Selena Gomez says vulnerability is scary—but worth it to change the mental health conversation.
Selena Gomez has spoken candidly about the fear and courage it took to speak out on her mental health journey, admitting she initially doubted whether she should say anything at all.
In a heartfelt new interview with Billboard Español, the 32-year-old star recalled her early uncertainty following her 2020 diagnosis with bipolar disorder—a moment that would eventually become a pivotal turning point in both her personal life and her public advocacy.
“It was scary to be that vulnerable,” Gomez admitted. “I didn’t ever want anyone to think I am a victim.” But despite the fear, she chose to speak out—not to seek sympathy, but to offer solidarity.
Embed from Getty Images“I thought [that] by sharing my own story I could help others,” she explained. “And I will take any negative opinions that come with that because I see the bigger picture of how the conversations have changed around mental health.”
Gomez, whose openness has sparked global conversations on mental well-being, will be honoured as Woman of the Year at the 2025 Billboard Latin Women in Music event on 1 May. In the lead-up to the ceremony, she reflected on what it means to advocate for mental health in a world still hesitant to accept its complexities.
“It’s not for the faint of heart,” she said. “You are putting yourself out there and trust me—there will be a lot of opinions that come at you for even having the nerve to say anything at all.”
That honesty has been at the core of Gomez’s mental health mission. From launching Rare Beauty’s Mental Health Summit to hosting her first annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit in 2023, she’s made it clear that advocacy is more than a headline—it’s a long-term commitment.
The Only Murders in the Building star’s efforts go beyond fundraising. Her 2022 documentary Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me offered an unfiltered glimpse into her emotional highs and lows, touching on anxiety, depression, and the pressures of fame. The film became a beacon for many struggling in silence, praised for its rawness and refusal to sugarcoat pain.
Last May, Gomez hosted the third annual Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit, bringing together young voices and experts to tackle the stigma that still clings to mental illness. “It’s about creating spaces where people feel seen and safe,” she shared at the time.
She’s also used her platform to boost the work of grassroots mental health organisations, particularly those serving young people—a group she believes needs more support than ever.
In October 2023, her inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit raised vital funds for youth-focused mental health initiatives, underscoring her belief in prevention, education, and open dialogue.
“I don’t want to be the face of mental health,” she said previously, “but I do want to be someone who helps move the conversation forward.”
As she prepares to receive one of Latin music’s highest honours, Gomez is using the moment not just to celebrate, but to spotlight the work that remains. Her voice—once hesitant—is now one of the most powerful in a growing movement for change.
