Selena Gomez Uses Offensive Word in Spanish Interview

Selena Gomez struggled to remember any Spanish before accidently letting out a cuss word during a joint interview with Karol G for Complex.

The actress, 32 – who recently looked unrecognizable while showing off a bold new look – could be seen talking with the Columbian singer, 34, in a short video that was uploaded to the outlet’s Instagram account on Wednesday.

In the snippet, the pair were discussing ‘GOAT Spanish slang’ and Gomez offered a word which led to Karol G quickly correcting the former Disney channel star.

‘The only thing I remember saying is “c******o,”‘ Selena explained, prompting Karol to repeat the word with surprise.

She then said, ‘I don’t know why I thought-,’ before Gomez swiftly jumped in to add, ‘But that’s a cuss word!’

‘I think that’s like, “Oh, ****!”‘ Karol G explained, which caused the actress to ask, ‘Like s***?’

Selena Gomez, 32, struggled to remember any Spanish before accidently letting out a cuss word during a joint interview with Karol G for Complex; seen in May in L.A.

In the snippet, the pair were discussing ‘GOAT Spanish slang’ and Gomez offered a word which led to Karol G quickly correcting the former Disney channel star

The QLONA hitmaker agreed and then offered a different expression. ‘So I’m gonna say like same one, but in a different way. Like “chingon.” Being here with you is super chingon.’

Selena then repeated, ‘Chingon,’ and the songstress responded with, ‘Chingon! Ah you see.’

Social media users jumped to the comment section of the reel and offered mixed reaction.

One penned, ‘Selena dont know what is c******o omg,’ while another added, ‘Lol that’s sad she really never tried to get her Spanish up.’

‘Selena, be for real,’ a fan shared, while others offered support to the star and applauded her joint interview with Karol G.

One Instagram user typed out, ‘I love them together!!’ and another added, ‘Sel saying “c******o” is so real,’ followed by a laughing emoji.

Last year, Gomez faced backlash over her Spanish in the Oscar-nominated musical crime movie Emilia Perez.

Although she grew up speaking Spanish at home, the singer later lost the fluency of the language after moving to Los Angeles to purse her career in entertainment.

‘The only thing I remember saying is “c******o,”‘ Selena explained, prompting Karol to repeat the word with surprise

She then said, ‘I don’t know why I thought-,’ before Gomez swiftly jumped in to add, ‘But that’s a cuss word!’

‘I think that’s like, “Oh, ****!”‘ Karol G explained, which caused the actress to ask, ‘Like s***?’

Selena then repeated, ‘Chingon,’ and the songstress responded with, ‘Chingon! Ah you see’

Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez had notably criticized her Spanish-speaking and accent in the movie in a viral clip, calling her performance ‘indefensible.’

Gomez defended herself in response in the comment section of a TikTok video that had shared the actor’s statements.

‘I understand where you are coming from..I’m sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn’t take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie,’ she stated.

Late last year, Selena also revealed that she had studied Spanish for six months to prepare for her role in the Netflix film.

During an interview for NPR’s Fresh Air, Gomez explained: ‘I got my first job at 7, and most of my jobs from that point on were English.

‘And I just lost [my Spanish]. That’s kind of the case for a lot of people, especially Mexican American people.’

The star added, ‘I wish I just knew a lot more than I do. But I think that’s why I try to honor my culture as much as possible.’

‘From releasing an album in Spanish to wanting to pursue this movie. And I don’t think it’ll be the last thing I do in Spanish,’ Selena expressed.

‘I understand where you are coming from..I’m sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesn’t take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie,’ she stated

And a few months earlier in April, Gomez – who is currently engaged to Benny Blanco – further defended her Spanish-speaking.

While talking to Billboard, the Only Murders In The Building actress reflected on her time working on the project and further brushed aside any negativity.

‘I pushed myself into uncomfortable spaces which as an actress are the most rewarding,’ she told the publication.

‘It was a magical time and working with [director] Jacques Audiard was one of my best experiences.’

Gomez continued, ‘I am taking my time to find the right role and director to work with next. Because I want it to be a challenge and unexpected.’

Selena has been keeping busy and looked unrecognizable in a recent Instagram selfie as she sported bangs – shortly after reigniting feud rumors with Hailey Bieber after the pair unfollowed each other on social media.

The Rare Beauty founder gazed down at the camera as her brunette locks were styled into light waves as the bangs fell onto her forehead.

A warm blush was added to her cheekbones for a radiant glow while a vibrant orange tint was worn on her lips.

In text added over the second selfie, the actress typed out: ‘Wish I could be with all of the kiddos @kidschoiceawards’

She wrote in the caption: ‘I would, but I’d regret it, then get it redone so I simply wont #bangs.’

Gomez offered another glimpse at the look in an additional snap as she referenced to the 2025 Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards which took place over the past weekend. – which her fiance Benny Blanco attended.

In text added over the second selfie, the actress typed out: ‘Wish I could be with all of the kiddos @kidschoiceawards.’

However, she later clarified on her Instagram stories that she had only been sporting a wig and shared, ‘It was a wiggly wig.’