Selena Gomez Confronts Body-Shaming: A Call to End Hollywood’s Gender Double Standards in 2025
March 26, 2025 – Selena Gomez steps into the spotlight, but not for a performance. She faces a harsh reality: millions online dissect her every angle. On the March 24, 2025, episode of the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast, the 32-year-old singer and actress joins her fiancé, Benny Blanco. She shares a raw look at body-shaming’s toll. “Everyone has something to say,” Gomez says, her voice heavy with frustration. “I feel a tad bitter.” However, her words target a deeper issue a Hollywood double standard. “Nobody cares about these things with men,” she adds.
Gomez’s comments spark a firestorm. They trend on X with hashtags like #SelenaGomez and #BodyPositivity. As a Latina woman with a chronic illness, her story resonates. It highlights the challenges women face in entertainment. At American Celebrity News, we explore her narrative. We examine her health journey, her mental health advocacy, and her call for change in 2025.
Facing Lupus in the Public Eye
Gomez’s body image struggles tie directly to her health. She received a lupus diagnosis in 2014. This chronic autoimmune disease affects over 1.5 million Americans, says the Lupus Foundation of America. It causes inflammation, fatigue, and organ damage. Medications like corticosteroids often help, but they bring side effects. For Gomez, these include weight gain and water retention.
In 2017, Gomez underwent a kidney transplant. Her friend Francia Raisa donated the kidney, saving her life. “I choose health over looks,” Gomez tells Shetty. “My medications keep me stable, and I value that.” In a 2023 TikTok Live, she explained her situation. “I hold a lot of water weight. That’s normal,” she said. “When I’m off the medication, I lose weight.” She aims to normalize these changes. Yet, online criticism continues.
RECOMMENDED: Slick Watts, Seattle SuperSonics Legend, Dies at 73 in 2025
Kaia Gerber and Lewis Pullman Spark Romance Rumors at His Birthday Party
Gomez has faced this scrutiny before. In 2023, she spoke on Apple TV+’s Dear… series. She admitted she “lied” about ignoring body-shaming comments. “I cried privately,” she revealed, despite her public defiance. In November 2024, she addressed posture criticism at an Emilia Pérez premiere. She linked it to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which causes bloating. “I don’t care about looking like a stick figure,” she wrote on TikTok. Still, the comments hurt. “I can’t avoid seeing them,” she says on the podcast. She removed social media apps from her phone, but some negativity slips through.
Highlighting Hollywood’s Gender Bias
Gomez feels frustrated, and for good reason. She points out a clear double standard. “Women face intense pressure about their appearance,” she tells Shetty. She often dreads events. “I just hope I can take the picture and sit down,” she admits. Meanwhile, Benny Blanco shrugs off online comments. “Hating is free,” the 37-year-old producer says. Gomez notes that men find this easier.
Research supports her claim. The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media finds a disparity. Women in entertainment face more judgment on looks than men. Men often get evaluated on talent or achievements. Some male stars, like Jason Momoa, face body criticism. However, women endure far more. Stars like Lizzo and Billie Eilish have called out similar scrutiny. As Gomez says, men rarely face this level of judgment. This disparity fuels her bitterness.
Moreover, Gomez faces intersectional challenges. As a Latina woman, she navigates cultural expectations. “I’m not white enough, I’m not Mexican enough,” she says. Her role in Emilia Pérez, a 2024 Spanish-language musical drama, drew mixed reactions. Some praised her performance. Others questioned her authenticity. These judgments on her body, ethnicity, and career highlight the unique pressures women of color face in Hollywood.
Building Resilience Through Advocacy
Despite the criticism, Gomez stands firm. “I’m not a victim,” she declares on the podcast. She shows resilience in her actions. For years, she has championed mental health. In 2020, she launched the Rare Impact Fund. It aims to increase mental health access for young people. This mission reflects her own struggles with anxiety and depression. “Social media is powerful but tricky,” she tells Shetty. That’s why she removed those apps from her phone. Other stars, like Zendaya and Millie Bobby Brown, have done the same to protect their well-being.
Additionally, Gomez advocates for body positivity. She shares her lupus journey to educate fans. She challenges the stigma around weight changes. “I’m trying to be a good example,” she said in 2023. Her efforts continue today. Fans on X praise her courage. “Selena Gomez speaking out is so important,” one user writes. “She shows us health comes first.” Another adds, “Hollywood must stop judging women like this. Selena’s story wakes us up.”
SUBSCRIBE OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM
Pushing for Change in 2025
Gomez’s comments arrive at a key moment. In 2025, entertainment grapples with new standards. Representation, mental health, and body image are hot topics. Movements like #BodyPositivity and #MentalHealthMatters gain traction. Stars like Demi Lovato and Jameela Jamil push for self-acceptance. Yet, online body-shaming persists. Gomez’s story shows that change is slow. It requires collective action.
On a personal note, Gomez finds joy amidst challenges. She got engaged to Benny Blanco in December 2024. She plans a wedding focused on love and authenticity. “He’s my best friend,” she said in a recent interview. Blanco’s support on the podcast is clear. He listens as she shares her struggles. Their partnership offers her strength.
Gomez sends a clear message: Hollywood must end these double standards. Her bitterness reflects a broader issue. It harms women in the industry. By speaking out, she reclaims her narrative. She also invites fans to challenge norms. “I choose health,” she says, offering a mantra for all facing scrutiny.
READ MORE: Why Corbin Burnes waited out MLB winter to find ‘ideal spot’ with Diamondbacks
How Can We Support This Shift?
First, we can amplify voices like Gomez’s. Share stories that value health over looks. Next, educate ourselves about lupus. Understand its physical and emotional toll. Finally, as fans, hold media accountable. Demand coverage that celebrates talent, not superficial standards.
Selena Gomez’s journey proves her resilience. She stands tall despite criticism. As we move through 2025, let’s heed her words. Let’s build a Hollywood where women shine for their contributions, not their bodies. Share your thoughts below. How can we make body positivity the norm in entertainment?
