Selena Gomez, the Only Murders in the Building star and pop icon, turned heads at the 2025 SAG Awards, shedding 30 pounds and radiating confidence in a sleek Celine gown. “I’m proud to be who I am,” she posted on Instagram, embracing her journey despite relentless body-shaming. This isn’t just about a slimmer figure—it’s about a woman battling lupus, mental health struggles, and public scrutiny to find balance. How did she drop the weight? What kept her grounded? Let’s dive into Selena’s story, from her toughest moments to her triumphant glow-up, and see what we can take away.
The Backstory: A Life Under Scrutiny
Selena’s been in the spotlight since her Wizards of Waverly Place days, but fame came with a price. “I have lupus and deal with kidney issues,” she shared in a 2019 podcast, explaining how her autoimmune disease caused weight fluctuations. Diagnosed in 2013, she faced a kidney transplant in 2017, and medications led to water retention. “When I’m taking it, I hold a lot of water weight,” she said in a 2023 TikTok Live. By 2024, she weighed around 150 pounds, per WP NYU, but felt the pressure of Hollywood’s beauty standards.
“I was getting a lot of hate for my body,” she told Extra in 2015, recalling early body-shaming. Social media didn’t help—fans and trolls alike commented on her curves. “People bitch about it anyway,” she laughed in a 2022 TikTok, shrugging off critics after a Jack in the Box binge. But the noise got to her. “It’s made me a tad bitter,” she admitted in 2025 on the On Purpose podcast. What pushed her to change? “I’m not a model, never will be,” she declared, focusing on health over perfection.
The Low Point: Health and Hate
Living with lupus and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) wasn’t easy. “This makes me sick,” she snapped in a 2024 TikTok comment, addressing body-shaming after an Emilia Pérez premiere. SIBO caused bloating, and lupus meds made her weight yo-yo. “I don’t care that I don’t look like a stick figure,” she said, but the scrutiny stung. “Everyone has something to say,” she told People in 2025, frustrated that men rarely face the same judgment. At 32, she felt the weight of public eyes.
Mental health struggles added fuel. “I’ve dealt with anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder,” she shared in a 2024 Vanity Fair interview. Emotional eating crept in, and stress piled on. “I’d be lying if I said it didn’t hurt my feelings,” she said about 2015 trolling. By late 2024, post-Emilia Pérez filming, she was drained. “I’m human,” she said on TikTok, tired of the hate. How did she break free? “I learned to love my flaws,” she posted in 2023, marking her turning point.
The Plan: How Selena Lost 30 Pounds
Selena’s 30-pound loss by 2025 wasn’t about crash diets or Ozempic rumors. “I’m not perfect,” she said on Instagram, emphasizing sustainable changes. Her approach blended mindful eating, exercise, and mental health care, tailored to her lupus and SIBO. “I’m just human,” she reiterated, keeping it real. Here’s how she did it.
Diet: Whole Foods, No Fads
Selena swapped fast food for nutrient-dense meals. “I love my tacos,” she joked in a 2022 TikTok, but by 2024, she leaned into whole foods. “She’s all about lean proteins, veggies, and complex carbs,” her trainer Amy Rosoff Davis told Byrdie. Think grilled chicken, quinoa, and avocado—no gluten or dairy to ease SIBO bloating. “I don’t obsess over calories,” Selena said, per Pinkvilla, focusing on balance. She drank water like it was her job, cutting sugary drinks.
“It’s about feeling good,” she told Vanity Fair. Her diet fought inflammation, crucial for lupus. “I listen to my body,” she said, savoring meals mindfully. Fans noticed her glow at the 2025 Oscars, but Selena stayed chill. “I’m not a model,” she repeated, shutting down hype. Her approach wasn’t starvation—it was sustainable, and that’s why it worked.
Exercise: Fun and Functional
Selena’s workouts were never extreme. “I’m not in the gym for hours,” she said in a 2023 Rare Beauty clip. Guided by Davis, she mixed Pilates, yoga, hiking, and dance—three to five days a week. “I love moving my body,” she shared, per StyleCraze. A 30-minute session might include lunges, crunches, and downward dog, building strength without stress. “It’s about balance,” she said, stretching on off days to stay flexible.
Lupus joint pain meant low-impact moves. “I can’t overdo it,” she told Pinkvilla. Dance kept it fun, while hiking cleared her mind. “I feel stronger,” she posted in 2024, sharing a workout selfie. By 2025, her toned arms and legs shone at the SAG Awards. “I’m proud of my body,” she said, proving health trumped aesthetics.
Mental Health: The Real Game-Changer
Selena’s biggest shift was mental. “Mental health is everything,” she told Vanity Fair in 2024. Therapy and meditation became daily habits, lowering cortisol levels that fuel weight gain. “I’ve learned to love myself,” she said in a 2023 Instagram Story. She ditched social media’s frontlines, letting assistants handle posts. “I couldn’t handle the hate,” she admitted, per WP NYU. Her Wondermind platform pushed self-care over scales.
Her 2024 engagement to Benny Blanco boosted her joy. “I’m happier,” she said, per People. “I’m not a victim,” she added on TikTok, refusing to let trolls define her. Therapy helped her reframe body image. “It’s okay to be me,” she posted in 2023, and that mindset made her 30-pound loss stick.
The Glow-Up: Selena in 2025
By 2025, Selena was thriving. “I’m proud to be who I am,” she wrote on Instagram, rocking a navy gown at the SAG Awards. Weighing around 120 pounds, per WP NYU, she looked toned and radiant. “I feel my best,” she told People, crediting her balanced lifestyle. Her Emilia Pérez role earned buzz, and Only Murders in the Building kept her Emmy-nominated. “I’m living up to my fullest potential,” she said, echoing fan X posts.
She still faced trolls. “I fall victim to looking at things,” she admitted on the On Purpose podcast, but ignored most. “I’m not perfect,” she said, laughing off Ozempic rumors. Her confidence inspired fans. “Selena’s so real,” one X user wrote. “I’m just human,” she reiterated, staying grounded. How does her journey compare to other stars?
Celebrity Comparisons: Selena vs. the A-List
Selena’s 30-pound loss is modest compared to some. Tammy Slaton dropped 500 pounds with bariatric surgery, saying, “I’m worth the effort.” Selena’s natural approach differs—no scalpels, just lifestyle tweaks. Meghan Trainor lost 60 pounds on Mounjaro, per People, while Selena avoided drugs. “I’m not on Ozempic,” she clarified on TikTok. Chrissy Metz shed 100 pounds through diet and therapy, closer to Selena’s holistic vibe. “I’m proud of my body,” Selena said, mirroring Metz’s self-love.
“Consistency is key,” Selena’s nutritionist, Dr. Kristin Jones, told NutritionByKristin. Unlike Adele’s 100-pound loss with intense workouts, Selena’s gentle routine suits her lupus. “I’m not caving to pressure,” she said, unlike stars chasing Hollywood’s thin ideal. Her focus on health over aesthetics sets her apart.
The Risks: What Experts Say
Losing 30 pounds is great, but lupus complicates things. “Gradual loss is safest,” says Dr. Michael Baah, a chronic illness expert. Selena’s slow drop—18 pounds in 2024, 12 more by 2025—was smart. “I listen to my body,” she said, avoiding overexertion. SIBO demands anti-inflammatory diets, and “Selena’s cutting gluten and dairy helps,” Baah notes. Her meds cause water retention, so “weight swings are normal,” she said on TikTok.
Ozempic rumors? “No weight-loss drugs,” she confirmed, per WP NYU. “Fad diets can worsen lupus,” Baah warns, praising Selena’s whole-foods focus. Mental health risks loomed, too. “Stress can trigger flares,” Baah says, but Selena’s therapy helps. “I’m not a victim,” she said, staying resilient. Her balanced approach minimizes risks, making her journey sustainable.
Tips for Your Journey: Selena’s Playbook
Selena’s story is for anyone wanting to feel better. “I’m proud to be who I am,” she said, and you can be, too. Here’s how to steal her vibe:
-
Eat mindfully: “I don’t obsess over calories,” she said. Try veggies, lean proteins, and whole grains.
-
Move your way: “I love moving my body,” she shared. Start with 30-minute walks or yoga.
-
Prioritize mental health: “Mental health is everything,” she said. Try therapy or journaling.
-
Ignore trolls: “I’m not a model,” she declared. Focus on you, not critics.
-
Stay patient: “It’s okay to be me,” she posted. Small steps lead to big wins.
“I’m just human,” Selena said, and her realness inspires. What’s one change you can make today?
FAQ: Your Questions About Selena Gomez’s Weight Loss Answered
How much weight did Selena Gomez lose in 2025?
Selena lost about 30 pounds by 2025, dropping from 150 to around 120 pounds, per WP NYU. “I’m proud to be who I am,” she said on Instagram. Her loss came from mindful eating, exercise, and mental health care, not drugs or crash diets, despite lupus and SIBO challenges.
Did Selena Gomez use Ozempic for weight loss?
No, Selena didn’t use Ozempic. “I’m not on any weight-loss drugs,” she clarified on TikTok in 2024, addressing rumors after her SAG Awards look. Her 30-pound loss came from diet, exercise, and therapy. “I listen to my body,” she said, focusing on health.
What diet did Selena Gomez follow?
Selena ate whole foods—lean proteins, veggies, complex carbs, and healthy fats like avocado. “I don’t obsess over calories,” she told Pinkvilla. She cut gluten and dairy to manage SIBO and lupus. “It’s about feeling good,” she said, prioritizing nourishment over restriction.
How did Selena Gomez address body-shaming?
Selena clapped back at trolls, saying, “I’m not a model, never will be,” in a 2023 TikTok Live. She called out body-shaming in 2024, posting, “This makes me sick,” about a TikTok criticizing her. “I’m proud to be who I am,” she said, promoting self-love.
What workouts did Selena Gomez do?
Selena worked out three to five days a week, mixing Pilates, yoga, dance, and hiking. “I love moving my body,” she said, per StyleCraze. Her 30-minute sessions included lunges and crunches, tailored for lupus. “It’s about balance,” she shared, keeping it fun.
Wrapping It Up: Selena’s Real Transformation
Selena Gomez’s 30-pound weight loss in 2025 is more than a red-carpet moment—it’s a story of resilience. “I’m proud to be who I am,” she said, owning her journey through lupus, SIBO, and relentless scrutiny. From mindful eating to therapy, she built a lifestyle that works. “I’m just human,” she reminded fans, staying relatable. Her glow at the SAG Awards wasn’t just physical—it was confidence, health, and self-love shining through. “It’s okay to be me,” she posted, and that’s her legacy. Ready to take a page from Selena’s book? Start small, stay real, and embrace your own path.
