Selena Gomez recently hosted the inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit: A Night of Radiance & Reflection in Los Angeles, as part of her ongoing commitment to mental health awareness. The event was organized to support the Rare Impact Fund’s mission of reducing the stigma associated with mental health and expanding access to mental health services and education for young people worldwide.
Gomez, who launched the fund in 2020, expressed her gratitude for being able to host the event, stating, “I’ve always wanted to do one but I thought we were too young to maybe do it… We’re stoked to be able to do this, it’s going to a great cause and I just couldn’t be luckier.” The benefit featured a special performance from H.E.R. and a DJ set by Marshmello, with Gomez’s “Only Murders in the Building” co-star Martin Short serving as the emcee for the evening.
During the event, Gomez took the stage and shared her personal journey with mental health. She admitted that the event was overwhelming for her, confessing, “To be honest, I threw up this morning.” She opened up about her struggles with her mental health, stating, “I struggled with the world inside my head for a long time… In 2020, I received my diagnosis of bipolar disorder, and to be honest, everything quickly changed.” Gomez expressed how receiving her diagnosis provided her with the knowledge and answers she had been desperately seeking for so long, allowing her to seek the support she needed to find her joy again. She emphasized the importance of raising awareness and resources for mental health, especially for those who do not have access to the same support.
The Rare Impact Fund aims to raise $100 million over the course of 10 years to provide these resources. Gomez acknowledged that this goal may sound absurd, but she believes it is possible. She shared her desire for a better future for her sister and her generation, emphasizing the need for a kinder and more connected world with increased support and access to mental health services.
Launching the Rare Impact Fund has been Gomez’s ultimate dream, and she expressed her pride in the team’s work and the impact they are making. She thanked the audience for their support, acknowledging that the journey has been the hardest she has ever been on but also the most rewarding.
During the event, Martin Short provided comedic relief with a non-stop monologue of jokes, playfully teasing Gomez and their missing co-star Steve Martin. However, Short also highlighted the importance of supporting youth mental health awareness, stating, “What makes tonight very important is we’re here to support youth mental health awareness. I don’t think there’s anyone in this room that hasn’t been touched by mental health and its issues and the pain it can bring a family.”
The evening’s auction, led by Short, included items such as a glam session with Gomez’s stylists, a movie night with Paul Rudd, lunch with Camila Cabello, and the biggest ticket item of the event—Taylor Swift concert tickets, which sold for $15,000. Guest appearances were made by Taylor Lautner, Tyga, Sofia Carson, and Gomez’s longtime friend Francia Raisa. Raisa spoke about the impact Gomez has had by being open about her own struggles, particularly within Latinx households where there is often a stigma surrounding mental health. Raisa expressed her support for Gomez’s advocacy and emphasized the importance of generating conversations about mental health within the community.
In conclusion, Selena Gomez’s inaugural Rare Impact Fund Benefit was a night dedicated to raising awareness and resources for mental health. Through her personal journey and the celebration of her achievements, Gomez highlighted the importance of reducing the stigma and providing access to mental health services and education for all. The event brought together celebrities, supporters, and advocates, all working towards a common goal of improving the mental well-being of young people worldwide.