Monday’s American Music Awards (AMAs) delivered all the usual celebrity silliness — everything from a dangerously high-cut dress to a questionable celebrity impersonation (hello, Gigi “Melania Trump” Hadid).
Yet there was also a moment that struck a chord with celebrities and viewers alike, and shone the media spotlight on an issue that impacts on countless lives around the world: mental illness.
While accepting her award for Favourite Pop/Rock Female Artist, Selena Gomez spoke honestly about the mental health struggles she’s been experiencing in recent months.
In August, the singer announced she was taking a break from work to address her issues with “anxiety, panic attacks and depression”, which had emerged as side-effects of lupus.
During her AMAs speech, Gomez revealed the extent to which these experiences affected her.
"It's safe to say most of you know my life, whether I liked it or not. And I had to stop, because I had everything," she explained.
"I was absolutely broken inside. I kept it all together enough to where I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down."
Watch the speech here. Post continues after video.
The 24-year-old then compelled her fans to look after and focus on their wellbeing.
"I don’t want to see your bodies on Instagram. I want to see what’s in here [gestures to heart]. I’m not trying to get validation, nor do I need it any more," she said.
"I have to say thank you so much to my fans because you guys are so damn loyal and I don’t know what I did to deserve you. But if you are broken, you do not have to stay broken.
"If that’s anything, whether you respect me or not, that’s one thing you should know about me is that I care about people."
Brava, Selena.
Top Comments
I've never paid much attention to Selena and put her in the "Disney teeny-bopper" box, however, I saw her speech and I must say what a classy young lady. Good on her for looking after herself and good on her re her speech. We DO need to teach our young girls that we don't need to see their bodies on instagram to feel validated. There are so many other more worthwhile qualities that people should be noticed for.
Such a good role model