Selena Gomez and Saoirse Ronan reflect on personal challenges, creative growth, and connections to their roles

Selena Gomez and Saoirse Ronan recently opened up about their lives, careers, and experiences that shaped their acting and artistic choices during a conversation for Variety's "Actors on Actors" issue. Both stars shared insights into how their personal journeys resonate with the characters they portray.
Selena explained that her role in Emilia Pérez mirrors her own feelings of self-discovery. She described her character, Jessi, as someone who has seemingly had everything she wanted but finds herself trapped after losing her partner. Jessi embarks on a journey of rediscovery and searching for new love and purpose. Selena found this storyline therapeutic, as it allowed her to explore emotions of feeling stuck and the hope of starting over.
Reflecting on her upbringing, Selena shared how growing up with a young mother influenced her perspective. Her mom had her at just 16, creating a dynamic where they grew up together. Selena compared their relationship to the bond seen in Gilmore Girls, appreciating how her mother made thoughtful decisions to protect her. For instance, her mom ensured Selena avoided after-parties as a teen, encouraging her to have fun within boundaries to preserve her well-being.
Meanwhile, Saoirse Ronan discussed her connection to her character in The Outrun, where she plays a woman recovering from alcohol addiction. Saoirse revealed that addiction had impacted her life through loved ones’ struggles. Portraying this role allowed her to confront those emotions and delve into deeply personal experiences. She saw the project as an opportunity to address an issue she had long avoided, making the performance both raw and meaningful.
Saoirse also reflected on singing in the upcoming film Blitz. She admitted that performing on stage, even for a movie scene, felt incredibly vulnerable. Singing exposed her in a way acting never did, making her appreciate the rare quality some performers have to captivate an audience with their unique presence.
Both stars highlighted how their personal experiences have informed their creative work, showing the powerful intersection of life and art.