Selena Gomez posted a message to fans this week to address online bullying due to recent changes in her appearance. Gomez detailed that her weight gain is due to medication for lupus, which she announced she was diagnosed with in 2015. Gomez underwent a kidney transplant in 2017, and has undergone chemotherapy as well.
In a TikTok livestream, Gomez explained how medication is necessary to control her condition, and its side affects: “I tend to hold a lot of water weight, and that happens very normally. When I’m off of it, I tend to lose weight. I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what they’re going through, and no one knows the real story … I just want people to know that you’re beautiful and you’re wonderful. Yeah, we have days where maybe we feel like shit, but I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself. And my medications are important, and I believe they are what helps me.” Gomez added: “I just wanted to tell you I love you guys, and thanks for supporting me and understanding … And if not, go away.”
Gomez has had to respond to critics many times in the past; she shared on the ‘Giving Back Generation’ podcast in 2019: “It’s the medication I have to take for the rest of my life — it depends on even the month, to be honest. So for me, I really noticed when people started attacking me for that. And in reality, that’s just my truth. I fluctuate. It depends on what’s happening in my life.” And on social media last year, Gomez proclaimed: “I don’t care about my weight, because people b**ch about it anyway. ‘You’re too small,’ ‘you’re too big,’ ‘that doesn’t fit.’ B**ch, I am perfect the way I am.”
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