Selena Gomez posed in her raunchiest photoshoot ever as she reflected on her health struggles and turbulent 2019.
Speaking with Dazed magazine, for which she shot a stunning spread in an array of skimpy ensembles, the singer spoke candidly about her past battles.
The Wolves singer, 27, looked phenomenal in a selection of plunging bodysuits and flirty mini dresses that showcased her sensational figure.
Stunning: Speaking with Dazed magazine, for which she shot a stunning spread in an array of futuristic ensembles, the singer spoke candidly about her past battles
As part of her interview, the songstress was asked questions by a selection of stars and fans, with Anna Chai questioning Selena on whether she has any regrets.
Selena has spoken candidly about her health issues in the past, having been diagnosed with lupus in 2012 and undergoing a kidney transplant in 2017.
Reflecting on her recent battles, Selena mused: ‘No, no. I mean, there are certain things which I wish hadn’t happened to me. But without them I wouldn’t have been the voice I am for people who have gone through the same thing.’
Explaining that she uses her struggles to help inspire others, she continued: ‘It was all a bit confusing… When (2019 single) Lose You to Love Me came out, I stood back and had this moment, like, “Oh… this is a huge reason why I’ve pushed myself through this. This is why.”
Candid: Selena revealed she’s grateful for her past struggles as it has made her more courageous in an interview with Dazed magazine
Candid: The Wolves singer, 27, has spoken candidly about her health issues in the past, having been diagnosed with lupus in 2012 and undergoing a kidney transplant in 2017
‘I was able to release a song that hopefully helps to heal some people, or just lets them know they are not alone. I was actually letting it go personally and when that happened something inside of me just left.
‘And that’s why I am grateful for the chapters of my life. I’m not saying that it’s gonna be easy from now on, but I have a lot more strength and a lot more courage and a bigger voice to stand up for what I deserve.’
Selena has had her fair share of health problems in the past, in 2014, she stepped away from the spotlight to check in rehab for her Lupus diagnosis and chemotherapy treatments.
Questioned: As part of her interview, the songstress was asked questions by a selection of stars and fans, with Anna Chai questioning Selena on whether she has any regrets
All for a reason: Explaining that she uses her struggles to help inspire others, she continued, ‘It was all a bit confusing’ until she was able to use her music to help other sufferers
Then in 2016, she went back to rehab but this time in Tennessee for anxiety and depression.
‘As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus. I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges,’ she said in a statement at the time.
‘I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off.’
Sticking together: In the summer of 2017, Selena revealed that she had received a kidney transplant from her longtime friend Francia Raisa due to complications from her disease
Recovering: Selena’s kidney transplant was necessitated by her Lupus, an autoimmune disorder that causes the body’s natural immune defenses to attack healthy tissue
WHAT IS LUPUS?
Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is a chronic illness where the body’s immune system attacks its own antibodies even if they are healthy.
It is known as an ‘autoimmune’ disease because the immune system is attacking healthy tissue and organs instead of ones that are infected.
Some areas that are commonly at risk are the skin, joints, kidneys and brain.
The direct cause for lupus is unknown, but it can span from a combination of genetics and the environment.
About five million people worldwide have lupus and 90 percent of those people are women.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Lupus develops differently in each person.
Some might experience symptoms slowly such as tiredness or joint aches while others will have severe problems right away.
People also experience a ‘butterfly’ skin rash that forms around the cheeks and nose.
More severe symptoms include depression, lung disease, heart problems and kidney inflammation.
HOW DOES LUPUS IMPACT THE KIDNEYS
Lupus nephritis is a specific form of the chronic disease that attacks and inflames the kidneys
In the summer of 2017, Selena revealed that she had received a kidney transplant from her longtime friend Francia Raisa due to complications from her disease.
After returning to rehab again in 2018, she opted to step away from social media and head back for treatment.
She was sent to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after a low white blood cell count that caused her to be unwell.
Selena then journeyed to the east coast, where she sought out treatment for mental health and take a social media detox.
Good things come to those who wait: Due to her illnesses, Selena was halted from releasing new music, and it took four years between releasing Revival and her latest album, Rare
Panic: Asked by a fan account what was the ‘scariest’ part of releasing new music after such a long gap, Selena confessed: ‘That no one would like it and my career as a singer would be over’
Fear: Selena was left terrified by the reaction her album would get as she mused ‘I would have questioned everything because I doubt myself and that’s where I would have ended up’
Back on top: Thankfully Selena has had a positive reaction to her comeback album
Due to her illnesses, Selena was halted from releasing new music, and it took four years between releasing Revival and her latest album, Rare.
Asked by a fan account what was the ‘scariest’ part of releasing new music after such a long gap, Selena confessed: ‘That no one would like it and my career as a singer would be over. I genuinely thought that.
‘I worked so, so hard on this album. It could have come out and completely flopped, and then it’s like, well, where do you go from here?
‘I would have questioned everything because I doubt myself and that’s where I would have ended up – in a spiral. So I’m glad that it’s doing well. But I did everything I could to make it as personal and real (as possible).’
Reflective: Despite being a powerful online presence, Selena is well aware of the negative effects of social media and admitted she limits her time on the app
Selena’s breakout role came in 2007 when she landed the lead in Wizards of Waverly Place.
Having been a household name for more than a decade, the star was asked to reflect on her early career and reveal what she ‘loved’ and what made her ‘cringe’, in a question by Finneas.
‘I would say that (I love) my innocence,’ Selena mused. ‘For the second part – my style. My style of music and my style in general. It was just not a great combination.
Out now: Read the full interview in Dazed magazine
‘I’m proud of all the music I released, of course, but it was just such a different time that sometimes when I hear it, I’m like, “Oh no!”‘.
Most recently, Selena is as famous for her social media presence as she is for singing, and is currently the fourth most followed celebrity on Instagram.
Despite being a powerful online presence, Selena is well aware of the negative effects of social media, and hesitated when photographer Brianna Capozzi asked if she would ‘hit a button today and get rid of Instagram entirely’.
Selena mused: ‘I think I’d have a lot of people not liking me for saying yes. (laughs) If I could find a balanced, happy medium that would be great, but I would be lying if I said that it isn’t destroying some of my generation, their identity.
‘It’s a huge part of why I named my album Rare – because there’s so much pressure to look the same as everyone else.
‘It was scary going back on – the first four days I was like, “No, there’s no way I can do this.” What I do now is to only go on it when I feel like I need to, and then I’ll just log off, I won’t take time to explore or look at anything else.’
Candid: Selena said of Instagram, ‘I would be lying if I said that it isn’t destroying some of my generation, their identity’
