Selena Gomez Talks Body-Shaming Comments: 'Nobody Deserves To Hear Those Things'
By Favour Adegoke on March 13, 2023 at 12:30 AM EDT
In a recent docuseries, Selena Gomez opened up about body-shaming comments that have affected her. The star admitted that despite putting on a brave front, she would cry her eyes out over the mean remarks.
The "Calm Down" singer was diagnosed with lupus in 2014 and has since been candid about her health battle and medications. She disclosed that her medications fluctuated her weight as she gained water weight.
Gomez recently thanked her friend Francia Raisa for donating a kidney to her, saying the idea of someone not second-guessing being a donor "was unbelievably overwhelming."
Keep on reading to learn more.
Selena Gomez Gets Honest About Body-Shaming Comments
In 2014, Selena Gomez was diagnosed with the autoimmune disease lupus and had to take medication daily. Due to her health battle, the "Wolves" hitmaker faced physical pain and public scrutiny over her weight gain, making the treatment even more difficult. In 2018, paparazzi photos of Gomez in a bikini surfaced, and she was attacked on social media, with some calling her overweight.
Gomez, who tried to stay positive throughout the ordeal, recently spoke about how the body-shaming comments affected her. In the March 10 episode of the Apple TV+ docuseries "Dear…," the star revealed that she had lied when she posted pictures of herself online and said she didn't care about the negative comments.
"I lied. I would go online, and I would post a picture of myself and say [the negative comments] don't matter, I'm not accepting what you're saying — all the while being in the room posting that, crying my eyes out because nobody deserves to hear those things," she disclosed, according to Insider.
She Opened Up About Her Lupus Medication
When the hateful comments started circulating online, the "Only Murder in the Building" actress clapped back at body shamers and disclosed that her lupus medication made her weight fluctuate.
Gomez shared essential details about her medication during a TikTok live video stating, "I tend to hold a lot of water weight, and that happens very normally. And then when I'm off of [my medication], I tend to lose weight."
She continued, per Us Weekly, "I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what they're going for, and nobody knows the real story — I just want people to know that you're beautiful and you're wonderful and, yeah, maybe we have days where we feel like sh*t but I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself." She noted that her medications are essential and told haters to keep their negative energy away.
Selena Gomez Praises Francia Raisa For Donating Her Kidney
Three years after she was first diagnosed with lupus, Gomez underwent kidney transplant surgery with her best friend Francia Raisa as her donor. Paying tribute to her kidney donor, Raisa, Gomez stated, "I will never, ever, ever be more in debt to a person than Francia.
"The idea of someone not even second-guessing to be a donor was unbelievably overwhelming. I got a tattoo with her, actually, which is the date I got the kidney transplant. I think it had to happen the way that it did. In order for me to get to where I am, I was meant to go through it to do something for others," she added.
Her recent statement comes not too long after a cryptic social media comment by Raisa implied that the former friends were at odds with each other.
Gomez stated in an interview with Rolling Stone, that she had few friends "in the industry," with music sensation Taylor Swift being her best pal. This claim by Gomez seemingly didn't sit well with Raisa, who wrote in a now-deleted comment, "interesting."
Selena Gomez Takes A Break From Social Media
Amid her health battle, Gomez has been taking short breaks from social media when the trolls start to get to her. Her latest break happened after news of her perceived drama with Hailey Bieber went viral.
During a TikTok live stream in February, the "Wizard of Waverly Place" alum announced she was taking a break from social media as it had become "a little silly." She explained, "I'm 30; I'm too old for this. But I love you guys so much, and I will see you guys sooner than later. I'm just gonna take a break from everything."
Almost a week later, the "Selfish Love" singer returned to the video and encouraged her fans to "be kinder and consider others' mental health."