Selena Gomez faces backlash for wearing T-shirt with 'self-deprecating' slogan: 'Sets a terrible example'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Selena Gomez has once again found herself at the center of online debate and this time, the discourse has been reignited over nothing more than a T-shirt.

Consequently, her fashion choice stirred controversy, with netizens arguing that the slogan on her shirt promotes insecurity rather than empowerment. 

The shirt that sparked controversy

The former Disent Channel star, who has been in the public eye since she was 10, has long been a target of scrutiny, from discussions about her personal life to relentless commentary on her body and choices, as per BuzzFeed. 

Now, Gomez found herself at the center of yet another debate after she posted a selfie on her Instagram Story wearing a shirt emblazoned with the slogan: "ALL THE GIRLS AT THIS PARTY ARE YOUNGER AND HOTTER THAN ME."

The phrase is a lyric from the second track on her latest album, 'I Said I Love You First', titled 'Younger and Hotter Than Me'. 

Fans speculated that the song, and by extension, the shirt, could be a reflection of her feelings about Hollywood, aging in the entertainment industry, and her evolution as an artist.

Internet questions Selena Gomez's 'self-deprecating' attitude

However, when the image made its way to X (formerly Twitter), it sparked criticism. Social media users suggested that the slogan could set a harmful example, reinforcing insecurities about aging and self-worth.

One said, "Selena is never beating the self deprecating allegations," and another wrote, "It’s interesting that Selena pretends like she wasn’t the standard of beauty at one point but nowadays, she rocks this pick-me mentality that provokes fans to hate on the 'younger + hotter' girls to validate Selena."

A person remarked, "I feel bad that she's so insecure ab herself i hope she learns some self love practices," whereas someone else added, "Sometimes, what y'all think is being quirky and vulnerable is just being pathetic. don't feed into that misogynistic nonsense yourself: seriously beside the cute color and glitters used, everything is wrong with that shirt."

"Really don’t like this self pity and negative self talk. Sets a terrible example for younger women who look up to her," a comment read. Another person questioned, "What would possess someone to wear this."

Selena Gomez admits public scrutiny has made her 'a tad bitter'

The pop star and actress, who has been in the public eye since the age of 10, has spent years enduring waves of criticism, particularly surrounding her appearance and personal struggles.

For context, Gomez has been candid about her health struggles since 2015, opening up about lupus and its impact on her body.

This transparency, however, has not shielded her from relentless scrutiny.

Her weight fluctuations have become an unfortunate fixation for internet commentators, leading her to address the rampant discourse multiple times.

Most recently, in a conversation with Jay Shetty, she revealed the toll of public judgment, saying, "Everyone just has something to say, and it’s making me really sad. Not even sad, because, you know, I’m not a victim. I’m just a tad bitter, and I feel really guilty for saying that, but it’s true."

This statement struck a chord, particularly because it touches on a recurring accusation that has followed Gomez for years- the claim that she has a "victim complex."

Reportedly, this narrative gained traction in 2023 when she publicly supported TikToks that labeled Hailey Bieber, a frequent figure in Gomez-related online drama, as a "mean girl."

The situation escalated when she left a laughing emoji under a TikTok accusing her of having a "heavy victim complex," a move that only fueled the ongoing discourse. 

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.