Growing up as a star on the Disney Channel, Selena Gomez learned to be quiet about controversial issues. The 28-year-old singer, actress and cosmetic magnate took a different approach.
She has criticized the role of social media platforms in spreading misinformation in this month’s attack on the United States Capitol and during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Gomez explained her thoughts on Friday on Apple Music, when host Zane Lowe asked her how she found the courage to speak, when it would be easier to be silent.
“But you see, Zane, I did this for like 10 years, you know,” said Gomez. “This is no time for that. Like, I don’t care. Not in a careless way where I just want to hurt people’s feelings. It really happened because it was necessary. “
Gomez must have felt pressured to keep his opinions to himself, because of the large number of fans. She has been in the public eye for most of her life. She became famous on a children’s program Barney (alongside friend Demi Lovato) when she was just 7 years old, before finding success with Disney and then something more adult, like starring Spring breakers, Netflix executive production drama 13 reasons why and featuring cooking series Selena + Chef on HBO Max.
His most recent comments on the accountability of social media leaders for the state came after supporters of President Donald Trump invaded the United States Capitol on January 6. In the days after the violence, Zuckerberg’s Facebook and other platforms banned the outgoing president, at least until he stepped down.
“I think I started looking for people right away, like directly. I wasn’t afraid to call a Mark Zuckerberg or say what I wanted, because I couldn’t handle what I was seeing, ”said Gomez. “And we are already making progress.”
Scientific misinformation has cost and will cost lives. @Facebook they said they would not allow lies about COVID and vaccines to spread on their platforms. So, how is all this still happening? Facebook will be responsible for thousands of deaths if it doesn’t act now! https://t.co/IAtDpNT5Tt
– Selena Gomez (@selenagomez) December 30, 2020
“For me,” said Gomez, “I can’t stand the fact that people need to know that there are neo-Nazi groups online and that there are [are] I hate online groups and disinformation from the US vote on … the COVID virus. They are not allowed to do this. This should be a place where people share, you know, their lives. Do not create hatred and hurt people. “
Gomez commented that she can “get pretty excited” about the issue.
“I just think it is necessary to draw the attention of those responsible, but at the same time, be able to do what I can,” she said.
The singer also spoke about “De Una Vez”, her new track in Spanish, and her second after “Un Ano Sin Lluvia” in 2010.
“This is something I wanted to do 10 years ago – work on a Spanish project,” said Gomez, whose father is Mexican, “because I am very, very proud of my heritage.”
She said it was being released at the perfect time.
“Only with the entire division in the world,” explained Gomez, who was named after the late Tejano singer Selena Quintanilla. “There’s something about Latin music that, globally, makes people feel things, you know?”
When Lowe asked her what it was like to sing in Spanish, Gomez told him it was a challenge. She said in February 2018 that she was not fluent in the language, although she wanted to.
“You know what’s funny is that I really think I sing better in Spanish. That was something I discovered, ”said Gomez. “It was a lot of work and look, you can’t say anything wrong. It is something that needed to be precise and respected by the audience that I am going to launch to. Sure, I want everyone to enjoy the song, but I’m targeting my fan base. I’m looking forward to my heritage and I couldn’t be more excited. “
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