Selena Gomez, a singer and actress, has been actively pursuing different ventures such as a cooking show with a noble cause, a beauty product line that aims to eliminate negative perceptions about mental health, and an involvement in political activism. With her increasing boldness, it appears that she is just warming up.
As she gracefully moves around her spacious kitchen, Selena Gomez keeps her makeup simple, adding a touch of rouge lipstick to accentuate her facial features. To capture personal shots, numerous cameras have been strategically placed at every angle in her kitchen. Instead of having traditional TV show personnel like directors, camera operators, or makeup artists, Selena + Chef is a cooking show launched on HBO Max during the pandemic in mid-2020. In this show, the multi-talented actress, singer, producer, and entrepreneur converses with various chefs to learn how to cook and teaches the audience as well. At the end of each episode, she donates $10,000 to a charitable cause, showcasing her true character.
Gomez offers some advice to families who are currently separated from their loved ones due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. She suggests checking in on them regularly through calls to ensure they are doing well and to alleviate any feelings of loneliness or isolation they may be experiencing. For Gomez, this issue hits close to home as she started her career at a young age with roles in popular children’s shows like Barney & Friends and Wizards of Waverly Place. Additionally, she has had to deal with medical conditions such as lupus, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder which have given her valuable insights into the issues faced by those struggling with mental health.
The renowned 28-year-old celebrity has consistently used her powerful voice and extensive platform to address significant issues, amassing a whopping following of 195 million on Instagram. During the height of the Black Lives Matter movement in the US in 2020, she entrusted her Instagram account to one of the movement’s founders to not only educate her followers but also herself. Her activism has grown considerably over time, and she believes it is her duty to use her platform in a constructive manner. As a producer, she concentrates on projects that highlight the dangers and challenges that vulnerable young individuals face. For instance, in 2017, she served as an executive producer for 13 Reasons Why, a controversial Netflix show for teenagers dealing with suicide and mental health. Two years later, she contributed as one of the executive producers for Living Undocumented, a Netflix documentary series following eight undocumented immigrant families in the US. As a Mexican-American woman, she feels compelled to be a voice for those who are too scared to speak out.
The person in question has also taken up the mantle of mental health advocacy, and is now a vocal supporter of this cause. A few years ago, she had to take some time off due to personal health issues, which left her fans and the industry wondering where she had disappeared to. However, instead of getting defensive, she took a moment to reflect on her situation. Since then, she has launched her own makeup brand called Rare Beauty, which aims to promote self-acceptance and mental well-being through positive conversations. Her ultimate goal is to create an inclusive community that challenges conventional beauty standards and provides a safe space for people from different backgrounds, races, genders, and ages to talk about mental health. When it comes to product development, inclusivity is always at the forefront of the company’s mind. For instance, Rare Beauty launched with a whopping 48 shades of foundation and concealer to ensure that everyone feels represented. While she appreciates the power of social media, she also understands that it’s necessary to take breaks from it.
Gomez has recently launched the Rare Impact Fund, which aims to combat the stigma associated with mental health issues and promote mental well-being by raising $100 million over the next ten years. The initiative will focus on underserved communities and will be guided by an internal council comprising mental health experts, philanthropists, entertainers, media personnel, academics, and beauty professionals. Gomez is proud of her Mexican heritage and emphasizes the importance of family in her life. She aspires to remain curious about life and continue learning from her experiences, acknowledging that the future is unpredictable and shaped by circumstances.