Selena Gomez is giving fans an unfiltered look into her life in a wide-ranging Allure cover interview, discussing everything from body image and therapy to her relationship with Benny Blanco and ongoing health challenges.
At 33, the singer and actress is reflecting openly on the experiences that have shaped her, showing a level of vulnerability that resonates with many.
Wrestling With Body Image and Weight Criticism
For Gomez, negative comments about her weight have always hit hard.
She told Allure, “I got stung by a person saying I was fat.
Why is that [emotion] coming up?” She explained that her weight fluctuations, sometimes related to health issues, have made her particularly sensitive to such remarks.
She credits dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) for helping her unpack these emotions, tracing them back to periods when her health directly affected her body.
“Oh, now I understand, that’s stemming from that one time when I was going through some medical stuff and I had gained weight,” she said.
“You just definitely have to be willing to do the work, and that part can be tricky.”
Love and Timing with Benny Blanco
Gomez also opened up about her romance with producer Benny Blanco, 36.
She admitted that the timing of their relationship was crucial for its success. “I don’t think I would have been remotely mature enough five years ago,” she said.
“I’ve learned so many lessons since then that led me to being the best partner I could be for Benny.”
Blanco sometimes laments lost time, but Gomez keeps perspective: “He’ll say, ‘Gosh, why did we waste so much time?’ And I always say, ‘You wouldn’t have liked me back then.
I was all over the place.’” Now, she describes him as “one of the most grounding people in my life, and he makes me feel very normal.”
Staying Present Amidst Fame
Away from personal relationships, Gomez emphasizes staying grounded in the present. “I am going to be in this moment.
And who knows, in a couple years I could be done, and that’s fine. I just need to make sure that while I’m here, I do the best I can.”
Part of that focus means stepping back from social media, where she is the third most-followed person in the world.
“I want to feel content in whatever position I’m at in my life, and I want to be present,” she explained.
“I finally feel like I’m in a place where I don’t need to be apologetic for every single thing that I do.”
Ongoing Health Battles
Gomez has faced significant health challenges, including lupus, which led to chemotherapy in 2013 and a kidney transplant in 2017.
She shared, “I deal with a lot of [dexterity issues] myself, and it can get frustrating. Even just popping open a can can hurt.”
Her 2022 documentary, My Mind & Me, also revealed her bipolar disorder diagnosis.
Looking back, she said, “I’m very glad it came out, but that’s not necessarily who I am now.
To be honest, I can’t watch it. But it’s only because I’m not there anymore.”
Coping With Body Shaming
As she’s grown older, Gomez admits her circle has become smaller.
She shared painful memories of crying over cruel comments about her weight, often caused by medication for 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 posting and crying my eyes out,” she revealed.
She explained that part of sharing positivity online was for others experiencing similar struggles.
“I just think it’s so unfair. I don’t think that anybody deserves to feel less than.”
Even in 2023, Gomez defended herself against body-shaming comments following the Golden Globes, joking with her half-sister Gracie about enjoying the holidays and not caring about weight fluctuations.
Owning Her Choices
Gomez has long challenged unrealistic beauty standards.
In 2018, she called out “the beauty myth” after some unflattering photos, writing, “I chose to take care of myself because I want to, not to prove anything to anyone.”
Her honesty reflects a journey of self-acceptance, resilience, and the determination to define her own path—beyond social media, public opinion, or past struggles.