Selena Gomez walked the red carpet, and the internet exploded. Again. It feels like a ritual at this point. Every time she steps out, the comments start rolling in, dissecting every inch of her body with a surgical, often cruel, precision.
But here’s the thing. Most people are shouting into a void without actually knowing the medical reality behind the photos. They see a change in a silhouette and assume they know the "why." They don't.
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The Lupus Reality Check
Selena was diagnosed with lupus back in 2015. It’s an autoimmune disease. Basically, her body’s defense system got confused and started attacking her own healthy tissues. This isn't just a "celebrity health update" to post about; it's a condition that led to her undergoing chemotherapy and eventually a life-saving kidney transplant in 2017.
When we talk about Selena Gomez weight gain, we aren't talking about "letting go" or a lack of discipline. We are talking about biology.
Lupus treatment often involves corticosteroids like prednisone. If you’ve ever been on them, you know the drill. They save your life, but they come with a heavy price tag. One of the most common side effects? Significant water retention and a redistribution of fat.
In a candid TikTok live, Selena explained it simply: "I tend to hold a lot of water weight, and that happens very normally. When I’m off [the medication], I tend to lose weight."
It fluctuates. It depends on the month. Sometimes, it depends on the day.
More Than Just Water Weight
The conversation around her body took another turn recently when she addressed SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). It’s a condition where an abnormal increase in bacteria in the small intestine causes intense bloating.
Imagine dealing with a flare-up that makes you feel physically sick, only to look at your phone and see thousands of people calling you "unrecognizable."
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"I don’t care that I don’t look like a stick figure," she told followers in late 2024. "I don’t have that body. End of story."
Honestly, it's exhausting to watch. She has been incredibly open about her struggles with bipolar disorder and the mental toll that constant scrutiny takes. She’s admitted to feeling "a tad bitter" about the double standards. Men in Hollywood gain or lose weight for roles or due to health, and they’re often met with concern or "dad bod" memes. For Selena, it’s a character judgment.
Why the Public is So Obsessed
We’ve grown up with her. From Wizards of Waverly Place to Only Murders in the Building, she’s been in our living rooms for decades. There’s this weird sense of ownership people feel over celebrities they’ve "raised."
But she isn’t a Disney character anymore. She’s a woman in her 30s managing a chronic, incurable illness.
The medical experts at institutions like the Mayo Clinic and the Lupus Foundation of America highlight that "moon face" (swelling of the face) and weight gain in the abdomen are textbook side effects of the very drugs that keep lupus patients' kidneys from failing.
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She’s choosing her life over a sample size.
Moving the Needle with Rare Beauty
What’s interesting is how she’s flipped the script. Instead of just hiding, she launched Rare Beauty. It’s not just a makeup brand; it’s a machine designed to dismantle these exact beauty standards.
The Rare Impact Fund aims to raise $100 million for mental health services. As of 2026, they’ve already funneled millions into youth programs. She’s using the platform that mocks her body to fund the therapy that helps people survive that exact kind of bullying.
Actionable Takeaways for the Rest of Us
So, what do we actually do with this information? It’s not just about defending a pop star. It’s about how we treat the people in our own lives who might be going through a health battle we can't see.
- Educate yourself on "invisible" illnesses. Lupus, SIBO, and thyroid issues don't always look like "being sick." Sometimes they look like weight fluctuation.
- Stop the "compliment" trap. Telling someone they "look so thin" or "lost weight" can be a nightmare if that weight loss is due to illness or grief.
- Prioritize health over aesthetics. Selena’s mantra is worth stealing: "I would rather be healthy and take care of myself."
- Support brands with a mission. If you’re buying beauty products anyway, look for those that actually put their money where their mouth is regarding mental health.
Ultimately, the obsession with Selena's weight says more about our culture's discomfort with aging and illness than it does about her. She’s still here. She’s still working. And frankly, she’s lucky to be alive. That's the only headline that should matter.
To better understand how medication affects the body, you can look into the long-term effects of corticosteroids or explore the resources provided by the Lupus Foundation of America.