Selena Gomez dubbed 'weird' as she kisses Ariana Grande's arm before embracing her at SBIFF

Selena Gomez dubbed 'weird' as she kisses Ariana Grande's arm before embracing her at SBIFF
Selena Gomez's fans criticized the singer after she was spotted kissing Ariana Grande on her arm at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (X/Pop Crave, Getty Images)

SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA: Selena Gomez was heavily mocked on the internet and labeled "weird" after she was spotted kissing Ariana Grande’s arm during a recent meet-up. 

The two child stars recently crossed paths at the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on Sunday, February 9, in Santa Barbara. 



 

While the Rare Beauty founder - who recently found herself embroiled in a controversy for her emotional video over the Trump administration's mass deportation of unlawful migrants - and the ‘Wicked’ star’s meeting was laced with warmth and genuine fondness, fans noticed a weird detail that did not sit well with them.

Selena Gomez kisses Ariana Grande’s arm at Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The 32-year-old ‘Only Murders in the Building’ star recently attended the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where she met with the Nickelodeon alum, 31, who was also awarded the Virtuosos Award along with Gomez, John Magaro, Sebastian Stan, Monica Barbaro, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Mikey Madison, Fernanda Torres, and Clarence Maclin. 

(L-R) Honorees John Magaro, Sebastian Stan, Monica Barbaro, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Mikey Madison, Fernanda Torres, and Clarence Maclin pose with thei Virtuosos Awards during the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 09, 2025 in Santa Barbara, California. (Photo by Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival)
Honorees John Magaro, Sebastian Stan, Monica Barbaro, Ariana Grande, Selena Gomez, Mikey Madison, Fernanda Torres, and Clarence Maclin pose with their Virtuosos Awards during the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at The Arlington Theatre on February 9, 2025, in Santa Barbara, California (Rebecca Sapp/Getty Images for Santa Barbara International Film Festival)

In a short clip detailing their meeting that went viral on social media, it can be seen an excited Gomez kissing the arm of Grande before the ‘Thank U, Next’ songstress turned around and embraced the ‘Emilia Perez’ star. 

As the duo embraced and exchanged greetings, they continued to chat, all the while their bodyguards beaming at the friendly moment. Coincidentally, the friendly moment was also highlighted by the song playing in the background - Billie Eilish’s ‘Birds of a Feather’. 

Soon, several fans flocked to social media to voice their opinion about the exchange which they found "weird."

(L-R) Selena Gomez, wearing CHANEL, and Ariana Grande, wearing CHANEL, attend the Academy Women's Luncheon presented by CHANEL at the Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures on December 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Stefanie Keenan/WireImage)
Selena Gomez, wearing CHANEL, and Ariana Grande, wearing CHANEL, attend the Academy Women's Luncheon presented by CHANEL at the Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures on December 10, 2024, in Los Angeles, California (Stefanie Keenan/WireImage)

This is, however, not the only meeting the two women had in the recent past. In early December, Gomez and Grande posed happily for another photograph at the Academy Women's Luncheon presented by CHANEL at the Academy Museum Of Motion Pictures in Los Angeles. 

The 'We Can't Be Friends' hitmaker and Gomez also sat beside each other during the event and later gave an insight into their friendship when they gave a shout-out to each other on Instagram, per Elle.

While Gomez posted a photo of her and Grande on Instagram Story, writing, “an angel on earth,” Grande reposted the Instagram Story and responded, “That’s you @selenagomez.”

Social media calls out Selena Gomez for her 'weird' kiss 

Following Selena Gomez's kiss at Ariana Grande's back, several social media users were left baffled, with many even resorting to asking online why the Rare Beauty founder did so. 

One of the fans boldly asked online, "Why did Selena kiss Ariana's back?"



 

Someone else penned, "Shes trying to suck the singing abilities out of ariana."



 

"Coz she wanted some bone soup," mocked another social media user. 



 

Another fan similarly asked, "Why she kissing her shoulder? 🤨"



 

"Selena is such a weirdo," declared another netizen, before continuing, "Like wtf would you kiss her like that."



 

"Why did Selena kiss her back? She’s so weird," chimed in another similarly. 



 

Someone else, meanwhile, defended the sweet gesture between the two songstresses, noting, "She kissed her arm and because she and Ariana are close friends and she's wholesome and we love them yk."



 

"Because they love each other," added another fan of the duo. 



 

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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