“If you are broken, you do not have to stay broken.”
by Molly Thomson
Last night at the AMAs marked the first time Selena Gomez has made a public appearance since she announced she was taking a break from her career to focus on her mental health.
She won the award for Favorite Female Artist- Pop/Rock, and went onstage to collect it in a stunning red gown looking more akin to a Disney princess than anyone should have the right to look. Still, it’s her speech that moved us:
“In 2014 this stage was actually the first time that I was authentically, 100 percent honest with all of you,” she began. “I think it’s safe to say that all of you know my life whether I like it or not. I had to stop because I had everything and I was absolutely broken inside. I kept it all together enough to where I would never let you down but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down.”
As if that wasn’t raw and powerful enough, she then turned her focus to social media, saying: “I don’t want to see your bodies on Instagram. I want to see what’s in here [holds chest]. I’m not trying to get validation nor do I need it anymore.”
The singer then began to tear up, adding: “All I can say from the bottom of my heart is I am so grateful I have the opportunity to be able to share what I love every single day with people that I love…thank you so much to my fans because you guys are so damn loyal and I don’t know what I did to deserve you. If you are broken you do not have to stay broken. If that’s anything whether you respect me or not that’s one thing you should know about me. I care about people…This is for you.”
This speech was not only one of the bravest and most eloquent we have ever heard on that stage, but it was also so inspiring for so many fans watching. Selena admitted to having been “broken,” despite having everything. She also, despite being the most-followed person on Instagram, admitted the harm that social media has caused her. While Selena Gomez looks on Instagram to be the happiest, strongest, most beautiful singer in the world, that isn’t reality. Not at all.
It’s okay to be broken. It’s okay to take time off to focus on your mental health. It’s okay to feel sad and to struggle with depression and anxiety and to not feel the way you think you ought to feel. It’s okay to reach out to others. It’s okay to seek help. We thank Selena for reaffirming that.
