Selena Gomez, clad in a black Brandon Maxwell corset maxi dress, took the stage at the TIME100 Summit in New York City, where she discussed a range of topics from beauty standards to her social media use and mental health journey.
Reflecting on her hiatus from Instagram, Gomez highlighted the benefits of taking a break from the platform for four years, during which her team managed her account. She found the break rewarding, emphasizing the importance of being present and connecting with people in real life rather than being consumed by social media.
Returning to Instagram herself, Gomez admitted to feeling frustrated at times and being inclined to defend her loved ones online, which has garnered media attention. However, she stressed the importance of taking breaks from social media and not letting it consume her attention.
Gomez also opened up about her bipolar depression diagnosis, describing it as liberating to finally understand and acknowledge her emotions. She emphasized the significance of proper medication and self-care, proudly wearing her diagnosis as a badge without any shame.
Addressing her venture into the cosmetics industry with Rare Beauty, Gomez expressed her desire to challenge unrealistic beauty standards. Despite admitting that she is “terrible” at doing her own makeup, she aimed to create products that promote self-expression and confidence without the pressure to conform to a certain standard of beauty.
Through Rare Beauty, Gomez hopes to offer makeup that is enjoyable and uplifting, with product names reflecting themes of joy and self-discovery. She advocates for embracing one’s natural beauty and rejects the notion of needing to conform to societal standards, drawing from her own experiences of feeling drained by the pursuit of an unattainable ideal.
