Selena Gomez says public scrutiny led her to quit social media: ‘I felt like an object’

Selena Gomez has opened up about her decision to step back from social media in a new interview (Picture: Inez & Vinoodh)

Selena Gomez has explained one of the reasons why she decided to get rid of social media temptation from her life in 2017.

Speaking candidly to Elle magazine about the impact of the public scrutiny she faced after years of battling health issues and public heartache, the Lose You TO Love Me singer stated: ‘For a while, I felt like an object. It felt gross for a long time.

‘I don’t even know what they really believed I was doing – drugs, alcohol, running around, partying. The narrative was so nasty.’

The former Disney star also found herself becoming too reliant on social media during this time, leading her to pass over all passwords and power to her assistant.

‘I don’t have it on my phone, so there’s no temptation,’ she told the publication. ‘I suddenly had to learn how to be with myself. That was annoying, because, in the past, I could spend hours looking at other people’s lives.’

The 29-year-old continued: ‘I would find myself down nearly two years in someone’s feed, and then I’d realize, ‘I don’t even know this person!’

‘Now I get information the proper way. When my friends have something to talk about, they call me and say, “Oh, I did this.” They don’t say, “Wait, did you see my post?”‘

The Rare Beauty founder added: ‘It was so nice. I felt like I was suddenly able to be so present… This tiny little phone that had 150 million people on it – I just put it down.’

The singer revealed how she prefers to spend her time working to help others (Picture: Inez & Vinoodh)

Posing for a stunning shoot in the publication’s September 2021 issue, which is also Elle’s first-ever Latinx print, Selena opened up about her renewed focus on using her fame and platform to help others.

She explained: ‘I’m like, “I’ve got to do something [more]. After I’m gone, I want people to remember me for my heart.”

The full interview is available in Elle’s September 2021 Latinx issue (Picture: Inez & Vinoodh)

‘Everything that I’m attached to has a charity aspect. If something good isn’t coming out of it, I’m not going to do it. I don’t need money, I need people who want to fight with me.’

Elsewhere in the interview, the Come and Get It singer also stated she will never quit music, despite some of her previous comments on the matter.

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‘I don’t think I’ll ever quit making music…I’m not saying I want a Grammy. I just feel like I’m doing the best I can, and it’s all about me. Sometimes, that can really get to me. You’re pouring yourself out,’ she explained.

The September issue of Elle Magazine is available now.

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