You know that feeling when a song just hits exactly where it’s supposed to? Like it was written specifically for your bad day? For a whole generation of fans, that song is "Who Says." It’s basically the ultimate self-love anthem. But here’s the thing—the story behind those who says selena gomez lyrics is way more intense than just a "pop star sings a nice song" moment.
It almost didn't happen. Honestly.
Back in 2011, Selena was deep in the Disney machine. She was 16 or 17, filming Wizards of Waverly Place, and trying to navigate the absolute mess that was early social media. People were mean. Like, really mean. We’re talking about the peak of "hater" culture on Twitter and Facebook.
The Battle for the Track
Most people think stars just get handed a pile of songs and pick their favorites. Sometimes that's true. But with "Who Says," it was a fight. During a 2023 appearance at Twilio’s SIGNAL conference, Selena admitted that her label was actually planning to give the song to a different artist. She didn't name names, but she was devastated.
"I cried," she told the crowd. She was with her mom, Brianne, and she just knew the song belonged to her fans. She felt they needed it.
💡 You might also like: Lisa Ann on Twitter: Why the Fantasy Sports Guru Still Owns the Timeline
She wasn't just singing lyrics; she was pleading for the right to deliver a message she was living through. At the time, she was dealing with massive public scrutiny over her personal life and her appearance. The line "I'm no beauty queen, I'm just beautiful me" wasn't just a catchy hook. It was a shield.
Who Actually Wrote the Words?
While Selena is the voice and the spirit of the track, she didn't actually pen the verses herself. This is where a lot of fans get confused. The who says selena gomez lyrics were written by Emanuel Kiriakou and Priscilla Renea.
If the name Priscilla Renea doesn't ring a bell, maybe her current stage name does: Muni Long.
Yeah, the R&B powerhouse behind hits like "Hrs and Hrs" is the genius who crafted the "Who Says" melody and lyrics. It’s wild to think about now, right? You’ve got this future R&B icon writing one of the most iconic teen pop anthems of the 2010s. Emanuel Kiriakou handled the production, giving it that acoustic, organic vibe that stood out so much against the heavy auto-tune of that era.
Why the Lyrics Still Matter in 2026
It’s been well over a decade since the song dropped, but it hasn't aged a day. If anything, it’s more relevant now. We live in a world of filters and AI-generated "perfection."
The song asks a simple question: "Who says you're not perfect?"
It challenges the invisible judges we all have in our heads. Selena has talked about how she still needs to hear these words. Even as a global superstar, a business mogul with Rare Beauty, and a critically acclaimed actress, she still feels the sting of criticism.
The lyrics tackle specific insecurities:
- "Who says you're not star potential?" — Addressing the doubt others place on your career.
- "Who says you're not presidential?" — A nod to the idea that young women can hold positions of power.
- "The price of beauty" — The idea that being in the public eye comes with a cost that isn't always fair.
A Departure in Sound
Before "Who Says," Selena Gomez & The Scene were mostly known for dance-pop. Think "Round & Round" or "Naturally." Those tracks were great for the club (or the middle school dance), but they didn't have much soul.
"Who Says" changed that.
It used real strings. It had a "jangly" pop feel. It felt human. It was the first time we really heard Selena's "winning vocals" without a ton of digital masking. Critics at the time, like Bill Lamb, pointed out that while it might have been a bit "tepid" for some, it exuded a kind of bubblegum confidence that was impossible to ignore.
📖 Related: Monica Bellucci: Why Tim Burton's Partner is the Muse He Needed All Along
The Viral Legacy
You’ve probably seen the clips on TikTok or Instagram. Selena performing the song live, often getting choked up. There’s a specific video from 2025 where she discusses her album with Benny Blanco and reflects on how she was only 16 when she first heard the track.
She said that hearing thousands of people chant those words back at her is "the coolest feeling." It’s not a performance anymore. It’s a collective therapy session.
The song basically predicted the "Self-Care" movement.
It paved the way for her later work, like Rare. If you listen closely, Rare is basically "Who Says" grown up. It deals with the same themes—self-worth, ignoring the noise, and realizing you are enough—just with a more mature, sophisticated sound.
🔗 Read more: Pitbull the Singer With Hair: What Most People Get Wrong
How to Apply the "Who Says" Energy Today
If you find yourself spiraling because of a comment or a feeling of "not being enough," take a page out of the Selena playbook.
- Audit Your Feed: Selena famously takes breaks from social media because of the "negativity." If your "Who Says" is a random person in your comments, hit the mute button.
- Voice Your Worth: There is power in saying things out loud. Chanting "I wouldn't wanna be anybody else" sounds cheesy until you actually do it during a rough morning.
- Find Your "Scene": Surround yourself with people who don't demand you be a "beauty queen." Real beauty, as the song suggests, is about the "diamond in the rough" qualities.
- Listen to the Writers: Check out Muni Long’s other work. Understanding the craft behind the lyrics can give you a deeper appreciation for how pop music is actually made.
The next time you hear those opening acoustic chords, remember that it wasn't just a "Disney song." It was a hard-fought battle for a message that a 16-year-old girl knew the world needed to hear. And honestly? We still need to hear it.