In 2017, Selena Gomez faced backlash for starring in Woody Allen’s film. At the time, critics slammed her for collaborating with Allen, who has faced longstanding allegations of sexual abuse, despite Gomez’s role as an executive producer on, a show addressing sexual assault. Fans took to social media, calling her actions hypocritical.
Despite calls to donate her salary from the project to abuse survivors, Gomez refrained from addressing the controversy publicly.
Gomez also sparked criticism in 2023 for announcing a social media break amid escalating violence in Gaza. In her statement, she expressed heartbreak over the violence but chose not to align with any specific cause. “A post won’t change the world,” she wrote, adding that she wished she could do more for innocent lives.
Most recently, Selena’s portrayal of Jessi Del Monte in the Netflix musicalhas reignited debates over poor representation of Mexican culture. Critics have called the film, which centers on a Mexican drug lord undergoing gender-affirming surgery, “regressive” and harmful.
The movie faced backlash for perpetuating stereotypes about Mexican culture and the drug trade, while GLAAD condemned its representation of trans identity as “exploitative.”
While Gomez’s recent advocacy for immigrant rights has garnered praise, some view her actions as inconsistent. Critics argue her past decisions, from working with controversial figures to staying silent on pressing global issues, undermine her credibility.
