Selena Gomez’s ‘Emilia Pérez’ Transformation Surprised Zoe Saldaña

The Massive Image

• Collider’s Perri Nemiroff speaks with
  Emilia Pérez
  stars Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña forward of the movie’s theatrical and Netflix launch.
• Jacques Audiard’s
  Emilia Pérez
  is the story of a Mexican cartel chief earlier than and after gender-affirming surgical procedure, and the intertwined lives of these round her.
• On this interview, Saldaña and Gomez focus on pivotal scenes, an intense audition, and share their expertise engaged on set collectively.

Jacques Audiard‘s critically acclaimed Emilia Pérez is not a traditional movie by any stretch of the creativeness. Audiard is well-known for exploring style all through his filmography, and he actually did not let a single style outline this daring story, co-penning a script that introduces the world to Karla Sofía Gascón‘s Emilia, a Mexican cartel chief who fakes her personal loss of life for the prospect at rebirth.

On the 2024 Cannes Movie Pageant, not solely did Gascón, the movie’s lead, obtain the Greatest Actress Award, however her co-stars Adriana Paz, Selena Gomez, and Zoe Saldaña additionally took residence the distinguished honor. If that does not persuade you this operatic musical hits all the suitable notes, I do not know what would. Along with nailing their performances, these ladies took the display by storm with authentic musical numbers that even gave a Grammy nominee and a Hollywood A-lister pause.

For the restricted theatrical launch of Emilia Pérez, forward of its Netflix premiere on November 13th, Collider’s Perri Nemiroff had the chance to sit down down with the forged. Throughout this interview with Saldaña and Gomez, they share the scenes that impacted them most, together with one particularly intense audition. In a movie stuffed with heavy moments and cathartic releases, Saldaña and Gomez additionally pinpoint the pivotal moments within the film that required probably the most braveness. You may watch the total dialog within the video above or learn the interview transcript under.

Selena Gomez Misplaced Herself within the Audition for ‘Emilia Pérez’

PERRI NEMIROFF: Selena, you had been speaking about your audition scene and talked about, “I form of blacked out as a result of it was such a passionate scene that I acquired misplaced in it.” Do you keep in mind what the scene was and what you linked to in it, even out of context of the total characteristic?

SELENA GOMEZ: It was truly performing “Bienvenido,” which is likely one of the musical numbers. I had no context of how he actually wished to shoot this. I keep in mind he described it to me, at first he stated, “Be drunk,” and I used to be like, “Okay.” He goes, “Act drunk and be free and annoyed.” Then he was like, “Okay, be indignant.” He goes, “Okay, toss something.” And I simply keep in mind he would throw all this stuff at me, and I used to be like, “Okay.” Then I simply keep in mind grabbing every thing, and slowly, he constructed up the audition, and I simply misplaced myself, and it was a lot enjoyable. It was actually enjoyable. I used to be, like, throwing my sneakers. [Laughs]

What a wonderful expertise. I really like after they launch issues like that after the very fact. I’d like to see that!

GOMEZ: Oh my gosh, I wouldn’t!

[Laughs] I will respect that and simply benefit from the film in full then.

Zoe Saldaña Discovered Inspiration for Her Efficiency By way of Her Character

“I noticed that I used to be precisely the place I wanted to be, each as myself and as Rita.”

A query for each of you based mostly on one thing you stated, Zoe. You had been speaking about how you liked the script, you liked the songs, however then after that, you needed to muster the braveness to imagine that you possibly can do it. For every of you, which explicit scene within the film required probably the most braveness, and the place did you discover it?

ZOE SALDAÑA: Oh, I really feel like each piece that I did from “El Alegato” to being there with Wasserman, the reunion with Emilia, after which in the end with “El Mal.” However there have been so many scenes that weren’t sung or danced that had been additionally scenes that I simply felt like, “Oh my god, how can I do that?” Karla [Sofía Gascón] is such a drive of nature, and I’d get misplaced simply watching her. After which I noticed Rita views her that means, you already know? Emilia is such a drive of nature and Rita simply will get misplaced watching her and simply following her and ensuring she would not get caught, and ensuring she will get what she wants. So, I noticed that I used to be precisely the place I wanted to be, each as myself and as Rita.

GOMEZ: I believe it was the scene with Karla. I’d say the tip, with out giving something away, was actually transferring. I keep in mind feeling her complete physique weight on me and her telling me this so fantastically. I felt frozen, and I might form of inform that my physique was having this visceral response, and I keep in mind considering, “That is so particular and heartbreaking on the identical time.” It was so unhappy for me however in a wonderful means.

The Forged of ‘Emilia Pérez’ Is a Drive to Be Reckoned With

I am obsessive about forcing artists to provide their collaborators flowers. Are you able to every title a time on this set when both a co-star or somebody behind the scenes did one thing that wowed you and made you cease and go, “My god, I am so happy with you and what you probably did proper there?”

GOMEZ: Oh gosh, many issues.

SALDAÑA: Oh my god.

GOMEZ: I believe it occurs extra now than something. I really like watching the success that every one my co-stars are receiving and the entire accolades, and simply even the way in which you’re with individuals. I believe it is so particular, and I really feel very fortunate to be with all of you guys.

SALDAÑA: Likewise. To see this woman carry out, she’s very, very shy once you meet her in individual, and as quickly as she’s strolling from her chair to set, it is like, “Selena, we’re prepared for you.” She places her water down, walks in, after which begins remodeling into Jessi. This lady, this child crammed with abandonment and recklessness and rage, and you are like, “What the…?” [Laughs] After which, “Okay, we acquired that,” Jacques says, “Merci, merci, Selena,” after which she goes and he or she simply sits down, and also you’re like, “What was that?!” [Laughs]

A drive, all of you on this film. I can not say this sufficient, congratulations. You deserve all the nice that is occurred to date — and way more coming your means very quickly.

Emilia Pérez is at present in theaters for a restricted launch and will probably be streaming on Netflix starting November 13.

Get Tickets