Singer-actress Selena Gomez is taking Hollywood by storm with her new role in “The Fragile Heart,” an independent film from A24 that debuted this weekend. The film has been hailed by critics as “the boldest, most honest, and profound performance” of the actress’s career, once synonymous with a gentle, sweet image.

In The Fragile Heart, Selena plays Maya, a former national gymnast who succumbs to pressure, painkiller addiction, and post-traumatic depression. This haunting and emotional story is inspired by real-life incidents in the American sports world, where young talents are crushed by expectations and fame.

Immediately after the premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, Selena received a standing ovation that lasted more than 7 minutes, along with a series of “winged” compliments from critics. Variety called it “an unexpected performance – where Selena Gomez completely transformed, leaving all preconceptions behind”. And The Hollywood Reporter described:

“Selena Gomez has reached the limits of human vulnerability. No longer a pop star, she is a real actress – sincere, painful and brilliant.”

Notably, the film is produced by A24, the film studio behind Everything Everywhere All at Once and Uncut Gems – which has led many to believe that Selena is on the way to reaching her first Oscar nomination in her career.

Many viewers also believe that this role is a metaphor for Selena’s own life: a girl who has been scrutinized, hurt by love, mental health and the halo of fame. On social networks, fans simultaneously shared emotional moments in the film, especially the scene where Maya cries alone in the gym after collapsing, which is considered “the most real crying scene” Selena has ever performed on screen.

Selena Gomez once shared in an interview with Vanity Fair:

“I’m no longer afraid to show my true pain. I used to hide it, but now I understand that vulnerability is also a form of strength.”

Not only acting, Selena also co-produced the film, with the A24 team. She said this is a “project of the heart”, and that she wanted to tell the story of “people who fall but are never forgotten”.

On social network X (Twitter), the hashtag #SelenaForOscar quickly climbed to the top trending just a few hours after its premiere. Millions of fans expressed their pride, affirming that The Fragile Heart was the turning point that helped Selena “rebirth” after many years of being labeled a “Disney TV star”.

A famous critic wrote:

“Selena Gomez has done something no one expected – she has turned her pain into art. This is a historic moment in her career.”

With explosive reactions from audiences and experts, The Fragile Heart is not only an artistic success, but also a journey of self-affirmation of a woman who was once underestimated.

Will Selena Gomez really step up to the Oscar podium? Perhaps the answer will come soon. But regardless, she has won – not only in her career, but in her own internal battle.