Selena Gomez hasn’t exactly had the easiest of times in recent years.
From break ups with ex boyfriends Justin Bieber and The Weeknd, to being diagnosed with lupus, undergoing kidney surgery, and struggling with mental health issues, the 27-year-old’s resilience has been tested time and time again.
In a new interview with Giving Back Generation, the singer opened up about how having lupus and taking medication for the condition had a direct impact on her weight.
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‘It depends on even the month, to be honest, so for me I really noticed when people started attacking me for that,’ she said of her the abuse she received in recent years over her gaining weight.
'That really messed me up for a bit.’
According to the NHS, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) – commonly known as lupus – is a long-term condition causing inflammation to the joints, skin and other organs. While there is currently no cure, symptoms can improve if treatment starts early.
The star continued, stating that the criticism about her weight contributed to her decision to leave social media earlier this year.
While she admits to having returned to Instagram and Twitter in recent months, she revealed that she rarely looks at her timeline.
‘I'm very happy with living my life and being present,’ she explained. ‘Because that's it. Similar to me posting a photo and walking away; for me that's it. I will do a red carpet, I will do whatever; I don't need to see it; I participated; I felt wonderful and that's where the extent of it is. I don't care to expose myself to everyone and hear what they have to say.
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The ‘Bad Liar’ singer said that she hopes others find confidence in themselves to follow suit, adding that there are ‘so many beautiful girls and amazing different characters’ who are being ‘demolished by an image that they're trying to chase’.
‘They're wanting to be a completely different person, but that's not what’s inside of them,’ she said.
The Texas-born star said that she knows all too well how easy it is to fall victim to the pitfalls of social media and comparing yourself to others. ‘But I get it, I look at other people's pages—or I used to—and I'd be like, “Okay, I need to fix myself”.’
Gomez's comments come days after it was spotted that the singer had reached out to Bella Hadid - The Weeknd's ex girlfriend - on Instagram following their complicated relationship over the years.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
