Selena Gomez is speaking candidly about the persistent public scrutiny regarding her weight and how she’s learned to cope with hurtful comments. In a recent cover story for Allure’s Best of Beauty issue, the singer and Rare Beauty founder got real about the fat-shaming she has faced throughout her career—and the tools she uses to protect her mental and emotional well-being.
“I’ve struggled with weight issues my whole life, and it’s something I’m really sensitive about,” Gomez shared. Over the years, the 31-year-old has been transparent about how lupus, an autoimmune disease she lives with, causes her body to change. These fluctuations—often side effects of medication or the condition itself—have frequently made her the target of criticism.
In the interview, Gomez emphasized how dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) has helped her process negative emotions triggered by body-shaming. DBT, a form of therapy designed to help people manage intense emotions and improve relationships, has given her practical skills to work through painful moments.
She offered an example: “If someone calls me fat, instead of shutting down, I’ve learned to pause and ask myself: Why does this hurt? Where is this coming from?” Often, she traces those feelings back to past experiences—like dealing with medical treatments that caused weight gain.
Gomez also shared that her therapist provides her with helpful tools, like cue cards with guided questions, which help her navigate emotional challenges in real time. “You have to be willing to put in the work,” she acknowledged. “It isn’t easy.”
This isn’t the first time Gomez has stood up to body-shamers. Last November, after the premiere of Emilia Pérez, she responded to critics on TikTok who commented on her appearance. She revealed she was dealing with SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth), a chronic intestinal condition that causes physical swelling and discomfort.
“This makes me sick,” she wrote. “I have SIBO. It flares up. I don’t care about not looking like a stick figure—I never have. I’m not a victim. I’m human.”
More recently, in July 2024, Gomez responded to online speculation that she’d undergone plastic surgery. Commenting on a TikTok video from a medical professional, she set the record straight: “Honestly, I hate this. I’m bloated because of a flare-up. I’ve had Botox, yes—but that’s it. Leave me alone.”
Through it all, Gomez continues to use her voice to promote body acceptance and mental health awareness—encouraging others to show themselves compassion in the face of criticism.