Selena's journey was not easy, despite her fame. She faced health issues, body criticism, and public scrutiny. However, she became an inspiration for self-love and strength, teaching us to embrace our flaws.
Selena delighted her fans by sharing a throwback post.
© Vogue Taiwan / Wikimedia Commons, © CC-BY-3.0, FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP / East News
Selena recently posted on Instagram, looking back at old photos of herself in a bikini. She thought about how her body has changed over the years. In one picture from 2013, she was carefree and glowing in a zebra-print bikini at 21 years old.
«Today I realized I will never look like this again…» she penned alongside the image, baring her vulnerability to the world.
The challenges she's faced in life have helped shape who she is today.
© VOGUE Taiwan / Wikimedia Commons, © CC-BY-3.0, © selenagomez / Instagram
Selena continued to show her bravery by comparing her past self to a recent photo from her 2023 Cabo San Lucas trip. In the picture, she confidently displayed her 31-year-old self in a high-waisted bikini. She admitted, “I'm not perfect, but I'm proud of who I am… Sometimes I forget it's okay to be me.” Her words reflected a powerful blend of courage and self-acceptance.
© selenagomez / Instagram, © selenagomez / Instagram
Version 1: Selena occasionally shares old photos of herself, but her followers have mixed reactions. Some even criticize her, believing that she longs to be that person again.
- Posting old pic won't make you thin, honey. © its_annu__babe / Instagram
- Biggest victim player in the world. © cruisse.0 / Instagram
While some give her real support:
- You guys need help for real. Her being a public figure doesn't mean that you can go all the way down and hate someone saying all these disgusting words. © thedullmoonie / Instagram
© Joella Marano / Wikimedia Commons, © CC-BY-SA-2.0, © selenagomez / Instagram
Selena has faced many challenges in her journey in the spotlight. Despite dealing with the pressure to maintain a specific image and health issues like Lupus and bipolar disorder, she has stayed true to herself and not conformed to society's beauty standards.
During an honest interview with Fast Company, Selena shared how criticism about her body affected her mental health. She remembered feeling embarrassed during photo shoots when the clothes didn't fit, showing the pressure on women's bodies. Despite the criticism, Selena stayed strong, not letting others control her appearance or self-esteem.
Selena challenges the norms of an image-focused society.
Selena Gomez frequently utilizes platforms such as TikTok and social media to spread messages of empowerment. Recently, she took to Instagram to share a heartfelt message addressed to her younger self. Selena encouraged others to treat themselves with kindness and urged her younger self to not hesitate in seeking help when needed. Additionally, she reminded everyone to show themselves compassion, emphasizing the importance of appreciating their unique appearance: “Value your face and body, even if they don't resemble others'. You are simply being true to yourself.”
© rarebeauty / Instagram, © selenagomez / Instagram
Gomez motivated her fans to pen down a note to their younger selves, using the hashtag #rarereminder from her beauty brand, Rare Beauty, to reinforce their value and self-care. Additionally, she shared a heartfelt message on her personal Instagram page: “Dear younger me, don't hesitate to seek assistance.”
Selena bridges the gap between celebrities and fans, making connections more personal and accessible.
Selena has formed a deep connection with her fans by being open and relatable, breaking down the divide between celebrities and their admirers. This shows that even famous people can experience insecurity and doubt. However, Selena's unwavering dedication to being genuine and strong distinguishes her from others, especially in the midst of fame.
Selena gracefully and humbly sails through the challenging waters of fame, recognizing her flaws but embracing her inherent value. Her importance lies in her capacity to rise above the shallow aspects of celebrity, becoming a loyal friend, a trusted companion, and a symbol of unwavering self-acceptance in a world that frequently expects uniformity.
Selena Gomez courageously acknowledges she's not a model and motivates women to accept their bodies, just like she does. She leads by example, demonstrating that it's time to let go of outdated beauty norms and just live life to the fullest.
Preview photo credit FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP / East News, Vogue Taiwan / Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-3.0, Joella Marano / Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-2.0