The actress and singer attended the Cannes Film Festival on May 18

Selena Gomez was overwhelmed with emotions at the Cannes Film Festival!

The singer and actress, 31, broke down in tears as her film Emilia Pérez received a prolonged standing ovation on May 18.

As the audience stood up to cheer and clap, Gomez was moved to tears in the Palais after the film’s screening.

Her costars, Zoe Saldaña and Édgar Ramírez, shared a heartfelt hug, while director Jacques Audiard waved his hat from the balcony, basking in the moment.

In Emilia Pérez, Gomez plays the wife of the feared drug cartel leader, Manitas (portrayed by Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón), who seeks the help of lawyer Rita (Saldaña) to secretly undergo a sex change operation, transitioning into a woman as he nears retirement.

The film is structured in four acts and features original songs performed by the cast, adding a unique musical element.

Earlier that evening, Gomez dazzled on the red carpet in a stunning black velvet gown with white bardot sleeves by Saint Laurent, paired with Santoni heels and a Diamond Swan Bulgari necklace.

Gomez has called her role in Emilia Pérez “one of the most challenging things I’d done.”

On the Smartless podcast in January, she shared, “There’s a scene where I’m being left and I remembered the moment I had to go to rehab for the first time. I channeled that fear, and it felt really cathartic.”

She continued, “I have these moments in my life that help me draw on my emotions, and it feels like a good release.”

Discussing her acting career, Gomez remarked, “I don’t think I’ve even scratched the surface of my potential. I’m very selective about my roles and enjoy earning them through auditions.”