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Selena Gomez sings and dances to the rhythm of her own drum in the award -winning musical thriller Emilia Pérezwhere he plays Jessi del Monte, a rebel woman on a radical transformation trip. His moving performance, both raw and refreshing, unlocked a new side of the 32 -year -old star on the big screen. And that is just one of his latest professional milestones. In an industry that often treats people in categories, Gomez is a chameleonic figure that constantly redefines what means being a global power today.

In the last 12 months, Gomez, who has meticulously elaborated his own model as a multifaceted artist, obtained a golden globe nomination for the best cast actress by Emilia Pérez; He won an Actor Union Award (SAG) for his work in the series ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING; Your album I SAID I LOVE YOURSTwho launched in March with his fiance Benny Blanco, debuted in No. 1 of top album salts of Billboardbecoming the fourth leader of Gomez on that list; And, through its Rare Impact Fund, Gomez continues to work to increase young people to mental health.

Now, on April 24, he will be honored as a woman of the year at the annual Billboard Latin Women in Music.

“I think that every time women support each other and show solidarity, it’s really beautiful and important,” says Gomez to Billboard. “I must say that being honored in Latin women in music is incredibly special for me. My Mexican heritage is something that has influenced me all my life, and I do not lose sight of how important the representation is. Throughout the years in which I have been doing this, some of the most solidarity women in the entertainment industry that I have known have been other Latin women. I love the link we all share.”

Appointed in honor of her Texana compatriot, the legendary Selena Quintanilla, Gomez – whose paternal grandparents are Mexican – reached fame as a child actress in Barney & Friends At 10 years and later he starred in the Disney Channel series Wizards of Waverly Place playing Alex Russo, a teenager ultra -chief and bold sorceress. But perhaps his career as a musical artist is what consolidated his status of pop icon, with 42 entries in the Billboard Hot 100 list of all genres and seven albums in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, including three No. 1. Although he has mainly recorded in English, Gomez has always remained close to his roots, and recorded in Spanish seemed almost inevitable.

His first great success in Latin music came in 2019, thanks to his collaboration in “Taki Taki” by DJ Snake with the creators of successes Ozuna and Cardi B. The theme debuted at the top of Hot Latin Songs in 2018, and led for 13 weeks. Since then, Gomez has placed three additional successes in the Top 10 of that ranking, including “Dance with me”, his collaboration with Rauw Alejandro, who reached No. 4 in 2021 and led the Latin Airplay list for a week. This collaboration is part of its first project completely in Spanish, Revelation. The album debuted in No. 1 of Top Latin Albums, making history as the first of a female artist to achieve that feat from The gold of Shakira.

“I never really focus on statistics and Chartsbut when I hear something like that, everything I feel is pride. Shakira is an icon and someone I have always admired, and I love her so much, “says Gomez.” Making an album in Spanish was something I had wanted to do for a long time. Over the years, he launched a Spanish version of some song from an album, but having a completely Spanish project was something that meant a lot to me. I worked hard to make sure to pay tribute to my Latin roots, both through music and aesthetics of all visuals. ”

Navigating a graduate identity, especially one that has double standard (you must assimilate and learn English, but also dominate Spanish), is something that even Selena Quintanilla faced in her early days. At that time, Quintanilla had to learn to speak and sing in Spanish to be accepted in Mexico.

Gomez recently faced a similar critic when some questioned their Spanish skills in Emilia Pérezalthough he plays an American character who lives in Mexico and that he is not supposed to speak the language fluently. Gomez – who together with his companions of cast Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón and Adriana Paz shared the award for the best actress at the Cannes 2024 Film Festival – says that Emilia Pérez It is a movie that “I will treasure forever.”

“I pushed for uncomfortable spaces, which as an actress is the most rewarding. It was a magical time and working with (the director) Jacques (Audiard) was one of my best experiences,” he says. “I am taking my time to find the right role and the director to work with next because I want it to be a challenge and something unexpected.”

Gomez’s Latin heritage is constantly present in his work. Play Mabel Mora in ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING of Hulu. And in I SAID I LOVE YOURST He included “sad eyes” with The Marías, a reinterpretation of the classic Jeanette ballad of 1981 “The boy with sad eyes.” The song entered the Top 5 Latin Songs (dated April 5).

“Benny and I went to see The Marías in concert last summer. I was hypnotized with them and knew that I wanted to have them in our album,” Gomez shares. “‘The boy with sad eyes’ for me is one of those songs that cross generations and that unites people regardless of their age. You know her as an adult or something that your mother or grandmother listened, and evokes nostalgic memories. I loved seeing all the Posts about the song and the feeling that reminds people. I may have escaped some tear. I am very proud of this song. ”

Gomez is equally proud of his work as an activist, as a leading voice in the defense of mental health and social justice for underrepresented communities. In 2019, she was an executive producer of Living Undocmaa Netflix documentary series that addressed the immigration crisis in the United States. It has also transformed the youth mental health panorama mobilizing more than 20 million dollars into funds with philanthropic partners on five continents.

“At the end of the day, I think it is important to be heard about the issues that matter to you, whether famous or not. It is not for the weak hearts, because you exposed me and believe me that there will be many opinions for having the courage to say something,” says Gomez. “I remember when I decided to open about my own mental health; it was scary to be as vulnerable and I never wanted anyone to think I am a victim. I thought that by sharing my own story I could help others, and I will accept any negative opinion that came with that because I see the broader panorama of how conversations have changed around mental health.”

Eight years after being appointed woman of the year by BillboardGomez’s influence on music and beyond is even more tangible today, a testimony of its impact and legacy. Your advice for the new generation of artists?

“Block the noise and be faithful to yourself,” he says. “The noise can be overwhelming, and I do not say it is easy, but block it and not compromise who you are will bear fruit.”

The third annual edition of the Billboard Special Latin Women in Music will be broadcast live on April 24 at 9 pm Et/8 pm Central time exclusively by Telemundo, Universe, Peacock and the application of Telemundo, and throughout Latin America and the Caribbean by Telemundo Internacional.

Check the list of Latin women in executive and entrepreneurs music of 2025 here.