Palabras Prohibidas

In the digital age, where social media amplifies every opinion and comment, critiquing the talent of public figures is a delicate and complex task. The recent controversy over Selena Gomez’s performance is a clear example of how a critique can trigger a media storm and divide opinions.

Information Revolution

The advent of social media has sparked a revolution in giving voice to every individual. Now, every person with access to an internet-connected device has the ability to spread their ideas, photos, and videos to the world, without a filter for veracity. And I’m not saying that’s bad; on the contrary, we have managed to break down a barrier where the official voice controlled everything we read, heard, or saw in any media.

However, as with everything in this world, great power comes with great responsibility, and the realm of communication is no exception. Perhaps this is how the phenomenon of fake news arises, inundating illegitimate content daily and corrupting our humanity; information from commentators without the ethical preparation to disseminate ideas.

Context and Controversy

This brings us to one of the latest controversies where two public figures clash digitally: the case of Eugenio Derbez vs. Selena Gomez.

The Mexican actor criticized Selena Gomez’s performance in the movie «Emilia Pérez» without filters. In an interview with YouTuber Gaby Meza, he described Selena Gomez’s performance as «indefensible,» pointing out that her lack of command of Spanish affected the credibility of her character.

These statements quickly generated a wave of reactions on social media, where fans of both artists engaged in a heated debate. In that vein, as Superholly points out in one of her videos, Eugenio Derbez’s English is functional, but his pronunciation and fluency could improve.

 The Difficulty of Criticism in the Digital Age

Using this example as a basis, we can conclude that critiquing a person’s talent today is a challenging topic for several reasons:

1. Immediate Amplification: Social media allows any comment to spread rapidly, reaching millions of people in minutes. This can magnify the impact of a critique and generate disproportionate reactions that perhaps a single individual cannot handle.

2. Polarization of Opinions: Digital platforms tend to polarize opinions, creating opposing sides that vehemently defend or attack the criticized person. In this case, fans of both artists were divided, defending their idol and attacking the other.

3. Sensitivity and Empathy: Criticisms, especially when harsh, can be perceived as personal attacks. This is even more complicated when it comes to public figures who are constantly under public scrutiny. Empathy and sensitivity are essential to handle these situations, but they are often lost in the heat of the moment.

4. Cultural and Linguistic Context: In the specific case of Selena Gomez, her lack of command of Spanish was a central point in Derbez’s critique. This highlights how linguistic and cultural barriers can influence the perception of talent and performance.

Conclusion

The case of Eugenio Derbez and Selena Gomez is a reminder of how complicated it can be to critique a person’s talent in the digital age. Social media has changed the dynamics of criticism, amplifying voices and polarizing opinions.

Derbez, although a recognized figure in the entertainment world, is not necessarily the most suitable person to judge the cinematic work of other actors, given his history of performances that have received mixed reviews. For example, his participation in films like ‘Jack and Jill’ and ‘Geostorm’ was not well received by critics. This lack of consistency in his own work calls into question his ability to objectively evaluate the talent and performance of others.

In an environment where constructive criticism is essential, it is important to consider the trajectory and credentials of the person issuing the judgment and to foster a dialogue that allows for growth and improvement, rather than division and conflict.

Ultimately, constructive criticism should seek a balance between honesty and respect, fostering a dialogue that allows for growth and improvement, rather than division and conflict.