Selena Gomez Responds To Bikini Body Shaming
Selena Gomez has responded to the nasty body shaming headlines and comments that emerged yesterday, after she was photographed wearing a bikini on board a yacht in Sydney.
The Fetish singer, who underwent a kidney transplant over six months ago as part of her ongoing treatment for the autoimmune disease Lupus, was seen enjoying a day out in Sydney with her friends ahead of a Hillsong's Church In Colour Conference in Australia this week.
Selena's transplant scar and obtrusion were, naturally, on display as she wore a bikini. For some reason, there were media outlets and others on the internet who felt it necessary to body shame the singer for both of these things, rather than celebrating that she is healthy and happy.
The 25-year-old star hit back at the negativity by sharing a video montage from her enjoyable day out on Instagram, writing in the caption: "The beauty myth - an obsession with physical perfection that traps modern woman in an endless cycle of hopelessness, self consciousness, and self-hatred as she tries to fulfill society’s impossible definition of flawless beauty. I chose to take care of myself because I want to, not to prove anything to anyone. Wind in her sails."
Selena has been open about the "changes" to her body since her transplant, telling TODAY in 2017: "I have a bit of an obtrusion that will be there forever. And that means I’m going to have to dress differently. It was really, really massive at first. I ended up having to get it drained [initially to reduce the size]."
Selena also spoke about her scar in an interview with Billboard, telling the publication: "I do feel comfortable with my scars. I didn't, but I do now. It was really hard in the beginning. I remember looking at myself in the mirror completely naked and thinking about all the things that I used to bitch about and just asking, 'Why?'"
She continued, "I had someone in my life for a very long time who pointed out all the things that I didn't feel great about with myself. When I look at my body now, I just see life. There are a million things I can do—lasers and creams and all that stuff—but I’m okay with it. And by the way, there’s nothing wrong with [plastic surgery]. Cardi B has been my inspiration lately. She’s killing it, and she is proud of everything she has done. So there is absolutely zero judgment on my end. I just think for me, it could be my eyes, my round face, my ears, my legs, my scar. I don’t have perfect abs, but I feel like I’m wonderfully made."
It's wonderful that the singer has been so vocal about her procedure and recovery, as she's bringing light to an important issue. But just to be clear, regardless of the health circumstances that have led to Selena's altered body shape, no woman should ever have to "explain" her changing appearance or be judged for her weight or perceived "imperfections." It's 2018, let's leave the judging other people's bodies at the door.
