Selena Gomez addressed critics who accuse her of playing the ‘victim’ by discussing her bipolar disorder and her challenges with childbearing.
While attending a Women in Film event in California, the Only Murders in the Building actress spoke about the strength in vulnerability and her journey of maintaining authenticity within the industry.
“I truly believe that there is power in being vulnerable and telling people when you need help or when you want help — that is not shameful,” Gomez stated in a video from the event that has since gone viral on Twitter. “So yeah, I shared that I can’t carry a child. Yeah, I shared that I have bipolar…f**k off,” she said, earning applause from other attendees.
“That’s what my life is. That’s who I am,” Gomez added. “And I only want to be an advocate for women and that’s why I share, that’s why I like to be honest.”
“Everybody is going through something. I don’t have it all put together. I’m not a, you know, whatever…I am me and that’s all I can be,” she continued. “So screw anyone who tells you you’re a victim. You’re a survivor in my book.”
The singer and actress also revealed to Vanity Fair that carrying her own children is not an option for her due to health risks.
“I haven’t ever said this, but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children,” she shared with the outlet. “I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.”
“It’s not necessarily the way I envisioned it. I thought it would happen the way it happens for everyone,” Gomez continued. “I’m in a much better place with that. I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me,” she explained regarding her future plans for starting a family.
“It made me really thankful for the other outlets for people who are dying to be moms. I’m one of those people,” Gomez expressed. “I’m excited for what that journey will look like, but it’ll look a little different.”
“At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby,” she concluded.
If you have been affected by the contents of this article, you can find more information and support via the American Pregnancy Association’s website.