Selena Gomez found herself at the center of a social media storm after a generous gesture towards a homeless man—one that has sparked a heated debate among fans and critics alike.
Selena Gomez may have had her heart in the right place but not everyone was ready to applaud. After leaving a luxurious dinner at Nobu Fifty-Seven in New York City, the 32-year-old star found herself caught in an unexpected wave of online criticism following a simple gesture of kindness.
A fan comment dated October 16, 2024 | Source: TikTok/@tmz
As reported by TMZ, the “Lose You to Love Me” singer paused her exit to interact with fans, taking pictures and signing autographs. But it was when a homeless man approached her asking for help that’s when things got interesting.
Showing her usual grace, Gomez asked her bodyguard if he had any cash. Moments later, she handed the man a $20 bill, telling him, to “Have a good meal.” However, not everyone on social media was impressed. As Gomez hopped into her blacked-out SUV and drove into the night, netizens lit up the comments section with opinions.
One user wrote, “With the amount of money she makes, that’s like given [sic] the homeless man a dime.” Another chimed in, “She couldn’t spare more than 20 dollars?? She’s a millionaire.”
One even wondered, “20 dollars that’s it [sic]?” Things got a bit more intense when someone demanded, “She could have bought him a house.” Another wrote, “Spare change from a billionaire.”
Selena Gomez attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 10, 2023, in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images
Amid the criticism, Gomez’s devoted fans were quick to clap back. One person defended her by pointing out, “Y’all saying she should have given him more. How much cash do you carry on you? With her status, I wouldn’t have any cash on me at all.”
Another praised the star’s genuine nature, writing, “Selena Gomez is so kind to people.” And the love didn’t stop there, with another user declaring, “So humble and sweet, we made the right person a billionaire.”
A fan comment dated October 16, 2024 | Source: TikTok/@tmz
Gomez’s fans continued to pour in their support. One admirer highlighted, “I liked[sic] this thing about Selena, by helping the poor she has made more space in people’s hearts.”
And this isn’t Gomez’s first time showing generosity toward the homeless. Back in 2013, the singer was spotted in L.A. pulling over in her black BMW SUV to hand money to a man on the sidewalk, whose sign read, “First let me say good morning, help please thank you… homeless.”
Selena Gomez attends the premiere of Walt Disney’s “Pirates Of The Caribbean: At World’s End” held at Disneyland on May 19, 2007. | Source: Getty Images
Gomez, who rose to fame as a kid on the Disney Channel, has since evolved into a multi-talented mogul. From launching a successful music career to creating her own beauty brand. She has amassed a fortune that places her among the country’s youngest female self-made billionaires.
Selena Gomez celebrates the launch of Rare Beauty’s Soft Pinch Tinted Lip Oil Collection on March 29, 2023, in New York City. | Source: Getty Images
According to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which recently ranked her for the first time, she’s worth an impressive $1.3 billion. The singer’s wealth comes from a diverse range of ventures. However, most of her fortune is tied to Rare Beauty Brands Inc., the makeup line she founded five years ago that has skyrocketed in popularity.
On top of that, Gomez’s brand partnerships, acting deals, and mental health startup have all contributed to her financial success.
Despite her financial success, Selena Gomez has faced personal health challenges. In September, she made a surprising revelation, disclosing that health complications prevent her from carrying her own children, posing risks to both her life and that of a baby.
The singer spoke openly in an interview about facing this reality and the painful journey she has taken to accept alternative paths to motherhood, such as surrogacy or adoption.
Family has always been a central theme in Gomez’s life, and her desire to have children has been no secret. As a godmother to her cousin Priscilla’s two children, she has often been surrounded by the joys and struggles of parenting.
However, these moments have also brought to the surface the singer’s challenges. In a moment of candidness with Vanity Fair, Gomez revealed, “I haven’t ever said this, but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children. I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.”
Although upsetting, she seemed at peace. “It’s not necessarily the way I envisioned it,” the singer explained. “I thought it would happen the way it happens for everyone. [But] I’m in a much better place with that. I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me.”
What’s more, the singer is looking forward to becoming a mother in any way. “At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby,” she added.
Over the years, Gomez has opened up in detail about the health struggles that make carrying children too risky for her. In 2015, she publicly revealed her diagnosis of lupus, an autoimmune disease that led her to undergo chemotherapy. At the time, she took a break from her career due to the severity of her condition.
A year later, Gomez disclosed the mental health difficulties her lupus had caused, which included anxiety, panic attacks, and depression. She told People that these come with their own set of “challenges.”
As a result, the singer once again took time off from her career to prioritize her well-being. However, the struggles continued. In 2017, Gomez received a kidney transplant that saved her life. The kidney was generously donated by her close friend, Francia Raisa.
She publicly thanked Raisa and her medical team for their support during one of the most difficult periods of her life. “I am incredibly blessed. I love you so much, sis,” she wrote on Instagram.
Unfortunately, her problems didn’t end there. Gomez disclosed in 2020 that she was living with bipolar disorder. During an Instagram conversation with Miley Cyrus, she revealed that understanding her condition helped her feel less fearful.
“It doesn’t scare me once I know it,” Gomez said, adding that learning more about her mental health allowed her to take control of her narrative.
These health battles have undeniably influenced Gomez’s perspective on life and her plans for the future. Despite the obstacles she has encountered, she continues to make a positive impact through her acts of kindness.
