Selena Gomez Champions Mental Health at Academy Women’s Luncheon
Selena Gomez took center stage Tuesday at the Academy Women’s Luncheon, highlighting the urgent need to prioritize mental health and to provide critical support for underserved communities.
Championing Quiet Struggles
“It’s about taking action to ensure that underserved communities have access to mental health resources,” Gomez shared, speaking at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. The singer-actor has been candid about her own mental health journey, revealing in 2020 she had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder.
To this end, she started the Rare Impact Fund and her Rare Beauty cosmetics line. The initiative pledges to donate 1% of all sales to the fund, in order to expand mental health services and education for young people.
“It’s about showing them that when we come together, we can make a real difference,” said Gomez, a Grammy and Emmy-nominated performer who recently won two Golden Globe nominations for her roles in “Emilia Pérez” and “Only Murders in the Building.”
“I know firsthand how isolation can make you feel at timesdesignated, she continued. “But moments like this, and talking to all these amazing women, it just reminds me that I’m not alone. We share. And when we stand together, we create a ripple effect that stretches farr beyond our own lives.
Honoring Achievement, Empowering the Future
Gomez’s message resonated in a room packed with some the industry’s most influential figures. The luncheon also celebrated the Academy Gold Fellowship for Women, a program dedicated to supporting emerging female filmmakers.
In attendance were a constellation of stars, including Ariana Grande, Olivia Wilde, Amy Adams, Pamela Anderson, Sarah Paulson, Regina King, Rita Wilson, Ava DuVernay and Awkwafina. Many flocked to the event in stylish attire courtesy of Chanel, the evening’s sponsor, a brand committed to women in film since its founder Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel saw a chance to empower women through fashion and film.
Gomez reflected on her experience working on “Emilia Pérez,” which she says featured “extraordinary” women both in front of and behind the camera. The film’s director Jacques Audiard fostered a collaborative environment where all voices were heard.
A Collaborative Spirit
“It reminded me of the power of community, supporting and lifting up each other — whether in film, music or life itself,” Gomez said.
Beyond her on-screen achievements, Gomez’s commitment to mental health advocacy extends beyond philanthropy. Her Rare Impact Fund stands as a testament to both her dedication to action and her belief in collective power.
“It is honestly such an honor to be in this room with so many women that I love and have inspired me throughout the years,” she said, concluding her powerful speech. “They continue to empower me, not only in our industry but around the world.”
