Selena Gomez on How Her Beauty Brand Overlaps With Her Mental Health Advocacy
Selena Gomez is known for a lot of things: her music, beloved acting roles, mental health advocacy and, in the last few years, Rare Beauty.
Through the beauty line, the Only Murders in the Building actress found a way to intertwine beauty products with mental health initiatives.
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“I wanted there to be a conversation started,” Gomez told Fast Company about her desire to start Rare Beauty following her bipolar diagnosis. “I wasn’t ashamed, and I wanted it to lead to something healing.”
With the cosmetics line and its nonprofit division, the Rare Impact Fund, Gomez strives to break down unrealistic standards of perfection and reduce the stigma associated with mental health, providing people with access to resources.
“When I was younger, I thought I could save the world,” Gomez told the publication, crying. “It breaks my heart to hear a girl come up to me and say, ‘I was so close to taking my life, but when I watched your documentary, I couldn’t imagine doing that anymore.’ That’s the coolest gift, but yeah, look at me…,” she said, pointing at her tears. “It’s crazy to have that responsibility.”
The nonprofit aims to raise $100 million in 10 years in an effort to make mental health services and education more accessible for young people around the world. Her first annual Rare Impact Fund Benefit will take place in Los Angeles on Oct. 4, with appearances from her Only Murders co-star, Martin Short, and music producer Marshmello, featuring a special performance by H.E.R.
Elsewhere in the profile, the “Calm Down” singer spoke about her 90-day stint at a treatment facility in Tennessee, her lupus diagnosis and her eventual kidney transplant because of it. She also touched on revealing on an Instagram Live with Miley Cyrus that she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, something she struggled to open up about.
“I grew up being a people pleaser,” Gomez said. “I had a responsibility at a very young age — young people were looking up to me. I didn’t know who I was. Having that responsibility would make me walk on eggshells a lot. I thought maybe it would be damaging to tell people who I am. It started to become a threat that freaked me out. Well, if you’re not right, then you can’t work.”
When asked why she thought her fans were so loyal to her, the My Mind & Me documentary subject explained she thinks it’s because she’s relatable for a lot of young women.
“I’m not unattainable,” she said. “I look at someone like a Beyoncé, and I am amazed. My jaw drops. Every part of her is just impeccable, and it’s just so beautiful. I went to her show and was blown away. But I’m just not that, and that’s OK. I’m me, and I’m a little silly, but I also like being sexy and fun, and I also want to do good with the time I have here. We need goddesses like Beyoncé and Adele. But I’m just happy to be your best friend.”
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