize,” she continued. “I have this in the most beautiful place in my house and I’m not like other actresses that put it [by the] door [laughs]. I think that this recognition is the best and is one of the prizes that will be inside of me for my life.”

Gomez, who celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Harmony Korine’s “Spring Breakers” last year, reflected on the cult classic’s legacy. “I miss Harmony. It was wonderful,” she tells IndieWire.

“It was so long ago now, but I think that was one of the moments in my life that I felt like, ‘Oh, this is what art can feel like,’ she continued. “Not just the typical way I had been doing it my whole career. That’s when I got the bug. So to be honest, I’m just happy to be a part of such an audacious, special, and important movie.”

As for whether she’s listened to Charli XCX’s song of the same name, Gomez said, “Duh! Are you kidding me? I sent it to the girls [of the cast].”

Audiard tailored Gomez’s “Emilia Pérez” character to be Mexican-American to reflect the “Only Murders in the Building” star’s own heritage.

“Latinx [identity] in America is very similar to what my character is portraying, which is [speaking] English and Spanish at the same time,” Gomez told The Hollywood Reporter. “We were able to build the character, Jessi, around my ability, and I was so grateful for that. It allowed me to not only focus on just making sure I was speaking Spanish — I could be a little bit more free and focus on my performance. But it was probably the best experience that I’ve had on a set since ‘Spring Breakers.’ I’ve been very lucky to be in great projects, but those two have a special place in my heart, because it was something I was afraid to do. It was something I wanted to challenge myself [with].”

“Emilia Pérez” premieres in select theaters November 1 and will stream on Netflix November 13. Check out the trailer here.

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