Singer Selena Gomez is Billboard’s Woman of the Year
Selena Gomez has been named Billboard magazine’s Woman of the Year, and with that came several revelations about her physical and emotional mindset after her kidney transplant this summer.
At the recent Women in Music awards ceremony, the 25-year-old singer delivered an emotional acceptance speech and dedicated her award to her friend Francia Raisa, who donated a kidney to save her life.
“Honestly, I couldn’t be more grateful for the position that I’ve been given in my career,” the tearful actor-singer said. “I want people to know that I respect the platform that I have so greatly.
“I’ve never felt this proud to be a woman in the industry than I do today, and that’s because I actually feel comfortable with every single woman that has encouraged me,” she continued.
“I’m so grateful for all the older women who have lifted all of us up, because I couldn’t be here without any of you.”
Gomez did an accompanying interview for the Dec. 9 issue of Billboard.
“I don’t know how to explain the place that I’m in other than to say I just feel full,” she added.
She cherishes on/off beau Justin Bieber and is best friends with her ex, the Weeknd.
Gomez, who was spotted again with the Biebs on the heels of her breakup with the Starboy crooner, explained their reunion: “I cherish people who have really impacted my life. So maybe before, it could have been forcing something that wasn’t right.” And she’s proud of her transplant scar. The Bad Liar singer said that she’s altered and edited herself her whole life for the sake of others. She is now trying to accept who she is, and that’s taken her about five years, a few stints in rehab and a lot of therapy.
She recalled years of struggling with anxiety and depression stemming from her long-term lupus battle.
“That time for me was so painful and really hard and very lonely. But I really, really felt that that’s what helped me feel satisfied with where I am.
“When I look at my body now, I just see life.”