Selena Gomez continued her mental health advocacy work at the third annual Rare Beauty Mental Health Summit in New York City Wednesday (May 1), opening up about her personal journey and the steps she’s taken to protect her headspace in discussion with Today‘s Hoda Kotb.
One of those steps, she revealed, has been reeling back her online presence — even if she is the most-followed woman on Instagram. “I disabled all my comments on my photos on Instagram for only my friends,” she told Kotb. “So I think I’ve created boundaries to help me. Obviously people fussed about it. They fuss about everything.”
“I felt empowered by doing that,” she added, “by saying, ‘This is just for me.’”
The “Love On” singer also emphasized the importance of keeping positive people in her circle, including boyfriend Benny Blanco, who, she told Kotb, is “wonderful.” “It’s all about, at the end of the day, for me, owning my power,” she said. “And I am who I surround myself with.”
Speaking of Blanco, the producer was quick to share his support on Instagram after Gomez posted photos and videos from the panel on her profile. “i’m so proud of u bb,” he commented on her post. “u inspire me.”
“Our 3rd annual @rarebeauty Mental Health Summit has me leaving inspired by the next generation, filled with so much hope, and grateful to each of you for being on this meaningful journey with us,” the Only Murders in the Building star had written in her caption. “Mental health means so much to me and I’m honored we get to share this mission with the world together.”
Also in attendance was U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murth, who’s been working with Gomez for years to address mental-health-related challenges facing young people in the U.S. At the summit, the duo celebrated the Rare Impact Fund’s success over the past year in raising $7 million for the beauty company’s charitable partners, which largely focus on providing kids and teenagers with wellness resources, suicide prevention efforts and more.
“I will always be working on my mental health, and I will always evolve,” Gomez said at the event. “I’m not better or worse than anyone. I’m simply just a person living and surviving every day.”
