2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Kimberly Nhundu)
Selena Gomez is no stranger to the silver screen, and she's back in an offbeat crime thriller musical. Emilia Pérez, released on Netflix on November 13, follows the journeys of four women in Mexico as they seek to live more authentic lives. Gomez plays Jessi Del Monte, the wife of a feared cartel leader, Juan "Manitas" Del Monte.
The story focuses on Juan, who hires a lawyer to assist him by undergoing gender-affirming surgery and becoming Emilia. The ensemble cast won Best Actress awards at the 2024 Cannes Festival, and the film has already received an 81% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. As fans eagerly welcome the 32-year-old's return to the big screen, let us reintroduce her.
Early life and career Born on July 22 1992, Gomez was named after the famed singer Selena Quintanilla. She started acting in the early 2000s when she booked a role on the children's show Barney and Friends. She went on to feature in Spy Kids 3: Game Over, which starred Hollywood heavy hitters including Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas.
Her big break came in 2007 when she was cast as Alex Russo in Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place. The fantasy series, which aired from 2007 to 2012, cemented her as a teen star. The show has recently been rebooted for a spin-off series, Wizards Beyond Waverly Place, which premiered on October 29.
Speaking at the premiere, Gomez gushed: "This [Wizards of Waverly Place] is what gave me everything that I have today, and I'll never forget that this is where I started." Following her breakthrough, Gomez starred in films including Princess Protection Program, Spring Breakers and The Fundamentals of Caring. She is also a star in the Emmy-nominated series, Only Murders in the Building, which has just concluded its fourth season.
Famous friendships Beyond the screen, Gomez is an award-winning musician, raking in 38.8 million listeners on Spotify. As a key figure in pop music, she has been tied to a few famous faces.
Gomez and Taylor Swift have been friends since 2008, when they met while dating the Jonas Brothers - Swift was with Joe Jonas and Gomez with Nick Jonas. They have since run in similar circles and frequently appeared on red carpets together. Despite their long-term friendship, The Daily Mail recently reported that an inside source shared that Gomez has been keeping her distance from Swift's group.
Selena's health journey Gomez has been vocal about living with Lupus, an autoimmune disease, since 2015. In 2017 she received a kidney transplant from her best friend at the time Francia Raisa, following complications with the illness. She has also revealed that she cannot carry her own children due to health risks.
In an interview with Vanity Fair in September, the Disney star opened up: “I haven’t ever said this, but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children.” She explained: “I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.
” Her Apple TV documentary My Mind & Me further delves into the star's experience with fame and health struggles. She has received significant praise from fans and celebrities for increasing awareness of chronic illnesses. In a recent interview with Graham Norton, comedian Miranda Hart praised the singer for her vulnerability.
She confessed: “I watched Selena’s documentary and it gave me the courage to be vulnerable and share my feelings about my disease.” She added: “It kept me writing.” Hart has opened up about her struggle with Lyme disease in a new autobiography titled: I Haven't Been Entirely Honest with You.
Is Selena dating anyone? Yes, Gomez is in a relationship with music producer Benny Blanco. The pair confirmed their relationship in 2023 and have attended various Hollywood events together. Blanco has worked with industry giants, including Britney Spears, Bruno Mars and Rihanna .
Gomez has a string of famous exes, including Justin Bieber , The Weeknd and Zedd. Emilia Pérez is available to stream now on Netflix..
