"It was scary to be that vulnerable" — Selena Gomez opens up about speaking publicly on mental health struggles

Actress and singer Selena Gomez opened up about her mental health struggles in an exclusive interview with Billboard, published on April 24, 2025. Gomez shared that she believed it was important to speak up about causes that mattered to her, regardless of fame.

She admitted it wasn’t easy, since being vocal often led to criticism and strong opinions from others. Gomez said:

“I remember when I decided to be open about my own personal mental health, it was scary to be that vulnerable and I didn’t ever want anyone to think I am a victim. I thought [that] by sharing my own story I could help others, and I will take any negative opinions that come with that because I see the bigger picture of how the conversations have changed around mental health.”

Selena Gomez was given the Woman of the Year award at the Billboard Latin Women in Music gala. For her, the award was meaningful as it allowed women to come together to support one another. She felt honored to be recognized at the event, as her Mexican roots had always played a big role in her life.

Reflecting on how important it was to have representation in the industry, Gomez shared that the most supportive people she had met were fellow Latin women. It was with these women that she felt a strong connection.

Selena Gomez's only advice to the budding artists is to stay true to themselves. The singer urged them to stay away from external opinions, as they could distract them. However, she acknowledged that it wasn't always easy, but believed one's authenticity could make a difference in the long run.

Selena Gomez on her documentary about her struggles in life

In 2022, Selena Gomez was interviewed by ABC News, where she discussed her bipolar disorder. She acknowledged that her condition helped her feel more at peace and allowed her to build a stronger connection with herself.

She was asked how she learned to manage her condition instead of simply dealing with its difficulties. Gomez stated that she took action regarding her feelings and experiences. She regularly consulted a therapist, used workbooks for guidance, wrote music, and directed her experiences into creative projects.

A documentary about her life, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, explores the positive and challenging moments in the singer's life. Discussing the film on The Kelly Clarkson Show in 2023, she said:

“I'm kind of scared like a lot of people are going to see this whole other side of me and I'm like hope they like it.”

Gomez said that even though she was not a professional in the field, she felt a strong understanding with people who had faced similar situations. She did not mind having open talks with others.

This was because she always wanted her work to bring positive feelings to the world. She expressed excitement about people seeing how being honest about her story had been worthwhile.

According to Elle Magazine, in 2018, Selena Gomez said that after the diagnosis of bipolar disorder came through, she felt a significant sense of relief as it helped her understand herself better. Later, she decided to detach from social media platforms.

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