Pop star and actress Selena Gomez has directly addressed years of fan speculation surrounding the noticeable evolution of her speaking voice, offering a candid and unfiltered explanation during a recent social media session.
A Blunt Response to Persistent Questions
The 33-year-old Rare Beauty founder tackled the topic head-on during an Instagram Live broadcast on Tuesday, where she fielded questions from followers in real time. According to a report by Page Six, Gomez read a fan's query aloud, stating, 'Yeah, I've gotten this question a few times, the voice thing.'
After a moment's hesitation, she continued with characteristic bluntness. 'There's no excuse, I don't really care,' she said. 'I think my point is, is that sometimes things happen.' Gomez went on to describe experiencing physical discomfort that affects her vocal cords. 'I get weird. My throat kind of swells inside sometimes. That's all. That's good,' she explained, before thanking her fans for their honesty during the livestream.
Linking Changes to Broader Health Journey
While Gomez did not explicitly connect the vocal changes to a single diagnosis, she has been transparent for years about her significant health battles. The singer publicly revealed her lupus diagnosis in 2015, later disclosing that she underwent chemotherapy as part of her treatment regimen.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks healthy tissue, causing widespread inflammation. Medical experts note it affects roughly one in 10,000 people, with women comprising about 90% of cases. Common symptoms include:
- Joint pain and extreme fatigue
- Skin rashes
- Inflammation that can last for weeks
According to health resources like Healthline, lupus can also lead to vocal issues such as hoarseness, vocal fatigue, and altered vocal quality due to inflammation of the laryngeal tissues—changes that may be temporary or become chronic.
Fan Observations and Viral Comparisons
The speculation was fuelled earlier this year by a viral TikTok video, which amassed over 1.9 million views. The compilation contrasted Gomez's speaking voice from her teenage years on 'Barney & Friends' with more recent appearances, highlighting a marked difference in tone and energy.
One clip showed a young, animated Gomez excitedly discussing her desire to guest star on 'Gossip Girl'. This was juxtaposed with a 2024 interview where she appeared more subdued, telling a young reporter, 'I think people probably know too much about me.' Another segment from the 2025 Golden Globes red carpet worried some fans, who commented she seemed 'out of it' or was slurring her words.
In the comments of such videos, many fans offered supportive theories, suggesting her voice could be affected by a combination of lupus and necessary medications, or the challenge of managing public appearances with a chronic condition. One individual with similar health experiences defended her, writing, 'I could not imagine being on a red carpet with all those flashing lights and loud noises.'
Gomez's candid admission shifts the narrative from speculation to a matter of personal health management. By addressing it directly, she continues her long-standing openness about the realities of living with a serious autoimmune disease in the public eye.
