Selena Gomez has a succinct response to anyone criticizing her for being open and vulnerable about her personal struggles: “f–k off.”
The “Only Murders in the Building” star, 32, delivered her powerful message at a Women in Film dinner in Beverly Hills on Thursday night, a little over a week after she revealed that she is not able to carry her own children.
“I truly believe that there is power in being vulnerable and telling people when you need help or when you want help — that is not shameful,” Gomez said, as seen in a viral video taken at the event that was later posted on X and other platforms.
Selena Gomez spoke at a Women in Film dinner on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.
“So yeah, I shared that I can’t carry a child. Yeah, I shared that I have bipolar. F–k off. That’s what my life is. That’s who I am.”
The Emmy-nominated actress attended the dinner with her younger sister Gracie Teefey, 11, and at times spoke directly to her while addressing the group of women.
“I really want to be an advocate for women, and that’s why I share; that’s why I like to be honest, because everybody’s going through something,” she explained. “I don’t have it all put together. I’m not a, you know, whatever. I am me, and that’s all I can be.”
Gomez attended the event with her younger sister Gracie, 11.
The “Only Murders in the Building” star addressed her sister at times while speaking.
Speaking a bit more pointedly, she added, “Do not ever let anyone tell you that you are not a good person.”
“Screw anyone who tells you you’re a victim. You’re a survivor in my book.”
Gomez disclosed that she is not able to carry children in a new interview with Vanity Fair published on Sept. 9.
“I haven’t ever said this, but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children,” she told the magazine. “I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.”
Selena Gomez arrives at the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
The actress and singer has opened up about her health struggles in the past. She was diagnosed with lupus in 2013, had a kidney transplant in 2017 and was also diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2018.
Despite the challenges, Gomez — who is dating record producer Benny Blanco — is not letting her medical history stop her from having a family.
“It’s not necessarily the way I envisioned it,” she told Vanity Fair. “I thought it would happen the way it happens for everyone. I’m in a much better place with that. I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me.”
Selena Gomez and Gracie Elliot Teefey attend the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton on Jan. 10, 2023, in Beverly Hills, Calif. WireImage
In a July 31, 2024 Instagram post, Gomez wrote of her sister Gracie: “There’s nothing like a little sister and the bond you have.” She added, “I will forever protect you, help guide you and love you through every single moment in life baby girl.” selenagomez/Instagram
“It made me really thankful for the other outlets for people who are dying to be moms. I’m one of those people,” she continued. “I’m excited for what that journey will look like, but it’ll look a little different. At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby.”
