Selena Gomez on the Pride She Has for Her Mexican Heritage: 'My Family's Sacrifices Helped Me To Get Where I Am'

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Actress, singer, and producer Selena Gomez proudly celebrated her Mexican heritage following 'Emilia Pérez''s Golden Globe win for Best Musical or Comedy.

Despite being one of her most controversial projects—even drawing criticism from Eugenio Derbez, who later apologized—Gomez continues to defend the movie, highlighting her deep connection to it.

Looking beyond the awards she hopes to win in 2025, Gomez expressed pride in representing her Mexican roots by acting in Spanish. She said she considers it an honor to pay tribute to her paternal grandmother and great-grandmother, who overcame significant challenges in their lives.

Selena Gomez's Mexican family

Gomez's father, Ricardo, hails from a Mexican family. Her grandmother was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, later moved to Monterrey, Nuevo León, and eventually emigrated to Texas.

"I personally understand what my grandmother and great-grandmother went through, coming to this country alone," Gomez shared in an interview with 'Ventaneando.' "I've been surrounded by incredible women all my life, and I love representing that part of me because so much of what I do is predominantly in English."

Gomez also emphasized her hard work in portraying her character in the film.

"I always give my best and work hard. I'm very passionate and love what I do," she said.

Since her early days as an actress and entrepreneur, Gomez has proudly embraced her roots. Her parents even chose not to change her name when she began working as a child actor.

Beyond celebrating her family's heritage, Gomez has used her platform, time, and resources to advocate for Latino rights in the United States, particularly undocumented immigrants.

Her Netflix documentary 'Living Undocumented,' released during Donald Trump's presidency, shed light on the struggles of undocumented Latinos living in the U.S.

In a video for Define American, a nonprofit focused on immigrant stories, Gomez delivered a heartfelt message to young people.

"When my family came here from Mexico, they took the first step in my American story, as well as their own," she said. "I'm proud to be part of the third generation of Mexican-Americans, and my family's journey and sacrifices have helped me get to where I am today."

Gomez stressed that her story is just one of many worth telling.

"Each of you has a story about how your family became American," she said. "Regardless of where your family comes from or their immigration status, you've worked hard to get an education and make your families proud."

In a lighter moment, Gomez also celebrated her culture by preparing tamales—a traditional Mexican dish—during an episode of her cooking show 'Selena + Chef.'