Gomez lost her fluency in Spanish after moving from Texas to California to pursue her acting career with Disney, where English became the dominant language.
Gomez took Spanish lessons to regain her fluency for the role, which required her to speak almost entirely in Spanish.
Gomez found her bipolar diagnosis to be a relief, as it provided her with answers and a way to navigate her intense emotions, leading to a sense of freedom and proper treatment.
Gomez's mother enforced boundaries, such as not allowing her to attend after-parties and always being present during meetings, to protect her from inappropriate adult environments.
Gomez learned about Streep's professionalism and humility, observing how Streep stayed on set for 13 hours without being in the camera frame and how she interacted with everyone on set.
Gomez is grateful for the platform Disney provided but felt frustrated by people not taking her seriously beyond her Disney image, which she addresses in her documentary 'My Mind and Me'.
Gomez describes Grand Prairie as a small, simple town with a close-knit community and familiar landmarks, which she loves for its simplicity and the sense of home it provides.
Gomez faced challenges such as lack of privacy, being held to a specific standard, and dealing with intense fame at a young age, which she found uncomfortable and overwhelming.
Gomez advises patience in the process of seeking mental health help, emphasizing that it can take years to find the right diagnosis and treatment, and that it's important to keep searching until relief is found.
The role came about when co-creator John Hoffman pitched the idea of an unconventional friendship between a 28-year-old and two older comedians, which resonated with Gomez's interest in true crime.
The actor-singer-entrepreneur stars in Emilia Pérez, the new Spanish-language musical about a cartel boss who undergoes gender-affirming surgery. Gomez talks with Tonya Mosley about re-learning Spanish, her Disney years, and working alongside comedy legends Martin Short and Steve Martin in Only Murders in the Building. Also, Ken Tucker shares three great country songs: Maren Morris' "People Still Show Up," Dwight Yoakam's "A Dream That Never Ends," and Shawna Thompson's "Lean On Neon."Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)