Selena Gomez has lived many lives. She is a global pop star with three number-one albums, the fifth-most-followed person on Instagram, an actor since the age of seven, an executive producer of documentaries and television, a tabloid fixation, a philanthropist, a mental health advocate, and, most recently, the founder of an inclusive beauty line, all at the age of 27. She is also a lupus survivor, having been diagnosed with the inflammatory condition in 2013 and requiring a kidney transplant in 2017. It’s been so a lot to put on the shoulders of a girl from Grand Prairie, Texas, that there were doubts about her ability to survive. The answer, as it turns out, is a resounding yes. Gomez returned to the public eye last year with “Lose You to Love Me,” a self-empowerment hymn that alchemized personal catastrophe into public catharsis, following a public fight with anxiety and depression and the treatment that followed. The song was the lead single from Rare, an intimate dance-floor confessional that transforms vulnerability into strength and failure into triumph. Gomez assures her pal, comedian Amy Schumer, that she will be fine.
SCHUMER: Pay attention to your body. I listen to mine, and it tells me every day not to do Zumba. I’m going to be extra cautious in this interview because you’re under such a microscope. You can’t cough without making headlines.
GOMEZ: The unfortunate part is that I can’t recall a period when that wasn’t the case. What has kept me afloat is the knowledge that it will someday be someone else—and I don’t mean that negatively. It’s sometimes been detrimental to my work, but other times it’s been like, “Now I can talk about things like my depression and anxiety, things that I’ve fought with and am very honest about because I believe in seeking assistance.” Apart from that, what keeps me grounded is that I try my hardest to avoid it. It’s not as if I’m not living my life.
SCHUMER: On Instagram, I believe I have almost 10 million. What I go through, you go through ten or twenty times as much. What compelled you to expose all the intimate details of your life with so many people watching?
GOMEZ: I never intended to become a tabloid reporter. So when things went that way, they spiralled out of hand. “Wait a minute, none of this is true,” I thought. The way the media has occasionally attempted to explain things has made it sound quite horrible, while there is nothing wrong with the fact that I needed to go or that I fell in love. People were stealing my narrative and it was killing me, so I had to start opening up. I’m so young, and my life will continue to change, and no one has the right to tell me how it should be.
SCHUMER: I like your film 13 Reasons Why. There’s such a connection there because, while you are a renowned person, it feels just as huge to the girl who is lied about and bullied in high school.
GOMEZ: That’s why it bothers me. I saw on the news that an 11-year-old boy committed suicide because a female was harassing him online. I don’t want to live in a world where such is the case. It makes no difference what scale it’s on.
SCHUMER: You’ve already assisted many others, particularly young ones, in better understanding their mental health concerns. Do you believe that is your calling?
GOMEZ: I’m not sure whether it was ever supposed to be my function, but I love people. I’m concerned. I’ve been through a lot of medical challenges, and I know I can help those who are going through similar scary situations, such as an organ transplant, dialysis, or travelling for treatment. One of the main reasons I have a platform is to help people. That is why I believe I am comfortable with the magnitude. I mean, I’m not alright with it—but I’ll pretend I am because it’s worthwhile. I know I’m making someone happy or making them feel understood or heard, and that’s worth it to me.
SCHUMER: What information do you want people to know about lupus?
GOMEZ: I’ve been working with the Lupus Research Alliance for a few years, and there are several sorts of autoimmune disorders. Some persons with lupus experience physical symptoms that are more obvious. But I had no notion I possessed it. There were no outward indicators of it. And when I was 16, my blood pressure was at a level that physicians indicated I should have had as a result of a stroke. They admitted me to the hospital because they couldn’t figure out what was causing my blood pressure to be so high. Some people require transplants as a result of it, which is something that is rarely discussed. I’m incredibly honoured to be a part of that group and to research ways to make it safer for individuals to receive treatment or to detect it sooner.
SCHUMER: I like your new CD. I’ve been listening to it while nursing the baby. I listen to it when performing a post-IBS senior workout, and it’s fascinating to me that it’s labelled as pop music, given the subject matter. What is it like to blend intention with the genre?
GOMEZ: I wanted to make sure that each song on this album meant something to me, that it represented a tale that happened to me or that I’m still going through.
SCHUMER: I think a lot of people can connect to the song “Lose You to Love Me.” Do you recall the moment you realised you needed to get yourself back?
GOMEZ: Yes, I do. I composed it near the beginning of last year after I had just finished treatment. When I returned, I was like, “I’m ready to go into the studio with folks I trust and start working on songs.” There was a pleasant atmosphere around it because it felt like I was finally going to be myself. However, I did not perceive it that way at the time. When I created the song, I was essentially expressing that I needed to hit rock bottom to see that there was a massive veil over my face.
SCHUMER: This is your third No. 1 album. Do you find that amusing?
GOMEZ: It’s so strange that I almost didn’t notice. My mother is one of the most amazing women in the world, and I credit her for everything. “If you didn’t get the part, it’s because it was meant for someone else, and you should be happy for them,” she would always say to me. Yours will arrive.” She instilled in me that mindset. What was the question, again?
SCHUMER: I was just commenting about how great it is to have numerous number-one records.
GOMEZ: Correct. I didn’t forget about the other two. It’s just that I don’t sit down and total everything in my head.
SCHUMER: It is improper for you to brag about it or not be humble about it as a woman. However, men are urged to do so. This CD has received rave reviews from critics. Do you read reviews and are they influential on you?
GOMEZ: I’ve read a few, especially since my last record was five years ago. My friend sent me a few positive reviews, which felt incredible because not all of my albums had received such positive feedback. I didn’t go any further because I’m aware of what happens to me. Getting caught up in an internet tidal wave? It’s impossible for me.
SCHUMER: I can take the train and have some coffee, and maybe a few people may say hello, but I’ve never been mobbed—except at this one bat mitzvah. But when I’m out in the world, I can sense the excitement on the street if I have a comedy special out that people like. This CD has been a huge success. Can you sense it?
SCHUMER: Your new album is fantastic. I’ve been listening to it with the infant. I listen to it while I’m doing a post-IBS elder workout, and it’s fascinating to me that it’s labelled as pop music, given the subject matter. How does it feel to mix intention with the genre?
GOMEZ: I wanted to make sure, especially on this album, that each song meant something to me, that it represented a situation that occurred to me or that I’m still going through.
SCHUMER: I believe a lot of people may connect to the song “Lose You to Love Me.” Do you recall when you realised you had to get yourself back?
GOMEZ: I do. I composed it at the beginning of last year, fresh out of treatment. When I returned, I said to myself, “I’m ready to get into the studio with people I trust and start working on music.” People were ecstatic because it felt like I was finally going to be myself. But I didn’t always view it that way. When I created the song, I was expressing that I needed to hit rock bottom to see that there was a large veil over my face.
SCHUMER: This is your third number-one album. Do you think that’s funny?
GOMEZ: It’s so strange that it almost didn’t occur to me. My mother is one of the most incredible women in the world, and I credit her for everything. She used to say to me, “If you didn’t get the part, it was because it was meant for someone else, and you should be glad for them.” “Yours will arrive.” She instilled in me that mentality. Wait, what was the question?
SCHUMER: I was just talking about the accomplishment of having numerous number-one records.
GOMEZ: That’s right. It’s not that I forgot about the other two. It’s just that I don’t tally everything in my head.
SCHUMER: It’s wrong for you to brag about it or not be humble about it as a woman. But guys are encouraged to do so. This album has received a lot of praise from critics. Do you read reviews and how do they affect you?
GOMEZ: I’ve read a handful, especially because I hadn’t released an album in five years. My friend sent me a few positive reviews, which felt amazing because not all of my albums had received such positive feedback. I didn’t go any further since I know what happens to me. Are you going down the internet rabbit hole? I can’t do it.
SCHUMER: I can take the metro and buy coffee, and maybe some people will say hello to me, but I’ve never been mobbed—except at this one bat mitzvah. But when I’m out in the world, if I have a comedy special out that people like, I can sense the electricity on the street. This record is a huge success. Can you feel it?
SCHUMER: I’m motivated by everything you’ve accomplished. You created the docuseries Living Undocumented and then reissued some of your music in Spanish. What is the significance of those two items to you?
GOMEZ: I adore music, but I have several stories I’d like to tell. I knew there would be blowback if I did that series.
SCHUMER: Are you sure?
GOMEZ: Yeah, but I want to talk about something essential. I want people to quit asking foolish questions about stuff that no one cares about. Inquire about important issues with me.
SCHUMER: Do you believe you’ll get active in the presidential race?
GOMEZ: No, I don’t intend to do it for the next 30 years. [Laughs] However, I am urging as many people as possible to vote. It’s something that my buddies and I constantly discuss. I’ll be actively campaigning for folks to vote.
SCHUMER: Do you have a favourite TV show?
GOMEZ: I enjoy Succession.
SCHUMER: Have you seen Cheer?
GOMEZ: No, but I recall you telling me I should.
SCHUMER: What do you and your buddies dance to when you’re having a good time?
GOMEZ: Big Sean’s “I Don’t Fuck With You.” It’s pretty much the best song in the universe. When you sing it, you release a lot of aggression. Darkly, it feels incredibly healing.
SCHUMER: Do you believe I’m too old for a scrunchie?
Amy, GOMEZ: I do not believe you are too old to do anything.
SCHUMER: My assistant placed a scrunchie in my hair the other day, and when I glanced in the mirror, I looked melancholy. Just be truthful with me. Would you say, “Oh, that’s sad,” if you saw a picture of me in a scrunchie?
GOMEZ: First and foremost, I’m enamoured with you. Second, I would never think such a thing. Please put on a scrunchie.
SCHUMER: You’re launching a makeup line. How do you feel about makeup?
GOMEZ: I wanted to start a discussion on how to make yourself feel good. It’s not always necessary to have these things to feel beautiful. People my age are under a lot of pressure to look a certain way, and I wanted to create a brand that relieved some of that strain. In my campaigns, I use real individuals. I have 48 foundation and concealer colours. Everything is incredibly clean and simple. I wanted everyone to feel secure.
SCHUMER: Okay, but can you create clump-free mascara?
GOMEZ: Of course, I will.
SCHUMER: Could you please? I can’t seem to find any. Kid Cudi’s height?
GOMEZ: He’s about three inches taller than me.
SCHUMER: You’re not that tall, according to my memories.
GOMEZ: I’m 5’5″. That’s average, right?
SCHUMER: I don’t want to put you down, but you’re not tall. What is the favourite snack that makes you feel good about yourself?
GOMEZ: Peanut butter with apples.
SCHUMER: Can I offer a quick recommendation? If you mix one spoonful of peanut butter with three spoons of yoghurt and dip an apple in it, it will alter your life. Your purpose may be to promote mental health, but mine is to spread the word about this food.
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