Selena Gomez 2025 Weight Loss: A Dietitian’s Review – SAG Awards & Oscars 2025 Buzz

Selena Gomez’s weight has been making headlines for years. The recent SAG Awards 2025 appearance reignited this cycle yet again, and with the Oscars 2025 just around the corner, the scrutiny isn’t slowing down.

Whether she gains weight or loses it, the speculation never stops. Some are questioning why she lost weight, others want to know if she lost it with Ozempic, and many are just searching for answers—What happened? Why does her body keep changing?

Selena has been open about her health struggles, her evolving relationship with body image, and the intense pressure of living in the spotlight. Yet, instead of focusing on her career, her advocacy, or her impact, the conversation always seems to come back to her size.

In this post, we’re going to dig deeper into the headlines to explore what lies beyond the surface. 

For decades, tabloids and media have conditioned us to analyze and critique women’s bodies, treating weight fluctuations as breaking news and labeling normal body features like cellulite as flaws.

As a registered dietitian, I’ve seen firsthand the damage that diet culture can inflict.

So, if you’ve ever been drawn into the headlines about Selena Gomez’s weight (or any celebrity’s), keep reading—this post will change the way you see the conversation entirely.

Disclaimer: I am a Registered Dietitian, and as such, the information provided is accurate and evidence-based. However, I am not your dietitian, and nutrition therapy is highly individual.  The information contained in this post is not intended to be a substitute for individualized nutrition advice or care. 

The information provided in this blog post is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

If you suspect you may have an eating disorder or any other medical condition, consult with a qualified healthcare provider for a comprehensive evaluation and tailored treatment plan that’s appropriate for you. Always seek the advice of your qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.

Selena Gomez’s Weight Loss at the SAG Awards & Oscars 2025: The Impossible Standards

Content Warning: Body comments are in this section.

Selena Gomez has once again found herself at the center of public scrutiny after her 2025 SAG Awards appearance, and with the Oscars just around the corner, the conversation about her body isn’t slowing down.

Just last year at the 2024 SAG awards, critics flooded social media with comments about her weight gain, with some even suggesting she needed to take Ozempic. Now, after losing weight, she’s being accused of “caving” to pressure and looking “better before.”

Body image advocate and influencer Alex Light highlighted this hypocrisy in a viral Instagram post, showing the stark contrast in how Selena was treated at the 2024 SAG awards vs. the 2025 SAG Awards. No matter what she does, public opinion finds a way to criticize.

But, as Alex puts it, this isn’t just about Selena, it’s about the impossible, ever-changing beauty standards that all women face, whether in the public eye or not.

“No matter what we do, someone will have an opinion. So let’s remind ourselves: our bodies are ours, not up for public discussion.”

Alex Light

Other celebrities have also spoken out about the harsh commentary. Taylor Lautner defended her on Instagram, writing:

“It’s a cruel world full of hate out there. You can never please everyone nor should you have to. In my experience it doesn’t make the words sting less, it just refocuses you onto what matters. And it sure isn’t the shape, color or appearance of your body. Daily reminder to all of us to not forget how beautiful you are inside and out…and be a little bit nicer.”

Taylor Lautner

With the Oscars 2025 happening this Sunday, all eyes will once again be on Selena. But the real question is: why do we still feel entitled to comment on people’s bodies?

Why Selena Gomez’s Weight Always Seems to Be In the Spotlight 

Selena Gomez is one of the most well-known celebrities in the world, with an Instagram following of over 400 million. With that level of fame comes constant public attention, but there’s one thing that seems to spark more conversation than anything else: her weight. 

Any change in her body size leads to a flood of speculation. If she gains weight, people assume she is unhealthy, unhappy, or struggling. If she loses weight, the conversation shifts to how she did it, whether it was intentional, and if she is using Ozempic. 

This relentless focus on women’s bodies in the media has deep historical roots, contributing to the objectification and scrutiny women face even today. There are so many things the media could focus on when it comes to Selena—her success as a musician, actress, and businesswoman, her impact on mental health advocacy, her company Rare Beauty challenging societal beauty norms, or even her resilience in navigating life with a chronic illness. 

Yet, time and time again, the conversation is reduced to her body. 

This is a prime example of diet culture in action. It reflects the cultural belief that weight gain is something to be explained or apologized for, while weight loss is something to be praised. It keeps us hyper-focused on weight as if it matters more than a person’s accomplishments, character, or well-being.

The problem is that these messages don’t stay confined to Hollywood. They trickle down to all of us and shape how we see our own bodies and compare ourselves to those around us. They reinforce the message that despite everything you do or accomplish, your worth is tied to your appearance.

But the reality is that weight fluctuations are normal. Bodies change due to illness, stress, aging, medications, and life itself. No one owes the world an explanation for how their body looks…. And the way you look is the least interesting thing about you. Your passions, values, dreams, the way you make people feel, and the impact you have on the world are far more important. 

The real issue isn’t Selena Gomez’s body. It’s the way we’ve been conditioned to analyze, pick apart, and compare bodies at all… and it’s time to change that narrative. 

Selena Gomez’s Health: The Role of Lupus & Medication in Weight Changes

Living with a chronic illness is a complex and often invisible battle. Selena Gomez has bravely shared her experiences with multiple health conditions, giving us a glimpse into the realities of navigating life in the public eye while managing her health. Even though she’s a celebrity, she’s still a human and deserves empathy and understanding instead of critical judgments about her body. 

What Illness Does Selena Gomez Have?

In 2013, Selena Gomez was diagnosed with Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that causes the body’s immune system to attack its own tissues. Lupus can lead to pain, fatigue, inflammation, and organ damage, requiring ongoing medical treatment to manage symptoms and prevent complications.

Her battle with Lupus has been anything but easy. She has undergone chemotherapy treatments and, in 2017, received a kidney transplant due to lupus-related kidney failure. 

Beyond the physical toll, she has also shared how the disease has affected her mental health, contributing to anxiety, depression, and panic attacks. And in 2020, she revealed that she was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. 

In addition, she has also mentioned that she has Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), a condition that affects digestion and can cause bloating, discomfort, and unintentional weight fluctuations.

Selena has been candid about her journey, acknowledging that managing her health is an ongoing process:

“There won’t be a day when I’m like, ‘Here I am in a pretty dress—I won!’ I think it’s a battle I’m gonna have to face for the rest of my life, and I’m okay with that because I know that I’m choosing myself over anything else.”

Why Did Selena Gomez Previously Gain Weight?

It’s natural to wonder why someone’s body changes, especially when weight holds so much significance in our culture. 

However, instead of questioning why Selena Gomez gained weight, maybe the question we should be asking is: why are we so conditioned to view weight as the most important part of someone’s health?

For many people with chronic illnesses, weight changes are a side effect of necessary medical care. In Selena’s case, several factors may contribute to fluctuations in her body size, including:

• Lupus Medications: Corticosteroids like prednisone help control inflammation but can cause fluid retention, increased appetite, and fat redistribution.
• Mental Health Medications: Many medications used to treat bipolar disorder, anxiety, and depression can impact appetite and weight.
• SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth): This digestive condition can cause bloating and unpredictable weight changes.

Weight changes in response to medical treatment are not necessarily a bad thing. Rather than being a sign of a problem, they can simply reflect the body adjusting to what it needs to function and heal. 

For Selena, her health is her priority versus conforming to a certain Hollywood appearance standard. In a TikTok live, she responded to body shamers by saying,

“When I’m taking [medication for Lupus], I tend to hold a lot of water weight, and that happens very normally. When I’m off of it, I tend to kind of lose weight…
…I just want people to know that you’re beautiful and you’re wonderful. Yeah, we have days where maybe we feel like s—, but I would much rather be healthy and take care of myself, and my medications are important, and I believe that they’re what helps me.”

She ended the live by saying, 

“I don’t believe in shaming people for their body or anything.”

Ultimately, Selena’s message is clear: body shaming has no place in a compassionate world.

Did Selena Gomez Lose Weight With Ozempic?

Recently, Selena Gomez has lost weight, which has led to speculation about her taking Ozempic, a diabetes medication now being used off-label for weight loss.

However, these claims are unsubstantiated, and Selena has not addressed them. Frankly, whether or not she has used Ozempic is her private medical information, and speculating about it is disrespectful. Furthermore, focusing on someone’s weight, especially when it’s tied to medical conditions, is reductive and disrespectful. Her medical choices, like anyone’s, are private, so I won’t engage in further discussion about unverified claims.

While Ozempic is a trending topic, for the sake of brevity, I won’t get into that discussion here. It’s a large enough topic for its own post. But I do want to acknowledge that speculating about Ozempic can be harmful, contribute to body shaming, and spread misinformation about medications. I also want to be clear that I’m not promoting or condemning Ozempic. Medical decisions are deeply personal, complex, and ultimately a private matter between a patient and their healthcare provider.

Her Stance on Weight, Body Image, and Self-Acceptance

Selena Gomez has been vocal about the pressure to conform to unrealistic beauty standards, especially as someone who has faced intense public scrutiny over her body. But rather than trying to meet impossible expectations, she has learned to embrace self-acceptance on her own terms.

In a TikTok story, she addressed the constant criticism of her body, saying:

“Honestly, I don’t care about my weight because people bitch about it anyway… ‘You’re too small,’ ‘you’re too big,’ ‘that doesn’t fit.’ ‘Meh meh meh meh.’ Bitch, I am perfect the way I am.”

Her confidence didn’t come overnight. Like many, her journey with body image has been complicated. Reflecting on past struggles, she shared:

“It’s hard to feel comfortable when you feel like everyone is watching, judging, and commenting on the way you look. Self-confidence is still something I work on daily, but when I stopped trying to conform to society’s unrealistic standards of beauty, my perspective entirely shifted.”

One turning point for Selena was the 2015 Met Gala, when she struggled with how she felt in her body. Rather than forcing herself to fit a sample-size dress, she worked with the designer to create something that fit her body—not the other way around.

“I fluctuate a lot with my weight, and I remember this night specifically, I didn’t feel good about my body. So what was really amazing was that I actually got a chance to work on the dress that fit my body. That was one of the moments where I was like, I don’t have to be that 19-year-old body shape anymore because I’m not.”

But what sets Selena apart from many other celebrities is her awareness of the influence she has on others. In her documentary, My Mind & Me, she was confronted with how deeply her past struggles with body image were shaped by impossible beauty ideals—and how her own words could impact those who look up to her. As she told Vulture, 

“I was completely upset with myself… I couldn’t believe the things I was aspiring to be. Which really aren’t possible unless you have a lot of money and you’re willing to spend it to do that to yourself. That’s not the feeling I want to give anyone. I hope I don’t.”

Through her vulnerability and honesty, Selena Gomez is not only changing the conversation around body image but also empowering others to embrace their own unique beauty.

Selena Gomez’s Balanced Approach to Diet and Exercise 

Selena Gomez’s approach to food and movement is grounded in balance and self-care rather than restriction or appearance-based goals. To my knowledge, she has never promoted a specific diet, and what she and her personal trainer have shared about her diet and exercise aligns with the principles of Intuitive Eating. She chooses foods that nourish her body, support her well-being, and bring her enjoyment.

Her trainer has spoken about her non-restrictive approach, noting that she doesn’t weigh herself, follow diets, or focus on rigid food rules. Instead, she prioritizes whole, nourishing foods and fueling her body for energy and stamina while still allowing flexibility. This reflects the core of intuitive eating: making choices based on what feels good and supports overall well-being and needs rather than deprivation or chasing an arbitrary number or aesthetic goal.

Selena has also been open about her love of food, even launching her own cooking show, Selena + Chef. Her relationship with food isn’t about restriction; it’s about joy, creativity, and fueling her needs. 

If you’re looking for support in cultivating a similar relationship with food and your body, consider working with a non-diet dietitian who can provide guidance and support without promoting restrictive diets or weight-loss-focused approaches.

Rare Beauty & The Bigger Conversation on Beauty Standards

Selena Gomez’s beauty brand, Rare Beauty, was created with a mission that goes beyond makeup—it’s about self-acceptance and mental well-being. Unlike many celebrity beauty lines that reinforce unattainable beauty standards, Rare Beauty challenges the idea that you need to change yourself to be worthy.

From its messaging to its marketing, Rare Beauty promotes the idea that makeup should be a form of self-expression, not a tool for chasing perfection. Selena has been vocal about the pressure to look a certain way in the entertainment industry, and through her brand, she encourages people to see beauty as something personal and unique rather than something to conform to.

This aligns closely with the concept of adaptive vs. maladaptive appearance investment—the difference between engaging in beauty-related practices in a way that enhances self-expression versus doing so out of a deep-seated need to meet external standards.

Adaptive vs. Maladaptive Appearance Investment 

Appearance-related behaviors exist on a spectrum. On one end, they can be flexible, empowering, and rooted in self-care and self-expression—on the other, they can become rigid, distressing, and tied to self-worth and conforming to societal beauty norms. The key difference is in the motivation behind them.

• Adaptive appearance investment means using appearance practices in a way that aligns with your identity and values. This might include wearing makeup because it’s fun or choosing styles that reflect your personality. These practices are flexible, promote well-being, and don’t define your self-worth. 
• Maladaptive appearance investment, on the other hand, involves placing excessive importance on looks, feeling distressed without certain beauty practices, or prioritizing appearance at any cost. If self-worth is tied to achieving a specific look, beauty routines can become more harmful than helpful.

Rare Beauty embraces adaptive appearance investment by encouraging people to use makeup as a way to celebrate their individuality and creativity rather than as a way to “fix” or conform to a certain look. It’s a refreshing contrast to much of the beauty industry, which profits off of insecurity and the belief that we are always one product away from being good enough.

What Selena Gomez’s Weight Discussion Teaches Us About Diet Culture 

The relentless focus on Selena Gomez’s weight and body reveals just how deeply ingrained diet culture is in our society. 

Weight fluctuations are normal, yet they’re treated as breaking news, which is quite frankly lazy, uninspired, and irresponsible journalism that trivializes real health issues and fuels harmful body image comparisons.

Speculating about weight reinforces harmful stereotypes and creates unnecessary pressure for people to prove they are “healthy” based on appearance alone. Health is far more nuanced than a number on a scale, and prioritizing aesthetics under the guise of health is not just misleading; it’s dangerous. 

In a world obsessed with unrealistic standards, Selena reminds us that we have the power to reject diet culture’s harmful messages, prioritize our well-being, and embrace our authentic selves without apology. 

Final Thoughts: It’s Time to Stop Talking About Selena Gomez’s Body

Selena Gomez’s body has been analyzed and dissected for years, but the real question is: Why do we allow a culture to reduce a woman’s existence and worth to her size?

Instead, let’s talk about how Selena has built an incredible legacy. She’s an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate who uses her platform to create real change and impact in the world for the better. She leads with compassion, empowers her fans, and understands the responsibility that comes with her influence.

Selena has made it clear that we can change the narrative. She has prioritized her health, championed self-acceptance, and used her voice to challenge an industry that profits from insecurity.

If there’s anything to take away from this conversation, it’s that we don’t have to keep participating in it. We don’t have to treat weight as newsworthy. We don’t have to equate thinness with health. And we don’t have to measure our worth—or anyone else’s—by a number on the scale.

Bodies change. Confidence fluctuates. But our value? That remains constant. 

In a world full of Kardashians, where beauty is engineered, idolized, and then monetized, Selena Gomez is the refreshing change that we need. 

She embraces authenticity and challenges antiquated and unrealistic standards. And while she still fits conventional beauty norms, she reminds her fans that their well-being, who they are, what they do, and the impact they make in the world are far more important than how they appear to others… and that’s a message worth amplifying. 

If you want to learn more about Intuitive Eating, body image, or harmful Hollywood standards, check out these posts: 

• Does Ariana Grande Have an Eating Disorder? A Dietitian’s Opinion 
• Lizzo’s Weight Loss: A Dietitian’s Review 
• Intuitive Eating Made Me Fat? The Truth About Intuitive Eating and Weight Gain
• Why Do I Feel Guilty After Eating? Surprising Reasons & Solutions
• Intuitive Eating Quiz: Are You an Intuitive Eater?

If you’re looking for personalized support, I offer one-on-one body image and Intuitive Eating counseling services to help you find food freedom and body confidence. My one-on-one services are tailored to your specific needs and concerns. We work to develop a plan together that will help you achieve your goals and fit into your life. Whether you’re looking to break free from the diet cycle, overcome emotional or binge eating, or start treating your body with respect and kindness, I’m here to help!