Selena Gomez responds to 'Emilia Pérez' criticism: 'I did the best I could'

Selena Gomez has defended her role in the buzzy new Netflix film "Emilia Pérez" amid criticism from a fellow actor.

The "Only Murders in the Building" star, 32, responded on TikTok to comments from "CODA" actor Eugenio Derbez, who slammed her performance in the movie. Gomez, who is not fluent in Spanish, speaks and sings Spanish in the musical starring Zoe Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón.

In a clip from the "Hablando de Cine con" podcast shared on TikTok, Derbez, speaking Spanish, described Gomez's performance as "indefensible" and said that as he watched the movie, he thought, "Wow, what is this?' "

The actor agreed with host Gaby Meza, who felt Gomez was unable to give nuance to her performance because Spanish isn't her primary language and she didn't understand what she was saying.

Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox.

Gomez addressed the criticism in a comment on the TikTok video.

"I understand where you are coming from. I'm sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given," the Grammy-nominated singer and actor wrote. "Doesn't take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie."

Derbez responded by apologizing to Gomez. He wrote on TikTok that his "careless comments" went against "everything I stand for," adding, "There's no excuse. I was wrong, and I deeply admire your career and your kind heart."

Emilia Pérez': Selena Gomez was 'so nervous' about first Spanish-speaking role

"Emilia Pérez," which follows a lawyer (Saldaña) hired by a cartel boss (Gascón) who wants to undergo gender-confirming surgery, received acclaim when it premiered in May at Cannes Film Festival. The film is in the running for numerous Oscar nominations. Gomez, who plays the title character's wife, shared Cannes' best actress prize with co-stars Saldaña, Gascón and Adriana Paz.

But reactions on social media were more critical when the film hit Netflix in November. A viral X post shared a six-second clip from one of Gomez's scenes and slammed her for "thinking this is an acceptable way to speak Spanish."

Others defended the actress by pointing out her lack of fluency fits the role. A community note was added to the X post stating, "Selena's character, Jessi Del Monte, is American and Spanish is not her first language. The film makes it clear about that."

Latinas in Hollywood: Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón feted at Netflix event

Gomez told NPR's "Fresh Air" in November that she spoke Spanish when she was younger but lost fluency in the language, so she took six months of lessons to prepare for the movie.

"I got my first job at 7, and most of my jobs from that point on were English," she said. "And I just lost (my Spanish). That's kind of the case for a lot of people, especially Mexican American people."

But Gomez told Entertainment Weekly that while she "may not be fluent" in Spanish, that "doesn't make me less proud or less Mexican in my eyes."

(This story has been updated with new information.)

Contributing: Edward Segarra

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Selena Gomez responds after Eugenio Derbez pans 'Emilia Pérez' role