Eugenio Derbez has apologized to Selena Gomez for criticizing her Spanish in the musical drama "Emilia Pérez."
The actor slammed Gomez's performance during an episode of the "Hablando de Cine" podcast. In the film, Gomez speaks Spanish despite not being fluent in the language.
"Selena is indefensible," Derbez said of the performance, according to Entertainment Weekly. "I was there [watching the movie] with people, and every time a scene came [with her in it], we looked at each other to say, 'Wow, what is this?'"
Podcast host Gaby Meza acknowledged Gomez's acting talent but said she felt her performance was impacted by her limited fluency in Spanish.
"I feel she doesn't know what she is saying, and if she doesn't know what she's saying, she can't give her acting any nuance," Meza said. "And that is why her performance is not only unconvincing but uncomfortable."
Derbez said that while he appreciated the film overall, he questioned why French director Jacques Audiard, who doesn't speak Spanish, was chosen to lead the project.
It was not long before his comments began circulating social media, drawing a response from Gomez.
"I understand where you are coming from," Gomez commented on a TikTok video of the interview. "I'm sorry, I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn't take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie."
Derbex responded within hours.
"Dear Selena, I truly apologize for my careless comments," he began. "They are indefensible and go against everything I stand for. As Latinos, we should always support one another. There's not excuse. I was wrong, and I deeply admire your career and your kind heart."
He continued, "'Emilia Pérez' deserves to be celebrated, not diminished by my thoughtless remarks. I'm walking away from this with an important lesson learned. While I understand if you cannot accept my apology, please know it comes from the heart."