How Selena Gomez hit back at trolls after being ‘so depressed’ in ‘IT girl era’
AS a Disney child star who rose to fame and had her first high profile romance as a teenager, Selena Gomez knows more than most how hard it is to grow up in the spotlight.
The gorgeous actress and singer, now 32, has faced more than her fair share of cruel comments from trolls, who’ve speculated on everything from her love life and new relationship with music producer Benny Blanco, 36, to her ‘changing appearance’.
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Just this week Selena was forced to respond to a mean TikTok, which showed a throwback clip of her being papped on her way to a Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in 2015 – around the time she was in a relationship with Justin Bieber, who is expecting his first child with now-wife Hailey.
The clip, which has been ‘liked’ 1.9m times, was accompanied with a caption saying: ‘I know and so do you that at the time she would never have gotten engaged to Benny (Blanco) (when) she was in her IT GIRL era’.
To which Selena commented: “Kinda makes me laugh because I was so depressed back then lol.”
It’s the latest in a long line of disparaging comments Selena has been victim of, with many quick to critique her appearance, which understandably has changed since she rose to stardom as a young teen nearly two decades ago.
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‘I have botox, that’s it. Leave me alone’
Just recently, Selena commented on a 2023 TikTok video discussing if she’d had surgery, writing: “I hate this. I have Botox. That’s it. Leave me alone.”
When the creator of the video apologised, she replied: “I love you. Not about you. I just get sad sometimes.”
“My weight would constantly fluctuate because I would be on certain medications. And obviously, people just ran with it.
Selena Gomez
The singer and actress previously confirmed she had Botox on Instagram too, after a ‘fan’ commented: “Remove your cheek fillers/implants. It’s messing with your brain,” to which Serena: ‘Hahahaha I’ve had Botox bb girl.’
Addressing how Selena has likely used botox to enhance her already beautiful features, Lesley Reynolds, Skin Care Expert and co-founder of The Harley Street Skin Clinic, comments: “It’s most likely been used on key areas of the face to reduce wrinkles and fine lines.
“Popular treatment spots include the forehead, where it smooths horizontal lines from raised eyebrows, and between the eyebrows which soften frown lines – something that’s apparent from her appearance.
“These areas are targeted because they are highly expressive, and Botox helps create a smoother, more youthful appearance by temporarily relaxing the muscles that cause wrinkles.”
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‘I don’t want to live’
Selena has also had to battle numerous health issues, particularly living with the medical condition Lupus, which she was diagnosed with in 2013.
Lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can attack joints, skin, organs and other parts of the body, and she’s required various treatment over the years including chemotherapy and a kidney transplant in 2017.
The chronic condition has also impacted her mental health.
Speaking to Today, she said: “I would get fevers, headaches. I would get fatigue. But I always just kept going.
“I kind of ignored it, to be honest. … I don’t think I made the right decisions because I didn’t accept it. And that’s extremely selfish, and at the same time, really just unnecessary. I’m not really proud of that.”
Speaking in a documentary, her former assistant Theresa Marie Mingus revealed the full extent of Selena’s health battle, saying: “At one point, she’s like, ‘I don’t want to be alive right now. I don’t want to live’. And I’m like, ‘Wait, what?'”
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Addressing how Selena’s health issues can impact appearance, The Harley Street Skin Clinic’s Lesley Reynolds adds: “Lupus, an autoimmune disease she has openly discussed, often requires medications like corticosteroids, which can cause side effects such as facial swelling.
“By sharing her experience, Selena not only normalises the challenges faced by those with chronic illnesses but also provides support and inspiration to others, helping to raise awareness and reduce the stigma associated with the condition.”
Selena’s health battle: A timeline
Selena Gomez has been battling Lupus since 2013, here The Sun shares the timeline of her battle with the long-term autoimmune condition that causes joint pain, skin rashes and tiredness among other symptoms.
2013: Lupus diagnosis
Selena Gomez was privately diagnosed with lupus, and underwent chemotherapy for the condition, cancelling her 2013 world tour. Chemotherapy drugs are sometimes used to suppress the autoimmune response that’s responsible for the disease.
2014: Rehab for lupus diagnosis
In January 2014, Gomez completed a two-week stay at the Meadows, a rehab facility in Arizona in the US.
Gomez’ representative said at the time: “Selena voluntarily spent time at Meadows but not for substance abuse.”
Gomez later explained that it was her newfound lupus diagnosis and chemotherapy treatments that made her step away from the limelight.
2015: Public Revelation:
In October, Selena publicly reveals her lupus diagnosis during an interview with Billboard
magazine. She explains that she had undergone chemotherapy as part of her treatment.
2016: Rehab
The singer checked back into another rehab facility in Tennessee in August 2016 for anxiety and depression that are often a side-affect of lupus.
Summer 2017: Kidney transplant
In the summer of 2017, Gomez revealed she received a kidney transplant from her best friend, Francia Raisa, due to complications from lupus.
February 2018: Therapy treatment
In early 2018, Gomez checked into treatment at a facility in Connecticut, US for two weeks for an undisclosed problem.
There she concentrated on therapy, healthy eating, meditation and pilates.
October 2018: Mental health hospitalisation
Gomez was hospitalised after she became “despondent and emotional” over a low white blood cell count, which could be a side-affect of lupus, leading a family member to transport her to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
November 2022: Documentary
Released her documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me — in which she detailed her journey with lupus and opened up about her mental health.
March 2023: Doing well
After releasing her single Love On, the singer explained that her desire to make new music stems ‘from a place of confidence’, so she is doing ‘good’.
‘Part of me feels like I’m finally at a good place with everything in my life,’ she told Rolling Stone.
‘Being shamed for gaining weight’
Selena has also spoken openly about how she gained weight as a result of lupus – something she’s been cruelly body-shamed about over the years.
“It was like they couldn’t wait to find a thing to bring me down. I was being shamed for gaining weight because of my lupus.
Selena Gomez
In an episode of her Apple TV documentary, she said: “My weight would constantly fluctuate because I would be on certain medications. And obviously, people just ran with it.
“It was like they couldn’t wait to find a thing to bring me down. I was being shamed for gaining weight because of my lupus.
“I would go online and I would post a picture of myself and I would say, ‘It doesn’t matter. I’m not accepting what you’re saying’.
“All the while, being in the room posting and crying my eyes out because nobody deserves to hear those things.”
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‘Proud of who I am’
Earlier this year Selena posted an honest Instagram picture, reflecting on her body image with a throwback picture of herself in a string bikini followed by a more recent photo in a two-piece swimsuit.
Posting about her journey to self acceptance, she wrote: “Today I realised I will never look like this again.
“I’m not perfect but I’m proud to be who I am. Sometimes I forget it’s ok to be me.”
Living so publicly, the songstress has taken steps to preserve her mental health, and block out any negativity around her, especially on social media.
She previously said: “I disabled all my comments on my photos on Instagram for only my friends, so I think I’ve created boundaries to help me.”
“People fussed about it. They fuss about everything. I felt empowered by doing that, by saying, ‘This is just for me.'”
Lesley adds: “Selena’s choice to stay authentic and real has made her a refreshing role model.
“Her approach to beauty, combined with her openness about her health struggles, shows young women that it’s okay to embrace their natural selves.
“Selena’s confidence and self-acceptance serve as a powerful example, proving that true beauty comes from being comfortable in your own skin.”
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Finally in her ‘happy era’?
Now, despite the comments, it seems Selena is finally in her ‘happy era’.
Earlier this week, Selena shared some never-before-seen pics of herself and Benny – who she began dating last December – enjoying time together.
In one snap, Selena donned a one-piece swimsuit while cuddled up to her boyfriend while laying out and enjoying the summer sun.
“Thank you for sharing your life with me today and every day,” Selena captioned her adorable post.
And it seems his approach to negativity is, in part, what draws her to him, and touchingly has been helpful to improve her own self-esteem, too.
Speaking to Time Magazine, Selena said: “I know what people can do to people I love.
“My own fans, who I adore and feel like have shaped who I am, will say the most hurtful things to me about how I live my life.
“But he has the strength in him that none of that noise fazes him.
“It’s really impressive, and I just cherish every moment with him. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that he’s not going anywhere any time soon.”
Inside Selena and Benny’s romance
- Before dating, Benny co-produced Selena’s singles Same Old Love, Kill Em with Kindness, I Can’t Get Enough, and Single Soon.
- In November 2023, rumours began swirling about a potential romance between Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco.
- A month later, on December 7, the Only Murders in the Building actress confirmed she and Benny were together.
- Since then the pair have been seen packing on PDA at multiple events, including the 2024 Golden Globes.
- On February 23 2024, Selena said on Apple Music’s New Music Daily that Benny makes her feel safe.
- When asked if he was thinking of starting a family, Benny replied, “That’s my next goal, to check the box.”
- On May 7, Dana Covarrubias, a costume designer for Only Murders in the Building, exclusively spoke to The U.S. Sun and gave insight into the couple’s romance, saying: “[They are] so in love. So in love. I’ve never seen her happier. She’s just on cloud nine. It’s the cutest.”
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