Selena Gomez says “some of the magic has disappeared” amid ‘Emilia Perez’ controversy

Selena Gomez addressd controversy over the film ‘Emilia Perez’, even as co-star Karla Sofia Gascon apologised for offensive comments

Actor and singer Selena Gomez addressed the recent controversy around her film Emilia Perez. While attending the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, Gomez said she feels the "magic has disappeared" with the film following the controversy over her co-star Karla Sofia Gascon's offensive comments in resurfaced X posts, reported People.

Gomez said, “I’m good. I’m really good. Some of the magic has disappeared, but I choose to continue to be proud of what I’ve done, and I’m just grateful. I live with no regrets and I would do this movie over and over again if I could,” she added.

Karla Sofia Gascon earlier spoke about the resurfacing of a past social media post where she criticised her Emilia Perez co-star, Selena Gomez. In a heartfelt Instagram post on February 1, Gascon addressed her controversial comments, alongside an apology for her previous posts, which have sparked backlash for containing Islamophobic, anti-Black, and other derogatory remarks.

The 52-year-old actress reflected on her personal growth and sought forgiveness for her past actions, insisting that her words were taken out of context and misunderstood.

”I have many things to learn in this world, the forms [in which I learn] are my biggest defect,” Gascon wrote, offering a sincere apology to those hurt by her comments. Life has taught me something I never wanted to learn: it’s clear to me that no matter how much my message is my message, without using the proper words, [the message] can convert into another,” she added.

Along with her apology, Gascon shared an image of the Nichiren Buddhist symbol, signifying her commitment to her faith, which she credits for helping her transform her life. ”As with Emilia Perez: We can all do better. Me too,” she wrote. She also reflected on her rapid rise to fame, emphasizing the greater responsibility she now feels, recognising that her voice is no longer her own but belongs to the many people who feel represented and hopeful through her journey.

Gascon’s post also addressed the resurfaced criticism about her 2022 X post, in which she referred to Gomez as a “rich rat” while commenting on Gomez’s rumoured feud with Hailey Bieber. The post made headlines when it was shared publicly, drawing significant attention and criticism.