As she gracefully moves around her spacious kitchen, Selena Gomez keeps her makeup to a minimum. Sometimes she adds a touch of rouge lipstick to highlight her facial features. The kitchen has multiple cameras placed strategically at every angle to capture personal shots. Unlike traditional TV shows, there are no directors, camera operators, or makeup artists present. Selena’s cooking show, Selena + Chef, was launched in mid-2020 during the pandemic. In this show, the multi-talented actress, singer, producer, and entrepreneur chats with various chefs and learns (and teaches the audience) how to cook. She donates $10,000 to a charitable cause at the end of each episode, showcasing her true character.
To prevent the negative impacts of COVID-19-related separations, Gomez suggests that families keep in touch with their loved ones and friends who might feel lonely and isolated. This matter is especially close to her heart, as she started her career as a child actor on shows like Barney & Friends and Wizards of Waverly Place. Moreover, Gomez has dealt with medical conditions such as lupus, anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder over the years, giving her a distinct outlook.
The renowned 28-year-old star has consistently utilized her influential position and voice to highlight significant social issues, garnering a vast following of 195 million on Instagram. During the peak of the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020, she ceded control of her Instagram account to one of the movement’s founders with the objective of educating herself and her followers. Her commitment to activism has grown progressively, and she recognizes the importance of using her platform in a meaningful way. As a producer, she is dedicated to creating projects that bring attention to the risks and pressures faced by vulnerable young people. For instance, in 2017, she was an executive producer of 13 Reasons Why, a controversial Netflix drama for teenagers that tackled the topics of suicide and mental health. Two years later, she served as one of the executive producers of Living Undocumented, a documentary series on Netflix that followed eight undocumented immigrant families in the US. Being a Mexican-American woman, she believes it is her duty to be a voice for people who feel too scared to speak out.
The person in question is a strong advocate for mental health, having taken time off a few years ago to address her own health issues. She has since launched her own cosmetic company, Rare Beauty, which aims to promote positive conversations about self-acceptance and mental well-being. The company prioritizes inclusivity and has launched with 48 shades of foundation and concealer to ensure representation for all members of the Rare Beauty community. Despite the power of social media as an empowerment tool, she recognizes the importance of stepping away when necessary.
Gomez has set her sights on more than just personal success. She recently launched the Rare Impact Fund, which aims to combat the stigma surrounding mental health issues. The fund seeks to raise $100 million over the next decade to provide underserved communities with access to resources for mental well-being. To achieve this goal, an internal council comprising leaders and practitioners from various fields will guide the fund’s long-term strategy.
For Gomez, family is everything, and she takes pride in her Mexican heritage. Her aunt and grandparents crossed the border between Mexico and the US hiding in the back of a truck. This sense of history and connection is what drives her to fight hard and love even harder. When asked about her future role, she remains open, acknowledging that life’s evolution is unpredictable. However, she hopes to continue challenging herself and learning from her mistakes.