Selena Gomez said relentless body‑shaming over the years contributed to long‑standing insecurity and inner turmoil, and that she uses dialectical behavior therapy to identify and manage the emotions those attacks trigger.
Gomez, 33, discussed the issue in an Allure cover story published Tuesday, saying she remains "very sensitive" about weight and that therapy has helped her "peel away layers" and connect current reactions to past experiences. "I got stung by a person saying I was fat. Why is that [emotion] coming up?" she said, describing how therapists guide patients to examine the origins of painful responses.
Gomez described dialectical behavior therapy, or DBT, as a form of talk therapy used for people who experience intense emotions, noting some therapists provide small cards with prompting questions to help patients work through feelings. The Cleveland Clinic defines DBT as a therapy that teaches skills to manage distress and regulate emotion.
She has been open about multiple health challenges that have affected her weight and well‑being. Gomez was diagnosed with lupus in 2014 and later underwent a kidney transplant and chemotherapy. In April 2020 she disclosed a bipolar disorder diagnosis, which she has said helped explain much of her emotional history. Gomez has also reported struggles with depression and anxiety.
Gomez told Allure that medication for lupus can cause weight fluctuations. She reiterated comments she has made previously, including a February 2023 TikTok Live in which she said, "When I’m taking it, I tend to hold a lot of water weight, and that happens very normally. When I’m off of it, I tend to kind of lose weight." She added that despite off‑days she prioritizes her health and believes her medications are important.
The performer and Rare Beauty founder has publicly pushed back against critics who comment on her appearance. After attending the 2023 Golden Globes in a strapless Valentino gown, Gomez addressed trolls on Instagram Live, joking, "I’m a little bit big right now because I enjoyed myself during the holidays," and adding, "But we don’t care." In April 2022 she wrote on social media, "I am perfect the way I am," and has at times used humor to deflect criticism about body image.
Gomez said DBT requires commitment and self‑work. "You just definitely have to be willing to do the work, and that part can be tricky," she told Allure, describing the therapy as a process of asking why certain emotions arise and tracing them to earlier events, including health‑related weight changes.
Her comments come amid a broader cultural conversation about celebrity body‑shaming and the intersection of health, medication and public scrutiny. Gomez’s account includes both medical explanations that can affect body size and ongoing public commentary that she says continues to trigger insecurity. She has repeatedly stated she is not a model and has rejected narrow expectations about celebrity appearance.
Gomez continues to act and produce music while expanding her cosmetics business and speaking about mental health. Her remarks to Allure add to a documented history of candid discussions about diagnosis, treatment and the impact of public commentary on personal well‑being.
