Selena Gomez is someone who, for all her success and fame, seems to be carrying a weight that many of us can relate to: anxiety. As someone who’s been diagnosed with anxiety myself, I can’t help but feel for her. Watching Selena navigate her way through life, it’s clear that the pressure and emotional toll of being a child star, growing up under the intense spotlight of Disney fame, has left a deep mark on her. There are probably so many stories from her past that she hasn’t shared, things she’s kept hidden, maybe even things she might never talk about. But despite everything she’s been through, Selena continues to be an inspiration for speaking out about her mental health struggles.
Growing Up Under a Spotlight
As a child star, Selena was thrust into a world of constant scrutiny. The expectations placed on her from a young age must have been overwhelming. Disney stars, especially, are groomed to be perfect—smiling, well-behaved, and always on point in every public appearance. For someone like Selena, who entered the industry at such a young age, I can only imagine how it must have felt to grow up with those impossible standards. She probably witnessed and experienced things behind closed doors that no child should have to go through. And then, of course, there was the tumultuous relationship with Justin Bieber, which added another layer of emotional difficulty to her already complicated life.
During that time, Selena turned to alcohol and other coping mechanisms, something she’s since worked hard to overcome. But it’s clear that even though she’s strong and resilient, the emotional scars—like PTSD—are still there, lingering under the surface. No one can go through what she’s experienced without it leaving some kind of mark.
Anxiety: A Constant Companion
Selena has been incredibly open about her struggles with anxiety, something I deeply admire. In a 2022 appearance at the World Mental Health Day summit, she shared a personal detail that struck me: she doesn’t sleep in her own bedroom anymore because the space reminds her of a dark time in her life. That hit home. Anxiety isn’t something you can just switch off, and sometimes, places and situations that were once safe can become triggers. I can relate to that feeling of dread she described—the constant “doom” that can weigh on you when your mind spirals. It’s a hard feeling to explain to people who don’t experience it, but it’s a suffocating sense of fear and hopelessness that feels all-consuming at times.
The Journey Toward Healing
I truly respect how candid Selena has been about her mental health journey. In her 2022 documentary My Mind & Me, she opened up about her depression and how, at one point, she didn’t even want to leave her bed. She admitted that she wasn’t doing the work to get better, and that realization led her to take control. It’s an ongoing battle, but it’s inspiring to hear her talk about the importance of doing the work to heal. I know that when you’re in the midst of depression or anxiety, it feels like nothing will ever change. You lay in bed, just hoping that things will magically get better, but nothing does unless you make the conscious decision to get up and do something about it.
And let me tell you, I get that. I’ve had those moments too, when I’ve laid there for hours, almost paralyzed by my own anxiety. But nothing changes unless we take that first step. Sometimes it’s one small moment of bravery, even if it’s just opening up to a therapist or a trusted friend. Selena’s willingness to share these personal experiences helps normalize the struggle, reminding us that we’re not alone.
Coping with Fame’s Intensity
Selena’s experience with fame is something most of us can’t fully comprehend. At one point, she was the most-followed person on Instagram, and I can’t even imagine the anxiety that would come with having such a massive platform. It’s not just about the pressure to look perfect in every post or the endless comments from strangers—it’s about living under the constant watchful eye of millions of people, all with opinions, expectations, and judgments.
She’s mentioned how overwhelming it can be when stepping out of a car to a crowd of fans and photographers, and how she has to remind herself that it’s a gift. Selena says that, even on her toughest days, seeing someone smile because of her can brighten her day. It’s a beautiful sentiment, and it’s clear that she tries to stay grounded despite the chaos. But at the same time, this constant attention must be draining. No matter how much money and fame you have, it doesn’t protect you from the mental health challenges that so many of us face.
Building a Support System
Over the years, Selena has built a small but strong support system around her—one that includes her close friends, family, and a therapist. And I think that’s key to her survival in such an intense environment. She’s learned to keep her circle small, and in a way, that’s probably helped her find peace. It’s not easy to live in a world that demands so much of you, so having people around who genuinely care about you—not because you’re famous, but because you’re a person—is essential.
Selena’s relationship with her mom, Mandy, has had its ups and downs, especially after Selena fired her as her manager. But despite their rough patches, Selena has learned to focus on the positive reminders her mom gave her: to ignore the noise and focus on what really matters. For someone with as much fame and success as Selena, it can be easy to lose sight of who you really are, so having those reminders is crucial. “I’m a good person, I’m kind, I work hard,” Selena has said, and those affirmations help keep her grounded.
The Continuous Struggle
Even though Selena seems to be in a better place today, it’s clear that mental health is an ongoing battle. She still struggles with anxiety, and her decision to not sleep in her own bedroom speaks volumes about how much trauma she’s had to overcome. But what I truly admire is how she continues to share her journey with us, despite the fact that her fame could easily make her private and guarded.
Mental health doesn’t just go away because you have a successful career, wealth, or fame. And Selena, as much as she seems to have it all, is still working on healing. It’s a reminder that everyone, no matter how successful they may seem on the outside, is fighting battles of their own.
Selena has shown incredible strength in confronting her anxiety and depression head-on. But as we’ve seen in her documentary and in her interviews, she’s not immune to the pressures of fame. The fact that she continues to speak openly about her struggles is something that not only helps normalize these issues but also reminds us that healing is a journey. It’s not always linear, and it’s okay to take it one step at a time.
And I think that’s the most powerful thing about Selena Gomez: She’s real. She’s human. She’s doing the work, and that’s something we should all take to heart.
