Selena Gomez's speech at The Hollywood Reporter's Women in Entertainment Gala on Wednesday (Dec. 4) was a profound exploration of representation and inclusion. In an event filled with significance, she took the stage at The Beverly Hills Hotel to receive the Equity in Entertainment Award and share her thoughts on this crucial topic.

Selena Gomez's Advocate for Equity in Entertainment

Defining Equity and Representation

Selena Gomez began her speech by clearly defining equity and representation. She emphasized that it is about ensuring that women, regardless of their background, have equal opportunities to share their stories and showcase their talents. It's not just about having a few token women but about creating true inclusion, where women of all races, sexual orientations, and abilities are welcomed. This concept is the foundation upon which she built her remarks, highlighting the importance of moving beyond tokenism.

By setting this standard, Gomez showed her commitment to creating a more equitable entertainment industry. It's a call to action for all of us to recognize the value of diverse voices and work towards a future where everyone's stories are told.

The Moment of Realization

Gomez shared a touching moment when she first realized the full scope of her position as a role model. It was when the mother of a young girl came up to her at a live taping of Wizards of Waverly Place and expressed her gratitude that her daughter had a Latina actress to look up to on TV.

This realization struck Gomez deeply. She admitted that initially, she wasn't fully aware of the importance of representation or the gravity of those words. But it was this moment that made her understand the impact she could have and inspired her to do her best to live up to that responsibility. It's a reminder that even the smallest actions can have a big impact.

Advancing Equity through Film

Just a couple of weeks after the release of Emilia Perez starring Gomez, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Zoe Saldaña's film on Netflix, Gomez stopped to talk with Billboard on the red carpet. She emphasized the crucial role that shedding light and showing every color plays in advancing equity in the entertainment industry.

With Emilia Pérez, they were able to do just that through the music and the subject matter of their movie. It's about opening doors for Latinas and celebrating women. Gomez's involvement in this film is a powerful example of how entertainment can be a force for good, promoting diversity and equality.

See parts of Gomez's speech and her red-carpet conversation with Billboard below, as she continues to make a significant impact on the entertainment industry.