As Selena Gomez discussed her struggle with anxiety and depression on stage at the American Music Awards on Sunday, she started to cry.
The 24-year-old actress, who won the prize for best female pop/rock artist, spoke movingly about the health problems that led her to seek medical attention and take a break from the entertainment industry earlier this year.
“This stage was actually the first time that I was authentically 100% honest with all of you in 2014,” Selena boldly declared to the enthusiastic audience at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
“Whether I liked it or not, I think it’s safe to say that most of you know a good deal about my life.” She said, “I had to stop; I had everything, and I was completely broken inside.” Her voice trembled with emotion.
The singer’s moving and impactful remarks were made three months after it was disclosed that she would be postponing her world tour in order to concentrate on her physical and mental well-being because of her battles with “anxiety, panic attacks, and depression.”
Selena claimed that her problems stemmed from her battle with lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that also forced her to check herself into The Meadows in Arizona for rehab back in 2014.
She decided to go to a women-only facility outside of Nashville this time, where she finished her program earlier this month, for treatment.
The singer of the song “Same Old Love” acknowledged that trying too hard to please everyone had contributed to some of her issues.
“I maintained enough composure to ensure that I would never disappoint you, but I overcommitted to the point where I let myself down.”
The singer then gave some thought to the culture of social media and declared that she was done looking for that kind of approval.
The actress gestured to her heart and remarked, “I wanna see what’s in here, not your bodies on Instagram.”
“I no longer need or seek validation,” the speaker said. All I can say is that I’m incredibly thankful to be able to share what I love with the people I love every single day, from the bottom of my heart.You guys are really devoted, and I’m not sure what I did to earn your loyalty.
She said, “If you’re broken, you don’t have to stay broken,” as she wrapped up her remarks.
And if it’s anything, you should know that I care about people, regardless of whether you respect me or not.
The camera panned to Lady Gaga, who was standing in the crowd and looked incredibly proud of her friend, as the crowd applauded for the celebrity.
Selena made a triumphant comeback to the public eye on Sunday after taking a three-month break from her career to prioritize her health.
The singer, dressed in a red Prada gown, looked stunning as she arrived at the event.
Given that her ex-boyfriend Justin Bieber would be performing via satellite at the event, she was probably relieved that she wouldn’t have to worry about running into him.
The 22-year-old Bieber is presently traveling the world in support of his Purpose tour, which stops in Zurich, Switzerland on Sunday.
