Selena Gomez taking time off after lupus complications
Selena Gomez will take time off due to anxiety, panic attacks, and depression stemming from her ongoing battle with lupus, the singer revealed Tuesday.
“As many of you know, around a year ago I revealed that I have lupus, an illness that can affect people in different ways,” she told People in an exclusive statement. “I’ve discovered that anxiety, panic attacks, and depression can be side effects of lupus, which can present their own challenges.”
She went on to explain the decision: “I want to be proactive and focus on maintaining my health and happiness and have decided that the best way forward is to take some time off. Thank you to all my fans for your support. You know how special you are to me, but I need to face this head on to ensure I am doing everything possible to be my best. I know I am not alone by sharing this, I hope others will be encouraged to address their own issue.”
The news comes after a near-four month run on the road for her Revival tour, a worldwide trek in support of her second studio album of the same name. It was set to continue through the end of December with legs in Australia, North America, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. A rep for Gomez didn’t immediately return EW’s request for comment on if those shows would go on as scheduled.
She hinted at challenges in July, posting an emotional Instagram note about feeling “extremely inauthentic” at her show in Indonesia. “I’m always true to my word, I’ve shown who I am but I need to rethink some areas of my life creatively and personally,” she wrote.
The pop star first disclosed that she’d been diagnosed with lupus during an interview with Billboard last October, after her canceled Stars Dance tour sparked rumors of addiction. “I wanted so badly to say, ‘You guys have no idea. I’m in chemotherapy. You’re a–holes,’ ” she said at the time. “But I was angry I even felt the need to say that. It’s awful walking into a restaurant and having the whole room look at you, knowing what they’re saying. I locked myself away until I was confident and comfortable again.”