Selena Gomez, the most followed woman on Instagram with a staggering 429 million followers, recently spoke at the Universal Music Group and Thrive Global’s Music & Health Conference about her approach to social media success. Despite her massive following, Gomez revealed that she has never been much concerned with numbers, stating, “I’ve never really cared about that stuff. I suppose I’m grateful for the platform, and I would love to continue to use it for what I’m able to do, but numbers are just numbers.”
Instead, Gomez is well aware of the responsibility that comes with such a far-reaching platform. She has received numerous messages from fans about how her work has helped them through extremely difficult times. The weight of this responsibility is something she acknowledges, saying, “I think I can be a little reckless with my emotions and having conversations with young people, women who are going through divorces or going through chemo—it’s not just about me, and I’m fully aware of that. I will just always cherish it. It’s a big responsibility, though. It’s a little scary.”
During the conference, Gomez also discussed her mental health journey and what’s next for her career. Despite being involved in music, starring in an acclaimed comedy series, and owning her own cosmetics brand Rare Beauty, Gomez revealed that writing a book isn’t on her agenda at the moment. However, she didn’t completely dismiss the idea, saying, “But does it mean that one day I wouldn’t be interested? I have fun things I would like to say but not right now.”
Last year, Gomez was the subject of the Apple TV+ documentary “My Mind and Me,” which chronicled her six-year battle with autoimmune disease, mental illness, and the pressures of fame. Initially, Gomez was against the idea of the documentary, fearing that it would jeopardize her personal and professional life. However, upon its release, she felt relieved and proud of the project, stating, “I felt like I got to say things that I’ve been keeping in for years. It’s very hard for me to watch. I will never watch it again, but I’m very proud of it.”
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The conversation at the conference also touched on the topic of AI and its impact on the music industry. Gomez expressed her concerns about relying too heavily on technology to convey emotions and stories, saying, “I don’t think anybody in my field wants to feel like they need to lean on a computer in order to translate their story or what they’re trying to say… there’s no other human like who you are. And that’s all it should be.”
Currently, Gomez is gearing up for the release of her third studio album, “SG3,” and she is expected to announce the release date soon. Additionally, her nonprofit organization, Rare Impact Fund, will be hosting its first-ever benefit gala next month. The gala aims to raise funds in support of mental health resources and to fight against stigma in the space.
Throughout the conference, Gomez showcased her humility, gratitude, and awareness of the impact she has on her followers. Despite her immense success, she remains focused on using her platform responsibly and connecting with her fans on a deeper level. With her continued dedication to mental health advocacy and her various creative pursuits, it is clear that Selena Gomez is much more than just a social media influencer.
