Selena Gomez is learning how to navigate comments on her body.
The Only Murders in the Building star admitted that she has felt extremely hurt over people criticizing her due to her weight over the years.
“I’ve dealt with a lot of weight issues in my life,” Selena told Allure in an interview published Sept. 9, “and that’s something I’m very sensitive to.”
But the 33-year-old—who was diagnosed in 2013 with the autoimmune disease lupus, which can cause pain and inflammation throughout the body—has been working through her intense reactions to the negativity through dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which she described as “peeling away layers” of her experiences and behaviors to better comprehend her own emotions.
Recalling a conversation she’s had with her DBT therapist, Selena said, “I got stung by a person saying I was fat. Why is that [emotion] coming up?”
And the “Hands to Myself” singer said that the discussions will ultimately lead her to a conclusion, such as, “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 added, “You just definitely have to be willing to do the work, and that part can be tricky.”
Selena’s mindset about her condition isn’t the only area she’s seen improvement in either. The Rare Beauty founder is currently in remission from lupus, which she had to undergo a kidney transplant for in 2017.
Still, that doesn’t mean she’s totally exempt from experiencing pain flare-ups. As she noted, “I deal with a lot of dexterity issues myself, and it can get frustrating.”
“Even just popping open a can can hurt,” she continued. “I know what that feels like.”
But whether it’s her health, her career or her personal life, Selena—who announced her engagement to Benny Blanco in December following one year of dating—insisted that she’s going to continue striving to be her best.
“I want to keep evolving and getting better in every area of my life,” the Disney Channel alum said. “And I want to experience everything, so it’s important for me to keep myself in check.”
She added, “I’m so stoked that when an emotion pops up, I’m able to acknowledge it and be a part of it, then let it go.”
For more of Selena over the years, keep reading.
