Selena Gomez has said that she no longer fears being identified due to her previous medical diagnoses of bipolar disorder and lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease.
While participating on Hoda Kotb’s podcast Making Space with Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy to discuss their effort to destigmatize mental illness, the 31-year-old pop diva spoke about having ‘liberation’ in sharing her story.
When asked how she identifies herself, the Rare Beauty entrepreneur said she considers herself a ‘kind’ and ‘caring’ person who ‘genuinely wants to do something to help someone.’
‘I think life may be distracting, and there is a lot of noise,’ she said Kotb. ‘Titles no longer terrify me since I’ve claimed my own story. I shared my own tale. And I felt liberated from it.
The interview seems to have taken place on the same day Selena Gomez attended her third annual Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit, as she was dressed in the same outfit.
During a special event for her Rare Impact fund, the Lose You to Love Me singer disclosed that her company has raised $7 million for mental health initiatives.
Gomez described the summit as ‘inspired by the future generation’ and ‘full with so much hope.’
‘Mental health is very important to me, and I’m honored that we can share this purpose with the rest of the globe,’ she told followers. “Thank you to everyone who has joined us and continues to use their voice for good!”
U.S. Surgeon General Vice Admiral Vivek Murthy also spoke at the gathering about ‘the power of social connection and how communities, like the one Selena has formed.’
In October, the Only Murders in the Building star discussed being diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2020.
‘I struggled with the world inside my head for a long time, and I felt lost and hopeless at times,’ Gomez explained during her inaugural annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit. ‘In 2020, I was diagnosed with bipolar illness.’
She went on to say, “To be honest, everything changed very quickly.” I finally obtained the knowledge and answers I had been looking for for so long. And realizing that makes me more conscious of it, and I’m less terrified than I was before.
In her Apple TV+ documentary My Mind & Me, the Disney Channel alum stated that she didn’t know how she would ‘cope’ with the diagnosis.
To avoid feeling overwhelmed, Gomez says she ‘needed to keep studying’ about her diagnosis and ‘to take it day by day.’
Gomez initially stated she has bipolar disorder in 2020, when appearing on Miley Cyrus’ Instagram Live series Bright Minded.
During her conversation with Cyrus, 31, she described feeling ‘equal parts afraid and relieved’ as the’veil was lifted.’
‘I now understood why I had suffered from numerous depressions and anxiety for so many years,’ she explained. ‘I never had complete understanding or answers about my issue.’
Gomez went on to say that having’more information’ helps her since ‘it doesn’t scare’ her once she understands what’s going on.