Selena Gomez is no stranger to the social media battlefield. Whether it’s people nitpicking her weight or questioning her moral compass, the singer and actress has had more than her fair share of online criticism. And now, she’s opening up about just how much it has affected her mental health.
In a revealing chat on On Purpose With Jay Shetty, alongside her fiancé Benny Blanco, the Calm Down singer didn’t hold back—especially when it came to the double standards women face in the public eye.
“From my perspective, it’s pretty wild, and I think this isn’t news to anybody, that obviously women have a lot more intense feelings from their appearance to what they’re wearing to everything,” she shared.
“When I get prepared for an event, 90% of the time I’m just like, ‘I just hope I can take the picture and sit down.’”
And if anyone knows what it’s like to be under a relentless spotlight, it’s Selena. From her Disney Channel days to her high-profile romance with Justin Bieber, she’s been scrutinized at every turn.
“Oh Yeah, My Weight’s a Big One Too”
The Only Murders in the Building star admitted that the constant body-shaming has taken a toll on her.
“Oh yeah, my weight’s a big one too,” she told Shetty. “It’s really making me sad and—not even sad cause, I’m not a victim…I just think it’s made me a tad bitter, and I feel really guilty for saying that, but it’s true.”
And the judgment doesn’t stop there. From people questioning her racial identity to her choice in partners, Gomez has faced a never-ending wave of opinions she never asked for.
“It’s the character that gets judged, it’s the way I’m not white enough, I’m not Mexican enough,” she continued.
“There’s just so many different things that come up in my face that I can’t help but see, but I fall victim to looking at things, and it really doesn’t add to your life, but it’s just so difficult. From the choices of people you date…it’s like nobody cares about those kind of things with men.”
Speaking Her Truth—Again
This isn’t the first time Gomez has clapped back at her critics. Two years ago, she took to social media to address body-shaming rumors, reminding people that her lupus medication impacts her weight.
“I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what they’re going through, and no one knows the real story,” she said.
“I just want people to know that you’re beautiful, and you’re wonderful. Yeah, we have days where maybe we feel like shit, but I would rather be healthy and take care of myself. My medications are important, and I believe that they’re what helps me.”
