“I’m perfect the way I am.”
Selena Gomez
Selena Gomez has taken the TikTok world by storm through her candid approach to self-acceptance and body confidence.
One thing is for certain though, Selena didn’t always feel this way.
The now thirty year old spent years trying to become the person others expected her to be, and only now is she able to freely express herself.
Having dealt with her fair share of internet trolls, Gomez stayed offline for years up until now, having an assistant post content on her behalf.
“It has changed my life completely. I am happier, I am more present, I connect more with people. It makes me feel normal,” she said during an interview on Good Morning America.
In April, she addressed the negative comments about her weight via a TikTok, something which was applauded by many.
By September, she was having to remind people to be kind again after the release of Hailey Bieber’s viral interview. Although Bieber herself had referred to her own experiences with online trolls, the backlash of the interview led to a heightened amount of online hate directed at Gomez.
So, where do we draw the line with celebrities?
Should they really have to accept derogatory comments just because they’re in the public eye?
I don’t think so.
From the recent release of her documentary, Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me, to her authentic approach to TikTok, it’s clear that Gomez is striving to be a role model for her fans both online and offline.
She’s rising above the hate and encouraging others to do the same, something which all of us at Social Allies think is highly commendable.
In 2023, we hope to discuss the impact of online trolling more, giving young people the support and advice they need to help tackle online bullying and trolling.
