Selena Gomez Reclaims Title of Most Followed Woman on Instagram and Takes a Break from Social Media
Selena Gomez has regained the title of the most followed female on Instagram, overtaking Kylie Jenner.[0] As of Friday, Gomez has more than 382 million followers, while Jenner has over 380 million.[0] The milestone for Selena comes as Jenner is one of the most active influencers on social media.[1]
The decision came shortly after fans realized Gomez had commented on an old video of Hailey Bieber seemingly gagging at Taylor Swift's name.[2] Selena responded, “So sorry my best friend is and continues to be one of the best in the game.”[3]
Gomez then took a break from social media, explaining in a live video, “I'm very happy, I'm so blessed, I have the best friends, the best fans in the whole world and I just couldn’t be happier. I'm good. I love the way I am I don’t care, I’m big, I’m not, I don’t care. I love who I am. And yeah, I’m gonna be taking a second from social media, because this is a little silly. And I’m 30, I’m too old for this, so…but I love you guys so much! And I will see you guys sooner than later, I just… I’m just gonna just take a break from everything.”[4]
Gomez further elaborated, “People can call me ugly or stupid and I'm like, whatever. But these people get detailed. They write paragraphs that are so specific and mean. I would constantly be crying. I constantly had anxiety…I couldn't do it anymore. It was a waste of my time.”[5]
She further stated, “The only thing I have on my phone is TikTok because I find it to be a little less hostile.[6] There are wonderful things about social media—connecting with fans, seeing how happy and excited they are and their stories.[7] But usually that's filtered through [for me now]. I created a system. Everything I do I send to my assistant who posts them. As far as comments, my team will put together a few things that are encouraging.[7]“[6] The best part of social media is the ability to connect with fans, observe their joy and enthusiasm, and hear their stories.[7] For me, this is usually filtered through now. I devised a system. I have my assistant post all of my activities. My team will compile some positive feedback in terms of comments.[7]
0. “Selena Gomez surpasses Kylie Jenner as most-followed woman on Instagram” CBS News, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.cbsnews.com/news/selena-gomez-kylie-jenner-instagram/
1. “Selena Gomez becomes the most followed woman on Instagram, while announcing she'd take a break from” Marca English, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.marca.com/en/lifestyle/celebrities/2023/02/24/63f8039222601d00478b45f5.html
2. “Selena Gomez is taking a social media break” Entertainment Weekly News, 24 Feb. 2023, https://ew.com/celebrity/selena-gomez-social-media-break-following-comments
3. “Selena Gomez Is Taking a Social Media Break After More Hailey Bieber Drama: “I'm Too Old For This”” POPSUGAR, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.popsugar.com/celebrity/selena-gomez-hailey-bieber-tiktok-feud-49097434
4. “Selena Gomez deletes her TikTok account and fans are panicking” Dexerto, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.dexerto.com/entertainment/selena-gomez-deletes-her-tiktok-account-and-fans-are-panicking-2070125
5. “Selena Gomez Says She's Taking a Break from Social Media: ‘I'm Too Old for This'” PEOPLE, 23 Feb. 2023, https://people.com/music/selena-gomez-is-taking-a-break-from-social-media-im-too-old-for-this
6. “Selena Gomez Is the New Queen of Instagram” InStyle, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.instyle.com/selena-gomez-most-followed-on-instagram-7113339
7. “Selena Gomez reactivates TikTok after announcing break from social media amid Kylie Jenner feud rumours” The Independent, 24 Feb. 2023, https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/selena-gomez-tiktok-instagram-quit-kylie-jenner-b2288709.html
