Selena Gomez has often been criticized for drawing attention to her personal life rather than leaving a significant mark in her professional career.

Since entering the entertainment industry, Selena Gomez has become the center of international media attention.

To this day, she still holds the record for the most-followed female celebrity on the social media platform Instagram, despite not being very active in recent years. In the eyes of the public, she is remembered for her high-profile relationships with Justin Bieber, The Weeknd, and her battle with the autoimmune disease lupus. Consequently, some argue that her fame primarily stems from these controversies rather than her talent and achievements in her career.

The opportunity to break free from the shadow of Justin Bieber

Undeniably, Selena Gomez’s relationship with Justin Bieber has been a significant milestone in both her career and personal life. They came together when both were at the peak of their careers, creating a media frenzy at the time. Many even compared their relationship to the attention garnered by the marriage of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

To this day, the gossip surrounding Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber has not ceased, even though they have been apart for many years. Despite their separation, the public still tends to focus on any new developments in their past relationship rather than their individual achievements. Towards the end of 2019, Selena Gomez made a comeback with the single “Lose You To Love Me” after a prolonged period of battling with illness. The song’s lyrics were inspired by her relationship with Bieber and captured widespread attention, becoming her first number one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. However, this achievement was somewhat overshadowed by criticism from some netizens who believed that Selena Gomez still relied on her past relationship with Bieber to make an impact in her career. Thus, Justin Bieber’s name continues to haunt her career like a lingering specter.

Nevertheless, the 90s star is now facing a significant opportunity to create a new milestone in her artistic career, independent of her past relationships. At the ongoing Cannes Film Festival in France, Selena Gomez plays a crucial role in the film project “Emilia Perez,” which is considered a strong contender for this year’s Palme d’Or.

The screenplay of “Emilia Pérez” tells the story of the escape journey of Mexican drug lord Manitas (played by Karla Sofía Gascón). He hires lawyer Rita to help him orchestrate this escape to evade prosecution. To erase all evidence, Manitas decides to undergo gender reassignment and start a new life. However, deep down, the drug lord has always wanted to become a woman. In the film, Selena Gomez portrays the wife of the main character. Critics have praised her performance, commending her ability to portray the character’s strength and vulnerability.

Selena Gomez has made a strong impression with her role in the new film.

During a recent weekend screening, the film received a lengthy standing ovation of over 9 minutes, accompanied by cheers, whistles, and applause. Overwhelmed by this positive reception, Selena Gomez couldn’t hold back her emotions and burst into tears in the theater. This moment quickly went viral across social media platforms. While winning an award at Cannes is not guaranteed, many fans are delighted to see Selena Gomez’s efforts in the arts being recognized more for their professional aspects.

The result of years of relentless effort
Emerging from a Disney child star, Selena Gomez has long proven herself to be one of Hollywood’s most versatile artists. She began her career as an actress and immediately gained attention with several successful television projects. She then ventured into various roles such as singer, songwriter, producer, entrepreneur, and achieved success in each field.

However, the severe autoimmune disease lupus has significantly impacted her artistic journey. At the end of 2013, Selena Gomez had to cancel her first world tour due to health issues. Shortly after, she was diagnosed with the disease and underwent a prolonged physical and mental battle for many years. “I have had a lot of issues with depression, anxiety. I have spoken out about that. But it is not something I feel I will ever overcome. I think it’s a battle I’m gonna have to face for the rest of my life,” she shared in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar magazine in 2018.

Her health only improved after receiving a kidney transplant from her close friend Francia Raisa. However, shortly after, Selena Gomez was diagnosed with bipolar disorder. The medication she takes makes it difficult for her to conceive. Selena expressed great pain upon receiving this news: “Having a child is a huge dream of mine. I want to have children. I will do everything I can to make that happen,” the singer once revealed.

In recent years, Selena Gomez has been striving to make a comeback in the arts, primarily as an actress. Before “Emilia Perez,” the American star had several notable projects. In 2019, her film “The Dead Don’t Die” was selected to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival and received much attention from audiences. She also had an impressive role in the romantic drama “A Rainy Day in New York,” starring alongside Timothée Chalamet.

From 2021 to the present, Selena has starred in and served as a producer for “Only Murders in the Building,” a popular series on Hulu. To date, this project has won four Emmy Awards and several other prestigious American film awards. In the past two years, she has also received two Emmy nominations for herself through her cooking show “Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays.”
Though not highly publicized, Selena Gomez is gradually rebuilding her career after romantic turmoil and health struggles. These achievements serve as evidence that she no longer needs to rely on Justin Bieber’s name to attract attention from the public and industry professionals alike.