Selena Gomez, the singer and actress, recently spoke openly about the challenges she faces as a high-profile woman in the age of social media, revealing the emotional toll online negativity has taken on her. In an honest conversation on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, Selena, along with her fiancé, music producer Benny Blanco, discussed the pressure of public opinion. While Benny shared that he typically ignores negative comments and doesn’t let them affect him, Selena shared a more personal perspective.
She pointed out the harsh reality women face, saying, “Women have it much worse.” She emphasized that the intensity of judgment for women goes far beyond their physical appearance, extending to everything from what they wear to their very identity. “It’s pretty wild, and I think this isn’t news to anybody, that women have a lot more intense feelings about their appearance, what they’re wearing, and everything else,” Selena remarked.
Unlike Benny, Selena admitted that she can’t always avoid coming across negative feedback. “When I get ready for an event, 90 percent of the time, I’m just hoping I can take the picture and sit down,” she confessed. However, she explained that the criticism often goes deeper than just her looks. “It’s the character that gets judged. It’s the way I’m not white enough, I’m not Mexican enough,” she shared, reflecting on the personal nature of the attacks she faces.
Selena also discussed how overwhelming it can be to deal with the constant public judgment. “There are so many things that pop up in front of me that I can’t help but see. I fall victim to it, and it doesn’t add anything to my life, but it’s hard to avoid,” she said. She pointed out that, unlike women, men don’t typically face the same level of scrutiny over their personal choices, especially regarding relationships. “When it comes to dating choices — no one cares about that stuff with men.”
Another topic Selena touched on was the ongoing commentary about her weight, which she’s openly addressed before. As someone living with lupus, Selena shared that the medication she takes affects her body and leads to unwanted judgment from the public. “Oh yeah, my weight’s a big one too,” she said. “Everyone always has something to say, and it’s been hard. It’s not even sadness anymore, it’s more like bitterness, and I feel guilty for saying that, but it’s the truth.”
Despite all the negativity, Selena has found ways to cope. She revealed that she’s learned to step back and take breaks from social media. “I had to stop after a while. I still take complete breaks because I’m human, and yes, sometimes I do look at things, but most of the time, I ignore it,” she shared. Currently, she has removed social media from her phone entirely. “I don’t have anything on my phone at the moment,” she stated.
Wrapping up, Selena acknowledged the power of social media but highlighted how tricky it can be to navigate. “There are ways to deal with it. I don’t hate it, I understand the impact it has, but it’s a challenge,” she concluded.
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