Singer and actress Selena Gomez has fired back at body-shaming trolls following her appearance at the premiere of her latest film, Emilia Pérez, at the American French Film Festival in Los Angeles. Gomez, who wore a fitted, long-sleeved black cocktail dress on the red carpet, faced online criticism after social media users speculated she was using her hand to conceal her body in photos from the event.
The TikTok post sparking the backlash has since been deleted, but Gomez addressed the hurtful comments directly. The Only Murders in the Building star explained her stance in the comments section of another social media post, sharing a personal health update with her followers. “This makes me sick. I have SIBO in my small intestine. It flares up,” she wrote, referring to her condition, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), which can cause bloating, abdominal discomfort, and changes in weight.
Gomez, who has previously spoken openly about her health struggles—including her battle with Lupus, a kidney transplant, and now SIBO—has become a vocal advocate for body positivity and self-acceptance. In response to the criticism, she emphasized her commitment to embracing her natural body rather than conforming to unrealistic beauty standards. “I don’t care that I don’t look like a stick figure. I don’t have that body. End of story,” she stated, adding, “No, I am NOT a victim. I’m just human.”
The Rare Beauty founder has long shared her journey with fans, both in coping with chronic health issues and finding peace with her body. Gomez has also opened up about her experiences with infertility, revealing in an interview with Vanity Fair that her health complications have affected her ability to conceive. She expressed sadness over the loss of this option but shared her excitement for the possibilities of surrogacy or adoption.
Despite ongoing health challenges, Gomez finds comfort in her personal life. Her relationship with music producer Benny Blanco has provided a source of strength and happiness. “He’s been a great source of encouragement,” she said, describing their bond as a deep connection that has brought her joy and support during difficult times.
With a steadfast focus on her well-being and happiness, Gomez continues to advocate for acceptance, resilience, and self-love in the face of adversity.