In a deeply personal and emotional interview with Vanity Fair, 32-year-old singer and actress Selena Gomez revealed for the first time that she is unable to carry her own children due to health complications. For Gomez, the discovery that she couldn’t have a safe pregnancy was devastating, leading to a grieving process over a future she had always envisioned for herself.
A Devastating Discovery
During the interview, Gomez opened up about the emotional journey she has been on since finding out that carrying a child could endanger both her life and the baby’s. She stated: “I haven’t ever said this, but I unfortunately can’t carry my own children. I have a lot of medical issues that would put my life and the baby’s in jeopardy. That was something I had to grieve for a while.”
This revelation adds another layer to the public struggles Gomez has shared with her fans, particularly in relation to her ongoing health battles. The singer and actress has been candid about her experience with lupus, an autoimmune disease that has had a profound impact on her life. Lupus is a chronic condition where the immune system becomes hyperactive and attacks normal, healthy tissues, leading to inflammation and damage in various parts of the body, including the kidneys.
Selena’s Battle with Lupus
Selena Gomez was diagnosed with lupus several years ago, and the disease has played a significant role in her life and career. In 2017, she underwent a life-saving kidney transplant as a direct result of complications from lupus. The transplant, which was necessary to save her life, was made possible thanks to her close friend Francia Raisa, who donated one of her kidneys to Gomez. At the time, Gomez was vocal about how much the procedure and her friend’s sacrifice meant to her, sharing her story with the world in the hopes of raising awareness about lupus and the importance of organ donation.
Lupus can have a wide range of symptoms, from fatigue and joint pain to more serious complications like kidney failure, which Gomez experienced. While the condition can be managed with medication, it is incurable, meaning Gomez will live with it for the rest of her life. The medications she takes to control her lupus, along with the other medical issues she faces, have made the prospect of carrying her own child too risky. This knowledge has been incredibly difficult for Gomez to accept, as she had always envisioned having children naturally.
Mental Health Struggles: Bipolar Disorder
In addition to her physical health issues, Gomez has also been open about her struggles with mental health, particularly her diagnosis of bipolar disorder. Bipolar disorder is a mental health condition characterized by extreme mood swings, including episodes of depression and mania. Gomez first revealed her diagnosis in 2020, and since then, she has worked to break the stigma surrounding mental illness by speaking candidly about her experiences and seeking treatment.
Her documentary My Mind and Me gave fans an intimate look at her mental health journey, showcasing the ups and downs she has faced while living with bipolar disorder. The documentary highlighted how the condition has affected her personal and professional life, but also demonstrated her resilience and commitment to finding stability and peace.
In 2022, during an interview with Rolling Stone, Gomez revealed that the medication she takes to manage her bipolar disorder could potentially prevent her from having a safe pregnancy. For those living with bipolar disorder, certain medications are essential to maintaining mental health stability, but some of these drugs can carry risks for both the mother and the baby during pregnancy. This adds another layer of complexity to Gomez’s journey toward motherhood.
Exploring Alternatives: Surrogacy and Adoption
Despite the heartbreak of not being able to carry her own children, Gomez is not giving up on her dream of becoming a mother. During the Vanity Fair interview, she shared that she is considering other options, including surrogacy and adoption. These alternatives have given her hope and allowed her to envision a future where she can still experience the joy of motherhood, even if it doesn’t happen in the way she originally planned.
“It’s not necessarily the way I envisioned it. I thought it would happen the way it happens for everyone,” she admitted. “But I’m in a much better place with that. I find it a blessing that there are wonderful people willing to do surrogacy or adoption, which are both huge possibilities for me.”
Gomez’s openness about her decision to explore surrogacy and adoption is not only a reflection of her personal strength but also highlights the growing awareness and acceptance of these family-building options. For many women who are unable to conceive or carry a child for medical reasons, surrogacy and adoption offer hope and a path to parenthood that might otherwise seem out of reach.
A Personal Connection to Adoption
Interestingly, Gomez has a personal connection to adoption, as her mother, Mandy Teefey, was adopted herself. Gomez has previously spoken about how grateful her family is for adoption, and it’s clear that this personal history has played a role in shaping her views on the subject. “It made me really thankful for the other outlets for people who are dying to be moms. I’m one of those people,” she shared, emphasizing her gratitude for the different ways she can still build a family.
Adoption, in particular, holds a special place in Gomez’s heart because of her mother’s experience, and she sees it as a beautiful way to become a parent. Many of Gomez’s fans have praised her openness on this topic, seeing her as a role model for embracing different paths to motherhood with grace and courage.
Looking Forward: A Different Journey to Motherhood
Although her journey to motherhood may look different from what she initially imagined, Gomez is filled with excitement and hope for the future. “I’m excited for what that journey will look like, but it’ll look a little different. At the end of the day, I don’t care. It’ll be mine. It’ll be my baby,” she stated.
Her comments reflect her determination to embrace whatever path she takes to become a mother, and her focus is on the end goal: to have a child she can call her own. Whether through surrogacy or adoption, Gomez is confident that her dream of becoming a parent will come true, and she remains hopeful about what lies ahead.
Current Relationship with Benny Blanco
At present, Gomez is in a relationship with music producer Benny Blanco. Although she hasn’t spoken extensively about her relationship in the context of her plans for starting a family, Gomez’s openness about her personal struggles and her hopes for the future suggest that she is in a good place emotionally and mentally. Her relationship with Blanco is likely a source of support as she navigates this next chapter of her life.
Selena’s Resilience and Advocacy
Throughout her career, Selena Gomez has faced numerous challenges, both in terms of her health and her personal life. However, she has consistently shown resilience and determination in the face of adversity. Her openness about her struggles with lupus, bipolar disorder, and now her journey to motherhood has inspired millions of people around the world. By speaking out about her experiences, Gomez has become an advocate for those who face similar challenges, using her platform to raise awareness and break down stigmas surrounding both physical and mental health.
Selena Gomez’s story is one of strength, resilience, and hope. While her journey to motherhood may look different from what she originally envisioned, her openness and determination to explore other options demonstrate her commitment to living life on her own terms. As she continues to inspire others through her advocacy and personal story, there is no doubt that Gomez’s journey toward becoming a mother will be just as impactful as everything else she has achieved.
