Last night, Billboard held their annual ‘Women in Music’ awards ceremony in LA, honoring women who have had a tremendous impact on the music industry. And one of those honorees is Selena Gomez. She was presented with the ‘Woman of the Year’ award by two of her closest girlfriends, Francia Raisa and Elle Fanning. Selena was overcome with emotion as she dedicated the award to her best friend Francia, who made the brave decision to give Selena her OWN kidney.
Selena says fighting through tears, “to be honest, I think Francia should be getting this award because she saved my life.”
She continued, “I couldn’t be more grateful for the position that I’ve been given in my career. I want people to know that I respect the platform that I have so deeply…I’ve never felt more proud to be a woman in this industry. I am so grateful for all the older women who have helped us up.” and adds, “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay it but maybe I’ll make an epic album next year.” She says with a laugh.
Earlier on the Billboard red carpet, Selena was asked about how she’s feeling post-surgery she says, “I’m good. That whole experience made me look at life a little differently and I’m grateful for that. It feels good to be able to share my story the way I want to. I’m good, I’m really good.”
You can see the full speech here:
video courtesy of gomezsrevival
I want to just point out how amazing and unbelievably classy Selena was during this whole speech. She conducted herself with such poise. It’s so inspiring and I hope that people will see how much Selena has done for women not just in the music industry, but for women dealing with mental illness, lupus and other health issues. She inspires all women everywhere to be brave, confident and to live your best life possible.
Now, there are some people out there…’haters’ saying that she doesn’t deserve to be Billboard’s ‘Woman of the Year’. Well haters, you’re SO wrong.
Why? Let me give you the receipts.
1. Selena has released 4 new songs in 2017
Bad Liar which was No. 20 on the Billboard hot 100 list in July, ‘Fetish’ gained 119 million views on Youtube, ‘It Ain’t me’ ft Kygo and ‘Wolves’ ft Marshmello
2. According to Billboard ‘Wolves’ is hit the No. 1 spot on Hot dance/electronic songs chart and it also received 13 million U.S streams.
‘Wolves’ is about her own personal struggle with Lupus.
3. Billboard also says she has sold 3.4 million albums
4. Selena has raised $500,000 to help find a cure for Lupus and has continued to raise awareness by talking about her own struggle with the disease.
5. She is the most followed person in Instagram
6. Selena is UNICEF’s youngest Goodwill Ambassador and is also the spokesperson for their ‘Trick or Treat Campaign’ which helps to raise awareness for the plight of children living in Ghana, and in Nepal, and other countries as well.
7. She also helped raise $1 Million for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital
8. Selena has helped many young women and men who have dealt with mental illness, including depression, anxiety, etc.
At last year’s Billboard Awards, she spoke from the heart,
she said, (via billboard): “I think it’s safe to say that a lot of you know a lot of my life whether I liked it or not and I had to stop. Because I had everything, and I was absolutely broken. And I kept it together and I swore I would never let you down, but I kept it too much together to where I let myself down.” But Selena added, “I’m not trying to get validation, nor do I need it anymore.”
Selena then offered a piece of advice for those who are struggling with anxiety and depression, “if you are broken, you don’t have to stay broken.”
9. She performed her hit single ‘Wolves’ for the first time since her surgery, and she rocked it. I know everyone was criticizing her performance, saying she was “lip-syncing” but TBH, who the fuck cares if she did or didn’t. It was amazing regardless.
I think Selena is so misunderstood by Hollywood sometimes. I don’t get why people have to be so cruel towards her. I have never met her (I wish!) But she seems like the sweetest woman in the world. To me, she’s inspiring, caring, helpful and lends a voice to those who need it the most. Not only is she BEAUTIFUL, but she’s one-of-a-kind. And that is so unbelievably rare. It’s a rare quality to have. And I think that quality suits her quite well.
So haters…do you have anything to say now?
I am dedicating this post to Selena and her efforts to help inspire young women like myself to become more brave, confident and courageous. To fight the fight.
Thank you Selena. ❤
Selena’s billboard Dec 9th issue interview (not the full interview, just parts of it): http://billboard-woman-of-the-year-selena-gomez-on-her-surgery-saying-no-to-industry
Here is Selena’s style in photos:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcJ7bHHAhK7
Selena and BFF + Kidney Donor Francia Raisa 🙂
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbt6jFiFAGz
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bbp4VKgFFCS
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbAJMI_l-jF
https://www.instagram.com/p/BacjlHvlx59
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZS6sbbFgmM
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZUTyzNF2Mt
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZgxfyjFgAK
https://www.instagram.com/p/BY–rPUHjoD
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZ15CpiHh_X
https://www.instagram.com/p/BOwXorjBaBe
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWuM_UJAO5m
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcNnnNyH_gL
Image credit: @billboard
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcNnrSgH3Nu
Image credit: @billboard
image credit: @billboard
image credit: @billboard
Haven’t listened to ‘wolves’ yet? check out the video here:
oh and the featured image GIF of Selena in her wolves music video is from youtube and WeheartIt!
XOXO
Ja'dore By Design 