Breaking: 5 Times Selena Gomez Took Body-Shamers To Task

Selena Gomez isn’t afraid to shut down body-shamers. Even though confidence hasn’t always come easy for her. In her 2022 documentary, “My Mind & Me,” Gomez shared an upsetting video taken in 2016 — the year after she told Power 106 Los Angeles she was shamed for the first time. In it, the singer and actor openly criticized herself as she looked at an outfit. “I wanna have the body to wear it proudly and I want the booty that I don’t have. My body’s very young. [I want to] look like a woman and not like a 12-year-old boy,” she said (via People). Heartbreakingly, the “Kill Em with Kindness” hitmaker admitted she heard a voice in her head that told her she wasn’t good enough.

That’s not the only time she’s highlighted her struggles, either. In January 2024, on Instagram Stories, Gomez posted a photo of herself from 2013 wearing a zebra-print two-piece. “Today I realized I will never look like this again…” she wrote (via Page Six). The “Spring Breakers” actor then posted another bikini snap, taken almost a decade later. “I’m not perfect, but I am proud to be who I am … Sometimes I forget it’s ok to be me,” she wrote alongside that photo. But even though she may forget sometimes, she’s reminded the trolls. Several times.

Selena Gomez told body-shamers to go away
One of our favorite times Selena Gomez took the trolls to task was during a February 2023 TikTok Live. After reading comments about her appearance online, Gomez shared she’d gained weight due to her Lupus medication. “I just wanted to say and encourage anyone out there who feels any sort of shame for exactly what they’re going through, and nobody knows the real story … you’re beautiful and you’re wonderful,” she said. Rightly so, Gomez said she’d rather take her medication and be healthy than hyper-focused on her appearance. “[I’m] not a model, never will be. And I think they’re awesome, mind you. I just, definitely, I’m not that,” she added, growing emotional as she spoke. 

Gomez also had an important message for anyone spreading negativity, especially on her social media pages. “I just wanted to tell you I love you guys and thanks for supporting me and understanding. And, if not, go away.
‘Cause, honestly, I don’t believe in shaming people for their body or anything.” We couldn’t have put it better ourselves.