Selena Gomez reveals she’s been ‘crying her eyes out’ over body shaming comments, despite her confident front on social media

Selena Gomez has spoken out about how cruel body shaming has affected her in her private life – admitting that though she tries to maintain a positive outlook for her fans, it is incredibly hurtful behind the scenes.

A new episode of Apple TV documentary series Dear… features Selena, as she opens up about her mental health and body image struggles.

Talking of her lupus treatment, she said: “My weight would constantly fluctuate because I would be on certain medications. And obviously, people just ran with it. It was like they couldn’t wait to find a thing to bring me down. I was being shamed for gaining weight because of my lupus.”

“I lied. I would go online and I would post a picture of myself and I would say, ‘It doesn’t matter. I’m not accepting what you’re saying.’ All the while, being in the room posting and crying my eyes out because nobody deserves to hear those things.”

She added: “Though I was posting these things saying it doesn’t bother me, because I didn’t want it to bother other people who are experiencing the same thing, getting shamed for what they look like, who they are, who they love… I just think it’s so unfair. I don’t think that anybody deserves to feel less than.”

Selena Gomez has been open about her experiences with the autoimmune disease lupus since 2015, and has had to undergo a number of gruelling treatments including chemotherapy and a kidney transplant (with a kidney donated by her close friend, actor Francia Raísa). 

In February, she responded once again to comments on her weight. She said:  “I tend to hold a lot of water weight and that happens very normally. When I’m off [the medication] 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, that you’re beautiful and you’re wonderful and yeah we have days where maybe we feel like shit but I would much rather be helpful and take care of myself. My medications are important and I believe that’s what helps me. So yeah, not a model, never will be – but then I think they’re awesome mind you – I’m just definitely not that.”

Selena added before ending the video: “So that’s it, this is getting a little too much, I just thought I’d tell you I love you guys and thanks for supporting me and understanding me. If not, then go away because I don’t believe in shaming people for their body.”