Awards Circuit Podcast: Also on this episode, ‘The Sympathizer’ star Hoa Xuande, while the Roundtable tackles the key Emmy series categories
Selena Gomez, who continues to redefine her career as a multitalented singer, actress and producer, may soon be adding “Oscar contender” to the mix.
The “Only Murders in the Building” star has proven her acting prowess and demonstrated her versatility as a comedic performer alongside comedy legends Steve Martin and Martin Short in the mystery romp. And now, later this year, Gomez will be seen on the big screen via her Cannes best actress-winning performance (which she shared with her co-stars) in Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Perez.”
Only three Latinas have been nominated in the lead actress comedy category at the Emmys: Rita Moreno (who was nominated in 1983 for “9 to 5”), America Ferrera (who won in 2007 for “Ugly Betty” and received another nom in 2008) and Jenna Ortega (last year for “Wednesday”). Gomez’s role as Mabel has been one of the show’s bright spots. The comedy categories are undoubtedly competitive, with returning winners Jean Smart (“Hacks”), Ayo Edebiri (“The Bear”), and Quinta Brunson (“Abbott Elementary”). Nonetheless, Gomez is within range of receiving her first acting nom.
Also serving as one of the executive producers for “Only Murders,” she’s only the third Latina ever nominated in the outstanding comedy series category, following Salma Hayek for ABC’s “Ugly Betty” in 2007. The other was Cuban producer Marlis Pujol, who was nominated for two consecutive years for Netflix’s “The Kominsky Method” in 2020 and 2021. In addition, only one Latina woman has won as a producer in any of the top series categories in history (Celia D. Costas for “Angels in America” in 2004). If nominated a third time this year, she will become the most nominated Latina producer in the category’s history.
Proudly identifying as a third-generation American-Mexican (her father is Mexican and her paternal grandparents were born in Monterrey), Gomez’s inclusion is fresh air for Latin representation in Hollywood.
As for Audiard’s Spanish-language movie, which Netflix acquired, Gomez plays Jessi, alongside Zoe Saldaña (as Rita) and Karla Sofía Gascón as the title character in “Emilia Pérez.” The film, about three women who become forever bonded by their traumatic experiences in Mexico City’s cartel-run underbelly, earned a passionate nine-minute standing ovation at Cannes. Netflix is planning an orchestrated awards run for the movie, which could put Gomez in the running for her first Oscar nomination.
