Selena Gomez was honored with the Equity in Entertainment Award at The Hollywood Reporter’s Women in Entertainment Gala on December 4. The event, held at The Beverly Hills Hotel, recognized Gomez for her efforts to promote equity and representation for underrepresented communities in the entertainment industry.
Introduced by her Only Murders in the Building co-star Molly Shannon, Selena Gomez delivered a speech emphasizing the need for authentic inclusion in storytelling. “Equity and representation mean ensuring that women, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to share their stories and showcase their talents,” she said. Gomez further highlighted the importance of moving beyond tokenism to create spaces where all women—regardless of race, sexual orientation, or ability—feel truly welcome.
Gomez reflected on a pivotal moment in her career when she realized her impact as a role model. She recounted a live taping of Wizards of Waverly Place where a mother expressed gratitude for her daughter having a Latina actress to look up to. “I wasn’t thinking about the importance of representation or the gravity of what those words meant,” Gomez said. “But I knew I wanted to live up to that in whatever form it took.”
The Rare Beauty founder also discussed the broader significance of her recent Netflix film Emilia Pérez, in which she stars alongside Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña. Speaking to Billboard on the red carpet, Gomez explained how the film advances equity by celebrating diverse voices and cultures. “It’s crucial that we shed light on and show people exactly every color we are,” she said. “With Emilia Pérez, we opened doors, particularly for Latinas, while celebrating women in every aspect of the production.”
Gomez’s speech at the gala underscored her commitment to fostering inclusion and breaking barriers in the entertainment world. Her advocacy aligns with her broader career ethos, which includes launching the Rare Impact Fund to support mental health resources and using her platform to amplify marginalized voices.
With a growing body of work that reflects her dedication to equity, Gomez continues to push for meaningful representation, emphasizing the importance of diverse perspectives in shaping the future of the entertainment industry. Her remarks at the gala served as a reminder of the power of storytelling in driving change and fostering understanding across communities.
