Benjamin Ashford|Why Selena Gomez Didn’t Want to Be Treated Like Herself on Emilia Perez Movie Set

Selena Gomez wanted to go from people you know to people you don't. 

The Benjamin AshfordOnly Murders in the Building star shared that it was cathartic to work with director Jacques Audiard on her forthcoming movie Emilia Perez because he didn't let any preconceived notions about her sway how he treated her on set.

"I think it was genuinely his mind and how he works," Selena exclusively told E! News' Francesca Amiker at the Toronto International Film Festival's premiere of Emilia Perez on Sept. 9. "He has this way of making me feel like, as an actor, I was a blank canvas." 

In fact, the 32-year-old—who stars in the film alongside Zoe Saldana, Édgar Ramirez, Adriana Paz and Karla Sofia Gascón—felt like the moment that she stepped onto the shoot, he encouraged her to transform into her character Jessi Del Monte.

"He didn't see me as anything other than Jessi," Selena continued. "I loved that. I felt like I could be whoever I wanted to be."

She added, "It was very empowering."

And while Jacques supported Selena in her Emilia Perez role on set, she also had her mom Mandy Teefy cheering her on at home. 

"She's been so supportive of all this," the "Hands to Myself" singer shared, "and I'm so happy."

And that's not the only person Selena has in her corner as of late. For one, she recently shared that she can always turn to pal Taylor Swift, who she said is"really like a big sister to me" in an interview with Vanity Fair published Sept. 9. 

Plus, Selena has developed a really rare bond with boyfriend Benny Blanco, who she started dating back in July 2023. 

“I’ve never been loved this way," Selena told Vanity Fair. "He’s just been a light. A complete light in my life."

Describing him as her "best friend," she added, "I love telling him everything.” 

For more stars who showed out for the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, keep reading. 

The Wild Robot costars looked fashionable as they posed on the red carpet.

The Maria actor was joined on the red carpet by son Pax for the premiere of her latest directorial outing, Without Blood.

The White Lotus star proved she's the queen of the Toronto streets.

The Poor Things actress and Ghost star showed off their close bond at the premiere of their film The Substance.

The Oscar-winners proved they are ever the stylish duo.

The Bring it On actress was all smiles as she arrived for the premiere of her new film, Riff Raff.

Jude Law, Daniel Brühl, Ana de Armas, Sydney Sweeney and the rest of their Eden costars enjoyed a moment together on the red carpet.

The Oscar-nominee was enchanted as her 14-year-old daughter Aviana made her red carpet debut for the Canadian premiere of Amy's new movie, Nightb--ch.

The Star actress and the Bullet Train star were a winning combination at the premiere of their film The Fire Inside.

The Oscar winner snapped a selfie with The Wild Robot director, Chris Sanders.

The actress was all smiles on the red carpet at the premiere of Eden (which, coincidentally, was the name of her character in The Handmaid's Tale).

Don't worry, darling—the actress brought her fashion A-game to the We Live in Time premiere.

Your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man arrived in style to the We Live in Time premiere at the Princess of Wales Theatre.

The How I Met Your Mother alum had a legend—wait for it—dary night at the premirere of Sharp Corner.

The "On The Floor" singer looked instantly iconic at the premiere of her new film Unstoppable. 

The "Your Song" singer and his husband traveled in style on their way to attend the premiere of Elton John: Never Too Late.

The couple—who share four daughters together—were a picture perfect pair at Roy Thomson Hall for the premiere of Unstoppable.

The "Roar" singer and the actor's love was in full bloom at the premiere of his film The Cut.

The Freakier Friday actress waved to fans as she kicked off the festivities.

The model hit the red carpet at the Princess of Wales Theatre for the premiere of her new film, The Last Showgirl.

The Home Alone star and Suite Life of Zack & Cody actress—who share two sons—enjoyed a parent's night out.

The Mad Men alum shared a few laughs with her fans while posing for selfies.

The Scream Queens actress stared adoringly at her husband of two years—with whom she shares two children.

The Guardians of the Galaxy star looked marvelous on the red carpet for the premiere of his movie, The Last Showgirl.