Selena Gomez is taking a breather. The “Kill ’Em With Kindness” singer revealed via a statement to Us Weekly on Tuesday, August 30, that she’s taking a break to cope with her “anxiety, panic attacks and depression.”
“As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have Lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways. I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks and depression can be side effects of Lupus, which can present their own challenges,” her statement read. “I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off. Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone and by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issues.”
Her announcement comes on the heels of her worldwide Revival tour.
In 2013, Gomez, 24, took a break in the middle of her Stars Dance tour and later explained that she’s battling Lupus, an autoimmune disease.
“I was diagnosed with lupus, and I’ve been through chemotherapy,” she told Billboard in October 2015. “That’s what my break was really about. I could’ve had a stroke. … I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy. You’re a–holes,’” she said of the haters at the time who questioned her. “I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.”
Gomez previously sought treatment at a rehab facility in 2014. During a May 2016 interview with GQ, she explained why she decided to check into a treatment center.
“First off, this is something that everyone always wants to fixate on,” the “Same Old Love” singer said at the time. “I got diagnosed with lupus. My mom had a very public miscarriage. So I had to cancel my tour. I needed time to just be OK.” As previously reported, Gomez’s mom, Mandy Teefey, suffered a miscarriage in late 2011, prompting the star to pull the plug on several shows at the time.
