Grammy-nominated singer and “Only Murders in the Building” star Selena Gomez has opened up about how constant public commentary about her weight affects her mental health, despite her best efforts to tune out the noise. The 32-year-old actress made these candid admissions during a recent appearance on the “On Purpose with Jay Shetty” podcast, where she appeared alongside her fiancé, music producer Benny Blanco.
“My weight’s a big one too,” Gomez shared on the March 24 episode. “Everybody just has something to say, and it’s really making me sad. Not even sad—no I’m not a victim—but I think it’s made me a tad bitter. And I feel really guilty for saying that. But it’s true,” according to E! Online.
Double Standards and Diverse Criticism
The “Hands to Myself” singer highlighted the disparity in how men and women in the entertainment industry are treated, particularly regarding physical appearance. “It’s just so difficult from the choices, the people you date. It’s like nobody cares about that stuff with men,” she explained.
Gomez, who has been open about her lupus diagnosis and the resulting weight fluctuations from her medication and treatments, pointed out that body scrutiny is just one aspect of the multifaceted criticism she faces.
“It’s the character that gets judged. It’s the way I’m not white enough,” she continued. “I’m not Mexican enough. There’s just so many different things that come up in my face that I just can’t help but see,” The News International reported.
Selena Gomez was being body shamed by millions, made fun of for her swelling due to medications from her auto immune disease, and constantly posted videos to not let hate win, but the spark in her eyes were fading. You can tell she was heartbroken & Lady Gaga was there 🥺 pic.twitter.com/dCF4puBfYT
— Selenur (@yourightselena) March 24, 2025
Red Carpet Anxiety
The former Disney star revealed that public appearances have become a source of anxiety, with her main concern being how her body will be perceived rather than celebrating her work or accomplishments.
“This isn’t news to anybody that women have a lot more intense feelings from their appearance, to what they are wearing, to everything,” Gomez said. “When I get prepared for an event, 90 percent of the time I’m saying, ‘I just hope I can take the picture and sit down.'”
This confession offers a stark glimpse into the psychological burden carried by female celebrities when navigating public-facing aspects of their careers, suggesting that even global superstars aren’t immune to the pressures of societal beauty standards.
Digital Detox as Self-Preservation
To manage the negative impact of online commentary, Gomez has adopted a straightforward approach: staying offline. “I’m just happier that I don’t have that. I had to stop after a while. And I still take breaks because I’m human and sometimes I read things,” she admitted.
“But I do most of the time ignore everything. I don’t have anything on my phone at that moment. So, there are ways to combat it,” she added, suggesting that creating distance from social media platforms has become a necessary self-preservation tactic.
This approach aligns with Gomez’s past decisions to step back from personally managing her social media accounts, despite having one of the largest Instagram followings in the world.
reposting this since yall wanna bodyshame selena gomez to the point that her ex had to post an instagram story to defend her…… pic.twitter.com/cL397IMVxC
— . (@selovelenaa) February 27, 2025
Finding Authentic Support
Amid the critical noise, Gomez shared that her relationship with Blanco, who proposed in December after one year of dating, has provided a genuine source of validation and comfort.
“He’s the one person, you know when you’re saying those nice things to me babe, I believe him,” the “Younger & Hotter Than Me” singer said, addressing Blanco directly during the podcast. “To where I’m not going to believe someone who is blowing smoke up my butt to just make me feel good. He’s saying it because he believes it, and that makes me feel good.”
Gomez has consistently demonstrated resilience in the face of public scrutiny, frequently speaking out against body shaming and encouraging her fans to embrace self-acceptance. In previous social media posts, she has addressed critics directly, reminding them that her weight fluctuations are connected to her health conditions.
Her honest discussion adds to a growing conversation about the harmful effects of body commentary on public figures, particularly women, and the double standards that persist in how male and female celebrities are evaluated in the media and by the public.
