“Marty’s texting Meryl”: Selena Gomez’s sweet moment steals the Emmys spotlight

Selena Gomez teased Martin Short at the Emmys after spotting him texting Meryl Streep during the live show.

At the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards, an unexpected moment stole the spotlight from the usual glamour. Selena Gomez, seated alongside her Only Murders in the Building castmates, noticed Martin Short glancing at his phone. She looked over and, with a smile, mouthed to her fiancé Benny Blanco, “Marty’s texting Meryl.”

It was a simple scene, yet it quickly became one of the most replayed and shared moments of the night. Viewers loved how Selena’s reaction was both surprised and delighted. Her expression captured curiosity without judgment, and the interaction added warmth to the evening. Meryl Streep, who plays Short’s on-screen love interest Loretta Durkin, was not present at the Emmys, but the texting moment reminded fans of their close working relationship and onscreen chemistry.

Short, Gomez, and Steve Martin have been nominated for various Emmys, among them Only Murders in the Building for Outstanding Comedy Series. Short is also up for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series. Although the show did not win at the major categories, its stars’ interactions kept audiences smiling.

Rumours about a real-life romance between Martin Short and Meryl Streep have circulated in the past. Both have denied anything beyond friendship. In a 2024 interview, Short explicitly responded to the rumours, stating that he and Streep are “just very close friends, nothing more,” a line often repeated by their representatives.

Online, fans reacted with affection. Clips of Selena’s discovery spread rapidly on social media. Comments praised her good humour and playful awareness. Some found it charming that the quietest moments can carry the most emotional weight. Others simply enjoyed the reminder that even big stars have small, human moments.

Between Red Carpets, awards, and dramatic speeches, it was Selena Gomez’s gentle “Marty’s texting Meryl” that became one of the night’s most unforgettable lines, proof that genuine moments often outshine scripted ones.